Leeds Conservatoire

Study at Leeds Conservatoire and become part of a dynamic, creative community with great links to the industry. We are specialists in our field, offering one-to-one tuition and performance and collaboration opportunities. Our courses are taught by professionals and you have the chance to work with industry experts in incredible masterclasses. Leeds Conservatoire is a leader in Music education introducing the first Jazz degree in Europe and being the first to offer Popular Music and Music Production in the UK. We are the largest Conservatoire in the UK and the only one in England with All-Steinway status. We offer outstanding music and performing arts courses that are specialized and industry-focused to prepare you for the future.

Our world-class facilities will equip you with the tools to learn and create. You’ll find industry-standard equipment and software in all of our studios, and have access to high-spec rehearsal rooms, and top-notch instrument and equipment loan. Our new facilities in Playhouse Square include two purpose-built dance and drama studios and bespoke rehearsal spaces for our drama students. Often named the best student city in the UK, Leeds has one of the most vibrant music scenes in the UK with an impressive range of over 200 venues and regular events and festivals. With something going on all the time in this rich cultural city, Leeds is a fantastic backdrop to studying music or drama. As a small and specialist institution, we are renowned for being a friendly conservatoire with a close-knit community.

Our supportive tutors will help you to get the most out of your study, whilst our amazing Student Services team is on hand to offer help and guidance with all aspects of student life – including finance, accommodation options, health and wellbeing, and study skills support.

Visa Requirements - the Points Based System

You must be able to score 70 points as detailed below to be able to apply for a Student Visa:

Study - 50 points

• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies requirement
• Course requirement
• Approved qualification requirement
• Level of Study requirement
• Place of Study requirement

Once you have received an unconditional offer, which is attained by applicants who meet our entry requirements, you will be required to pay 50% of your first year’s tuition fees. Once we have received your payment, the Admissions and Registration Team will ask you to complete a CAS request form.

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is unique to each applicant and contains personal details and information related to their course of study. You will need the reference number from your CAS in order to apply for your visa. As part of our pre-CAS checks, we may ask for a range of further details, which are referred to in sections below.

We reserve the right to refuse to assign a CAS if we do not believe an applicant will meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules. We must only assign a CAS where we reasonably believe that the applicant is able to meet the requirements of the Student Route under which we assign the CAS to ensure that we are fully compliant with the UKVI immigration laws in our duty as a Sponsor.

Financial Requirements - 10 points

To successfully qualify for a visa, UK Visas and Immigration need to know that you can support yourself while living in the UK. Further details can be found in the UK government's student visa information - money section.

Please note that where necessary Leeds Conservatoire may conduct checks regarding this requirement. For example, we may check that your personal bank statements have the required funds for 28 consecutive days prior to issuing your CAS.

English Language Requirements - 10 points

Having the necessary standard of English is a key requirement for both qualifying for your course and obtaining a visa.

You will need to meet a particular level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale in an English language test, as set by the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) department. For degree level study this is CEFR level B2 or above.

The English Language requirement for studying at Leeds Conservatoire is to score the equivalent of IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test/section lower than 5.5. While IELTS is commonly taken, if you have an alternative English Language qualification please contact the Admissions and Registration Team who will be able to confirm its equivalency, or if you don't yet meet requirements may sign-post you on what to take.

Please note that before applying for a visa you will need to obtain an unconditional offer from Leeds Conservatoire.

We will assess how you meet the course entry requirements and the English Language requirement as part of your application to study with us. Non-UK academic qualifications are assessed using guidance from UK NARIC. If your application to your course is successful, we will advise what documents you will need to provide in order to meet the course and English Language requirement for an unconditional offer.

Additionally, please note that applicants to our Foundation Degrees in Music Production and Electronic Music Production are not eligible for a Student Visa - this does not affect applicants to our three year BA Production course.

Applying for your Student Visa

Once you have received your CAS from Leeds Conservatoire you will need to apply online for your Visa. You will also be required to make an appointment at a Visa Application Centre to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and facial photograph).

If you have a current immigration status in the UK, it may be possible for you to apply for your Student Visa within the UK. You should contact an independent immigration advisor for clarification of your circumstances.

You will need the following documents for your application:

• Current passport
• CAS issued by Leeds Conservatoire
• Any academic evidence stated on your CAS. You must bring the original documents to your appointment. If any of your documents are not in English you must also provide a fully certified translation by a professional translator.
• Any English language evidence is stated on your CAS.
• Proof that you have enough money to pay the remaining tuition fees for the first year of your course, as well as the appropriate amount of maintenance. This money must have been in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days and within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa. There may be circumstances where you will not need to provide proof of enough money to support yourself – further details can be found in the UK government's student visa information - money section.
• In some circumstances, the UK Visas and Immigration department may invite you for a credibility interview before making the decision on your Student Visa application. These interviews will be conducted in English, meaning the interviewing officer will assess your English Language ability. They will also ask questions about your reasons for coming to the UK, and details about the course you are coming to study.
• Depending on which country you are based in, you may be required to present a Tuberculosis Certificate.

Learning Facilities & Services

Students have access to our excellent industry-standard facilities until late during term time. That means more time composing, recording, and performing.

• Steinway pianos:

We’re the only English conservatoire to hold the coveted All-Steinway School status. They host everything from daily practice to virtuoso masterclasses to the Leeds International Piano Competition. We became an All-Steinway School in 2011, joining the likes of Yale University's School of Music and the Juilliard School, in New York. Discover more on the Official UK Steinway & Sons Website.

• Performance spaces:

find out about our 350-seat auditorium and 120-seat Recital Room. We host gigs, recitals, workshops, masterclasses, talks from industry professionals, lunchtime concerts and film showcases in The Venue and Recital Room.

The Venue

Our state-of-the-art 350-seat auditorium is a flexible and inviting space. The Venue is fitted with theatre lighting and sound equipment, and high-power projection onto a large motorised screen.It also houses two Steinway Model D concert grand pianos.

Recital Room

The Recital Room seats up to 120 people and has a built-in audio system and high-power projection. It is also home to a Steinway Model C concert grand piano.

Cafe bar & Rooftop bar

It also doubles as a performance space, hosting open mic nights, pub quizzes, Week events, and parties in conjunction with the Students' Union.

• Drama & Dance facilities :

Three large rehearsal spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows, two large dance studios, a green room and two breakout areas complete this dedicated performing arts space.

In addition, performing arts students will showcase their work and undertake productions in a 180-seat purpose-built theatre.

• Studios, DJ suite & Mac Labs :

Professional recording suites

We have 6 professional recording studios, each with a mixing console.

Consoles

The conservatoire has four Audient ASP8024 mixing consoles, one ASP4816 console and one SSL 4000G.

Live rooms

Each control room has at least one live room attached to them. They differ in size, from the larger rooms like 113, where a band can separate its musicians and have them perform in different corners of the room, to the smaller rooms where one or two musicians can perform. You’ll learn which rooms are best for different instruments, and how changing the position in the room can produce different results.

Mixing Studios

The Conservatoire has 7 various mixing rooms.

Overdubbing

Mixing for film

One of our studios has a 5.1 surround sound setup and an HD projector, making it perfect for cueing up your sound effects and music with film footage.

Software & A/D Conversion

Each studio has a Mac running Pro Tools 12 and Logic X, (including 2 Pro Tools HD studios) and has a Lynx Aurora converter to keep your recordings sound clean all the way from analogue to digital.

Preamps & Effects

The outboard varies from room to room, however, you will find industry-standard equipment such as

• Neve 1073DPA Preamps
• Neve 8803 Dual EQ
• Empirical Labs Distressor
• Earthworks 1024 ZDT Preamps
• Bricasti M7 Reverb
• API 2500 Compressor
  • Neve 1073DPA Preamps
  • Neve 8803 Dual EQ
  • Empirical Labs Distressor
  • Earthworks 1024 ZDT Preamps
  • Bricasti M7 Reverb
  • API 2500 Compressor

We also would like you to know what other great facilities we have, for details please see: Industry Standard Recording and Mixing Studios - Leeds Conservatoire

• Rehearsal rooms

Music students have access to a range of band rooms, ensemble rooms and practice rooms, each created with musicians in mind. Rehearsal Rooms - Leeds Conservatoire

• Equipment & Instrument loans

Students can borrow instruments and equipment to support recording, mixing and rehearsing. Equipment & Instrument Loans - Leeds Conservatoire

• Library & Jazz Archives

The Library offers access to extensive online and physical music resources, a varied study environment and a range of tailored support to help in the conservatoire's mission in developing industry-relevant, creative and ambitious musicians, performers and entrepreneurs.

• Technology-enhanced learning

At Leeds Conservatoire we strive to deliver relevant, progressive, and forward-thinking creative arts education. Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is integral to our learning and teaching delivery, with a pedagogy-first approach that is underpinned by the conservatoire’s learning and teaching strategy. Development of our TEL approach is informed by the student and academic staff consultation through the Student’s Union, Staff-Student forum and TEL research.

In short, this means we use our technology to make learning better, and we listen to what our learning community needs to make sure that happens.

Our TEL and AV teams provide and support technology-enhanced learning. They are a friendly bunch and are always up for a chat about learning and teaching, technology, or to provide support.

and so on...

Student support:

Student support has experienced staff who can help with most of the issues, our teams include

Disability support, Fees and Funding, Health and wellbeing, Performer's wellbeing, well-being for international students, Harassment and sexual misconduct, and so on.

Accommodation:

Living alongside like-minded music and performing arts students will help you quickly settle into your new student life at Leeds Conservatoire. Our professional team members will always help you to settle down.