February 2006

ANOTHER STRING TO THE MUSIC SERVICE BOW?

The QCA have approved ABRSM Grades 6 to 8.

Pupils holding practical music and theory qualifications of Grade 6 and above will be able to ‘cash in’ for extra UCAS points when they apply to university. Trinity, London College of Music and Guildhall Grades 6 to 8 will also receive UCAS points. 'These exams demonstrate a high level of expertise and it is right and proper that they should have a way of being recognised.' said Dick Hallam, Music Advisor to the DfES.

However, when compared with the number of points awarded for A-levels, these music points do not fare quite so well. A Grade 8 distinction is equivalent to a D at A-level, with a pass at ABRSM Grade 6 measuring up as a D-E at AS-Level.

On the one hand, any UCAS points are good points and it’s great that music exams have been accredited, but on the other – how can a Grade 8 distinction equate to a D? As many of you will know from personal experience, a Grade 8 examination requires months of careful practice and hard graft. This is not to say that the ABRSM exams are not enjoyable, only that they are no small undertaking.

This ranking could be explained by the fact that ABRSM examinations are a one-off. For example, a student could complete a Grade 8 examination at a young age, and then not play their instrument for a few years. Upon applying to university, this student could claim UCAS points for their Grade 8 even though this is not a true reflection of their current standard of performance.

Logically enough, only one qualification can be stated for each instrument, including music theory. Practical Musicianship exams do not count, nor do diplomas, although there is nothing to stop a dipABRSM student claiming points for their Grade 8; even though this may understate their standard of playing. Sadly, whether or not these accreditations will actually make a difference depends on the universities to which students are applying.

Unless a student is applying for a course which offers places on a UCAS points basis, these music points are irrelevant. Where students are applying to study undergraduate degrees in Music, universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Southampton and UEA will continue to offer places on an A-level graded basis, whilst encouraging applicants of a high performance standard. Even the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music offer audition-dependent places on an A-level graded basis.

Also, in the music world everyone knows what 'Grade 8 standard' implies, so equivalent UCAS points will not be of great importance. Students applying to study non-music-based courses may find their music points more helpful, but only if the universities to which they apply are asking for UCAS points as opposed to A-level grades.

How will it affect Music Services?

UK Music Services play a crucial role in encouraging and facilitating music both inside and outside schools, and their services may become even more valuable as a result of the new UCAS music points. If a school’s pupils have more points with which to apply to universities, surely more pupils could be going to universities on the whole. Also, pupils may be able to access better courses at higher-ranking universities if they have a music points boost, which would reflect well on their schools

These music points are an important development for music services because they give schools a new reason to promote music tuition. Music Services are likely to find themselves increasingly marketable, and will be able to sell their services to schools by emphasising this new benefit of music tuition.

The next step must be for school targets to include vocational qualifications such as BTECs and performing arts exams. If these are included, they would provide a foundation for music services and schools to defend their corner and promote access to music tuition. If vocational qualifications are included in school targets, music services and teachers will be in a better position to uphold arguments over situations such as leaving a maths class to attend a piano lesson.

Music tuition – the sort provided by music services – ought to be seen as part of music education ‘at school’ across the board, and the QCA accreditation of music exams may be an important step in this process.

Of course, whether or not these extra UCAS points are aiding students in their applications to university is not the central issue here. In our experience, Music Service staff feel very strongly that music tuition is a vital part of any child’s education. Anything that serves to enforce this position is undoubtedly a blessing.

If extra UCAS points can be seen as a reason for involving more children in music, improving accessibility and encouraging higher performance standards then so be it. Time to add another string to your bow perhaps?

Thanks to the, QCA, UCAS, ABRSM, Dick Hallam MBE and the universities/colleges mentioned, all of whom were consulted for this article in order that we provide an accurate, credible and fair account of this situation.