Accepting applications for September 2025 through Clearing
Apply for 2025Writing music for the moving image has become an increasingly attractive career option. Refine your composition, arranging and production skills and develop an entrepreneurial approach to working in the film music industry.
Looking to study in 2026? See BA (Hons) Film, TV and Games Music for 2026 entry
Film composers garner world-wide recognition for their work, and writing music for the moving image has fast become an attractive career option for composers seeking creative flexibility and a high rate of royalty-based income. Developed to meet the growing demand for fresh talent, our degree in Film Music builds on our established expertise in music production as well as our impressive roster of alumni who have gone on to compose work for independent films, Hollywood blockbusters and studios run by high profile practitioners such as Hans Zimmer.
This is the first course of its kind in a UK conservatoire to focus solely on the composition, production and context of Film Music. It combines one-to-one composition tuition, production sessions in Mac Labs, and a wide variety of supporting topics such as harmony, orchestration and historical, cultural and professional studies.
We have seven mixing rooms, including a studio with a 5.1 surround sound setup and HD projector, making it perfect for cueing up music with film footage.
Our six Apple Mac Labs are equipped with over 100 high-specification iMacs, MIDI keyboards and audio interfaces, as well as industry standard software such as Logic Pro X, Pro Tools and Ableton Live.
You’ll also have access to our unique and vast library of notated soundtrack scores and cues, most of which are transcribed by course leader Brian Morrell.
Each term students benefit from our links with the film music industry through our ‘Film Nights’, where they showcase their work to a live audience and a panel of industry professionals. Previous panel members have included Nicholas Dodd, Composer and Orchestrator (Avatar, Casino Royale and Independence Day); Harry Escott – Composer (Shame, River Deep State, A Mighty Heart), David Julyan (Memento, The Prestige) and Olga Fitzroy (award-winning recording engineer with Foo Fighters and Coldplay).
Graduates from Leeds Conservatoire have gone on to a wide variety of careers including Film Composers, Recording, Sound Designers and Producers. Find out more in our Alumni section.
“The one-to-one tuition is great. You get an hour every week of feedback on your work and expert knowledge that you wouldn’t get anywhere else.” – James Jarvis, Film Music graduate
If you choose to study the 4-year programme with Foundation Year, your first year will focus on developing you through specialist one to-one tuition, and strengthening your music theory and academic skills, as well as your creativity and artistry.
You will also have access to a weekly programme of workshops and masterclasses, as well as regular individual tutorials with academic staff. Upon successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will automatically progress to year one of the 2026-entry curriculum, and will work towards an award of BA (Hons) Film, TV & Games Music with Foundation Year.
Important note: There is no option to progress from Foundation Year onto Year 1 of a combined honours course, as these courses will not be running in 2026.
Specialist Group Study (Composition) Foundation
(for Classical and Jazz composers and all Film Music and Songwriting students)
Specialist Group Study (Performance) Foundation
(for Classical and Jazz performers and all Popular Music students)
Specialist Group Study (Production) Foundation (for Electronic Music Production and Music Production students)
Specialist Study (Composition) Foundation
(for Classical and Jazz composers and all Film Music and Songwriting students)
Specialist Study (Performance) Foundation
(for Classical and Jazz performers and all Popular Music students)
Specialist Study (Electronic Music Production) Foundation
(for Electronic Music Production students)
Specialist Study (Production) Foundation
(for Production students)
For students starting a course with Foundation Year in 2025, Years 1, 2 and 3 will follow the curriculum of the 2026-entry BA (Hons) Film, TV & Games Music course.
Please note: There is no option to progress from Foundation Year onto Year 1 of a combined honours course, as these courses will not be running in 2026.
Composing Music for the Moving Image
On this module, you’ll combine three key areas in composing for the moving image. You’ll combine individual exploration with collaborative sessions to establish a solid technical and creative grounding in how film music is conceived and composed. You’ll discuss various compositional possibilities, share your work and discuss films and film music at length with your peers.
Music Production for the Moving Image
You’ll explore the essential music production knowledge needed to understand recorded music and the sonic manipulation needed to bring authenticity and professionalism to music for moving image. Through combining theories and practicalities of music production, you’ll develop a rounded understanding of the craft of music production.
Understanding Film Narratives
On this module, you’ll deepen your understanding of the relationship between film and music and how music is used as part of the narrative process. You’ll learn the importance of the film script, thematic content and how to interpret narrative function in film, television and video games. You’ll look at creative and practical applications of film, both historically and currently.
Film Music Production in Context
On this module, you’ll focus on the important of mixing in music production for film, television and video games. You’ll work with relevant applications and software such as Logic, EastWest, Kontakt, Spitfire and Reason. You’ll develop the confidence to explore the functionality and operation of DAW software in music production.
Industry in Context
This module helps you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the film music industry. You’ll delve into the creative, artistic and commercial context behind music for film, television and video games. You’ll also examine key working practices and patterns within the industry, which will help to enhance versatile skills essential for a career in music for moving image.
Music for Visual Storytelling
You’ll discover how music plays an important role in visual storytelling, with weekly sessions exploring the art and craft of film scoring, looking deeper into the different aspects, such as composition, orchestration and how to illicit emotion in music in context of narrative films. Through a combination of seminars and lectures, you’ll develop confidence in discussing your work as well as films and film music at length.
Composing, Arranging and Orchestration
Continuing from study at level 4, this module will help you to foster a greater awareness of the professionalism expected from a composer working in an ‘industry’ context as a composer, arranger ad orchestrator. You’ll learn new skills and understanding of how film music functions and is used to communicate context and meaning.
Orchestration in the DAW
You’ll develop confidence in managing and manipulating sequencing software and sample libraries within the context of music production. You’ll acquire a high level of knowledge and understanding of how to compose and mix music in a moving image environment. You’ll use music production software and learn how to produce realistic and authentic-sounding film music.
Understanding Aesthetics and Meaning in Film
You’ll dive into the aesthetics and meaning in film, understanding what films are, the function and role they fulfil and how and why music is used and how it affects the commercial and artistic merit of film. You’ll discover how movies are essential in documenting the world we live in and how they’re used to make sense of our surroundings and lives.
Advanced Aesthetics and Meaning in Film
On this module, you’ll develop your knowledge of global cinema and its evolving role in Western culture and media. You’ll analyse foreign language films and television, commercial films, art films and documentaries. You’ll examine music’s crucial role in global cinema and how music be used to enhance film meaning and experience.
Advanced DAW Production and Synthesis
You’ll learn how to apply various music production software when composing music for film. You’ll develop confidence in how to operate, manage sequencing, sampling and synthesis performance applications relevant to music production for moving film.
Composing, Arranging, Orchestration and Transcription
This module builds on your knowledge of composing, arranging and orchestration for the moving image. You’ll discover ideas relating to composition, harmony, orchestration, and a greater awareness of transcription and score preparation. This module will help to building confidence in analysing a broad range of traditional and contemporary techniques and approaches to film music.
Research Studies
This module will allow you to specialise and delve deeper into a music-related area of your choice. You’ll have the freedom to explore a piece of written work to accompany the practical element of this assignment. You’ll develop key analytical and research skills needed to critically evaluate your chosen topic.
Film and Film Music Composition and Analysis
Building on knowledge developed at level 5, you’ll be able to develop a significant awareness of your compositional identity and how this related to existing styles and contexts in the film music industry. You’ll be able to refine and enhance your understanding of the creative techniques employed in film music composition.
Music for Video Games
You’ll discover the craft, techniques and concepts used in creating music for video games. You’ll learn how to analyse video game music and how practical elements, such as composition, can add to the narrative function of video game music.
Advanced Film and Film Music Composition and Analysis
This module will prepare you with the industry-standard skills and knowledge essential for today’s film composer. You’ll be able to master your craft as you refine your understanding of film music composition. Through 1-1 sessions, lectures and seminars, you’ll develop a highly advanced awareness of film music composition and how this translates in the industry.
Advanced Music for Video Games
On this module, you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of complex techniques used in video game music to progress narrative and give context. You’ll develop confidence in how to compose for this genre as you analyse examples and examine compositional techniques frequently used in this industry.
Each year of the course is structured into three distinct strands:
If you are at Grade 6 standard or higher in an instrument or voice, you can also choose to have additional 1:1 tuition in this area outside of your standard timetabled teaching.
This is not part of your course, but there are a limited number of Instrumental, Vocal & Composition Bursaries available, or tuition can be arranged at additional cost.
96 UCAS tariff points from level 3 studies or equivalent, which normally include A Level Music or a BTEC Extended Diploma in a Music-related subject.
A minimum of three GCSEs including English Language at Grade C / Grade 4 or above or equivalent international qualification, eg IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component).
64 UCAS tariff points from level 3 studies or equivalent, which normally include A Level Music or a BTEC Extended Diploma in a Music-related subject.
A minimum of three GCSEs including English Language at Grade C / Grade 4 or above or equivalent international qualification, eg IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component).
Read our full entry requirements to see more detail on musical performance and theory standards.
Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)
All applicants will be invited to submit a portfolio of material for assessment. You will then be invited to a short interview with our Film Music team.
Exact requirements vary depending on which programme you are applying for.
Find more detailed audition information for applicants.
Leeds Conservatoire does not charge audition fees for any Undergraduate or Postgraduate course.
For detailed information regarding tuition fees, payment options, and financial support:
If you are an international applicant, visit our dedicated International section of the website for information on:
Course Type: Undergraduate, Single Honours
Study Mode: Full Time
Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)
UCAS Institution Code: L30
Validated by: University of Hull
Leeds Conservatoire plans to apply to the Office for Students for Degree Awarding Powers. If we are granted Degree Awarding Powers, your degree may be awarded by Leeds Conservatoire rather than validated by the University of Hull.
Duration: 3 years
UCAS Course Code: W3W3
Duration: 4 years
UCAS Course Code: W3W4
Course Studied: BA (Hons) Music (Production)
Year of Graduation: 2013
One of Dan Suett’s many achievements since leaving Leeds Conservatoire was winning composer Hans Zimmer’s Bleeding Fingers competition, which let to him gaining a position as Staff Composer at the Bleeding Fingers studios in Santa Monica, USA.
Meet our alumni
Specialisms: Film music, composition, orchestration, music theory, music context, industry and culture
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Courses taught: BA (Hons) Music (Film Music)
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Courses Taught: BA (Hons) Music (Film Music)
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Courses taught: BA (Hons) Music (Film Music)
Read moreOur Film Music students can audition to join any of the conservatoire’s ensembles, as well as getting the chance to showcase their work to a panel of film music composers, such as Harry Escott, Nicholas Dodd and David Julyan, each term.
Find out moreLeeds Conservatoire Film Music lecturer, Brian Morrell, teaches students about harmonic tropes.
Writing music for the moving image has become an increasingly attractive career option. Refine your composition, arranging and production skills and develop an entrepreneurial approach to working in the film music industry.
Our six Apple Mac Labs are equipped with over 100 high-specification iMacs, MIDI keyboards and audio interfaces, as well as industry standard software such as Logic Pro, Pro Tools and Ableton. They can be booked at any time outside of lessons until late.
Find out moreFind out what it's like to study at Leeds Conservatoire by coming along to one of our Open Days.
As well as talks and tours specific to the courses you're interested in, you can also chat to our staff and students.
Plus, get immediate access to our On-Demand Open Day.
Open DaysFind out what it's like to study at Leeds Conservatoire by coming along to one of our Open Days.
As well as talks and tours specific to the courses you're interested in, you can also chat to our staff and students.
Plus, get immediate access to our On-Demand Open Day.
Open Days
The Cue Tube's library of un-scored clips, and associated audio assets such as separate dialogue and effects tracks, is an invaluable resource for aspiring composers and sound designers and is fully accessible to Leeds Conservatoire students.
The library covers a wide range of genres including animation, corporate ads, thrillers, live action, drama and comedy. The materials in the library are fully-licensed for re-scoring and use in coursework and student portfolios. In addition The Cue Tube is a truly global creative community and offers further opportunities such as competitions, masterclasses and is now in the process of developing in-house film productions for the library.
Our partnership with MediaTracks, an established and successful library music provider, powers our bespoke Quarry Music student library music platform.
Through Quarry Music, we support talent development within the music industry, while creating new, relevant and authentic compositions for clients and users of library music catalogues.
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Leeds Conservatoire is proud of its performance in this year’s National Student Survey (NSS), commissioned by the Office for Students (OfS).
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Following a successful collaboration at last year’s Sketches, involving a Music Production student from Leeds Conservatoire and a Northern Ballet dancer and choreographer, a new alliance was part of the 2025 programme.
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Leeds Conservatoire students, and soon-to-be graduates, are set to perform and complete paid work placements at Deer Shed Festival as part of a new partnership.
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