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Jazz

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
UCAS Conservatoires
Awarded by:
University of Hull
More about Leeds Conservatoire

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Our BA (Hons) Jazz degree is a bold and performance-led course designed for passionate jazz musicians ready to explore, innovate, and lead. Whether you’re a vocalist or instrumentalist, this degree equips you with the tools to thrive – from technical mastery and improvisation to production, entrepreneurship and global collaboration.

From the start, you’ll be immersed in ensemble performance, jazz theory, and transcription work, building a deep understanding of jazz vocabulary and its cultural roots. Through workshops, recitals, and intensive one-to-one tuition, you’ll develop your own artistic identity while gaining the practical skills needed for a dynamic music career.

You’ll explore the global sounds and cultural influences that have shaped and continue to shape jazz music. From West African polyrhythms to Latin grooves and Arabic melodies, our Global Jazz Traditions modules bring fresh perspective to your playing and composition.

At the same time, you’ll learn how to thrive in today’s music industry. With guidance in entrepreneurship, music business, production and digital media, you’ll graduate with a robust portfolio and the confidence to manage your own projects, collaborations and career.

Cross-arts work and innovative performance projects push you to think beyond the stage and connect with wider creative communities. By final year, you’ll be recording, producing, and sharing work that’s ready for audiences and industry professionals alike.

Course details

Principal study options

During the application and audition process, you must select which instrument(s) you wish to specialise in for the duration of your course. On this course, you can choose from the following options:

Main specialism

Only one specialism is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.

Instrument/specialisms

For all courses, you must select at least one specialism from the 'primary' list. For those studying primary/secondary pathways, two instruments may be selected – one from the 'primary' list and one from the 'secondary' list. Joint pathway students may select any two instruments from either list.

Primary instrument/specialism
  • Clarinet (Jazz)
  • Double Bass (Jazz)
  • Drumkit (Jazz)
  • Electric bass (jazz)
  • Flute (Jazz)
  • Guitar (Jazz)
  • Piano (Jazz)
  • Saxophone (Jazz)
  • Saxophone (Soprano) Jazz
  • Saxophone (Tenor) Jazz
  • Trombone (Jazz)
  • Trumpet (Jazz)
  • Violin (Jazz)
  • Voice (Jazz)

Modules

Year 1
Jazz Language 1
Jazz Language 2
Jazz Performance 1
Jazz Performance 2
History of Jazz and African Music
History of Jazz & Central/South American Music
Year 2
Jazz Language 3
Jazz Language 4
Jazz Performance 3
Jazz Performance 4
History of Jazz & South Asian Music
History of Jazz & Arabic/Eastern European Music
Year 3
Jazz Innovations 1
Jazz Innovations 2
Jazz Performance 5
Jazz Production & Recording: Audio
Jazz Production & Recording: Visual

Assessment method

The course is assessed in a variety of ways to reflect the diversity of creative and professional practice. Assessment methods include recitals, coursework, musical portfolios, recordings, technical tests, presentations and written work.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 14 September 2026

Apply by
2 October

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
403F
Institution code:
L31
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Leeds Conservatoire has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

If you are an international applicant, or you are applying for a postgraduate course, or are choosing certain assessment locations, the 'on time' deadline may be later in the year - please contact the conservatoire directly.

Apply by
2 October

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
403F
Institution code:
L31
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Please visit the international page on our website for further information: http://bit.ly/UCAS-international-apply

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
96 points

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), plus 3 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above to include English Language.
Combinations of Level 3 qualifications are accepted.

A level

As per UCAS tariff

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

As per UCAS tariff

Access to HE Diploma

As per UCAS tariff

Scottish Higher

As per UCAS tariff

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

As per UCAS tariff

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

As per UCAS tariff

Additional entry requirements:
Applicants should also have achieved a minimum of three GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above.

UCAS tariff points from music graded exams are also accepted (highest achieved per instrument (grade 6 and above), awarded by ABRSM, London College of Music, Trinity College, Rock School).

All applicants will be required to either attend an audition or submit a portfolio of work.
Please see https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/audition for up to date details of our audition process.

English Language requirements:
All applicants must meet the minimum English Language requirement, as set by the conservatoire. For UK applicants this is GCSE English Language at grade C/4. Equivalent qualifications, such as Functional Skills English Level 2 or National 5 English grade C, will also be accepted.

For applicants that require a Student Visa to study in the UK, the standard requirement is IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test less than 5.5.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Audition
Portfolio

Assessment locations

In the event of a successful assessment, applicants may be invited for a further interview prior to being made an offer.

Remote assessment recordings may be accepted in the event that you cannot attend an assessment in person.

Single specialism assessment

LocationOn-time Fee
Online or in Person (All Applicants)No fee charged

Joint principal specialism assessment

LocationOn-time Fee
Online or in Person (All Applicants)No fee charged

Additional Information

Leeds Conservatoire wants to ensure that our application and audition process is fair and accessible to all. For this reason we do not charge an audition fee for any of our courses and are able to refund travel expenses for applicants from low income households for in-person auditions. Please see https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/audition for up to date details of our audition process.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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