Study a Music Foundation course with OCA
Have you ever wondered how music can tell a story without words? Do you listen to the works of Stravinsky, Elgar, or Strauss and wish you could write something like it? Then this course is for you.
Our Open Foundations Music is a bespoke course designed to help you develop as a composer, musician, or music critic.
It will give you a firm grounding in many aspects of music, including music theory, basic composition and arrangement, and music history. You will also develop skills in the use of the notation software Sibelius which is integral to the course.
Whether you are starting completely from scratch or topping up your skills, our Open Foundations Music course is designed to give you a well rounded basic music education, taking you from beginner or novice to higher education ready.
During the course you will learn music theory to around Grade 5 standard (ABRSM/TCL). You will then be able to utilise this knowledge practically in a range of composition and music arranging tasks. You will also learn how to start writing about music, how to perform basic research and how to write academically. This will be in manageable chunks, and with personalised guidance from your tutor. The course helps students to learn independently and to reflect on their listening and learning experiences.
The course has five sections and, with feedback from your tutor, you can expect to make rapid progress. On completion of the course you can go with confidence to further study with the Open College of the Arts, or elsewhere, and be able to decide on the nature and direction of your studies or musical practice.
The course is suitable for students who are unsure whether they are ready to engage in degree level study and require a re-introduction to the subject, or to those who wish to study a single stand-alone course to develop their skills and understanding.
So don’t wait, get your creative energy flowing and enrol with OCA today!
Apply NowCourse Aims
The course aims to:
- Familiarise students with the language, history and terminology of music.
- Develop a solid knowledge of music theory and its practical application.
- Help explore and utilise the Sibelius* notation software.
- Encourage and develop independent learning and research skills.
- Prepare students for successful transition to undergraduate degree level study.
Course Outcomes
Through the course, you will:
- Learn music theory to Grade 5 (ABRSM/TCL).
- Gain skills to apply this theoretical knowledge to practical tasks.
- Develop basic compositional and arranging techniques.
- Have gained an understanding of the main historical musical periods.
- Have begun to critically reflect on your learning and listening.
- Have researched a personally chosen subject, with guidance from your tutor, and written academically about it.
- Have acquired basic skills in using the notation software, utilising it to organise and experiment.
Chris Lawry - Unit Leader for Foundations in Music
“I am primarily a freelance composer and arranger but also work as a session musician and accompanist, teacher and consultant, working with theatre companies, performing arts groups, media companies and schools in a wide range of styles.
I find that the varied work I undertake as a musician and composer positively influences all aspects of my musical life and teaching.
As a composer and arranger I specialise in concert, choral and educational music, taking inspiration from musical theatre, film and classical genres…”
Foundations
£935
Per course
Level 1 (HE4)
£4,500
For the level
Level 2 (HE5)
£4,500
For the level
Level 3 (HE6)
£4,500
For the level
Breakdown of costs...
Level 1 (HE4) |
£1,500 Per course unit (4o credits) |
All of the OCA’s Level 1 (HE4) course units are worth 40 credits each. If you’re studying towards an Open degree, you’ll need three Level 1 (HE4) course units to gain the necessary 120 credits to move on to Level 2 (HE5). Deposit is £415 followed by 7 monthly instalments of £155. |
Level 2 (HE5) |
£2,250 Per course unit (6o credits) |
Some of the OCA’s Level 2 (HE5) course units are worth 60 credits each. If you’re studying towards an Open degree, you’ll need two Level 2 (HE5) course units to gain the necessarry 120 credits to move on to Level 3 (HE6). Deposit is £545 followed by 11 monthly instalments of £155. |
Level 3 (HE6) |
£4,500 For the level |
OCA’s Level 3 (HE6) course units hold differing amounts of credits depending upon the given Open degree pathway. |
Foundations
£1,075
Per course
Level 1 (HE4)
£5,160
For the level
Level 2 (HE5)
£5,160
For the level
Level 3 (HE6)
£5,160
For the level
Breakdown of costs...
Level 1 (HE4) |
1,720 Per course unit (40 credits) |
All of the OCA’s Level 1 (HE4) course units are worth 40 credits each. If you’re studying towards a degree, you’ll need three Level 1 (HE4) course units to gain the necessary 120 credits to move on to Level 2 (HE5). Deposit is £530 followed by 7 monthly instalments of £170. |
Level 2 (HE5) |
£2,580 Per course unit (60 credits) |
Some of the OCA’s Level 2 (HE5) course units are worth 60 credits each. If you’re studying towards a degree, you’ll need two Level 2 (HE5) course units to gain the necessary 120 credits to move on to Level 3 (HE6). Deposit is £710 followed by 11 monthly instalments of £170.
|
Level 3 (HE6) |
£5,160 For the level |
OCA’s Level 3 (HE6) course units hold differing amounts of credits depending upon the given degree pathway, and therefore are varied in cost. For individual pricing, please see the individual course unit pages on this website. |
Fees, Funding and other costs
Foundation courses are ineligible for Student Finance funding, but we have deposit and instalment options available to help spread the costs.
There are also bursaries available for students on low incomes. See our fees and funding page for more info.
All students will need access to Sibelius or Dorico software (around £80 for the most basic version), and other general costs would be expected to be under £100 for the foundation course
Fees, Funding and other costsBA Creative Arts
Inspired by multiple art practices? Have a look at our degree in Creative Arts.
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