Music

Please note that applications to the sixth form close on Wednesday 14th January 2026. If you wish to make an application after this date please contact the sixth form office at office@derehamsixthform.norfolk.sch.uk or call 01362 696884.

For more information about a place at Dereham Sixth Form College for September 2026, please visit the website - www.dsfc.org.uk

Course Instructions

Most students will choose the equivalent of 3 A Levels but in some circumstances a maximum of 4. These are subjects that will continue for the full two years. Select only one subject from each option block (choosing more than 1 course from the same block will delay your application as courses from each block are timetabled at the same time). All courses are equivalent to 1 A Level except where specified differently below.

Dereham Education & Soccer Academy Including BTEC Diploma in Sport (equivalent to three A Level subjects, no other subject choices required).

If your choice of subjects are not available due to limitations of the blocks, please email us with the details: office@derehamsixthform.norfolk.sch.uk

Music surrounds and permeates our lives in so many ways. BTEC Music is aimed at people who enjoy music and performing live. Although traditionally BTEC Music has focused on contemporary music, our course provides all students with a grounding in musical styles across a wide range of periods and genres. The course is vocational and therefore relevant to today’s growing music industry. The two year course is equivalent to one A Level.

Music is an excellent subject to study alongside other arts subjects. It is also a subject chosen to complement predominantly science or ‘paper-based’ subjects. Some students may use the course as a creative outlet alongside their other A Level subjects. It develops personal skills such as team work, self-motivation and independent learning, as well as fostering a broad, eclectic appreciation of music. This makes it an excellent subject when applying to university and people with BTEC Music have gone on to degrees in Music, Performing Arts, Arts Administration, Sound Engineering, Music Management, Law, Education, TV and Radio, Journalism, Retail and Music Therapy.

Numbers of students opting for this vocational-based course have increased rapidly, reflecting the good teaching, access to resources and opportunities to work with professional musicians as part of the course. We co-teach some lessons which enable students to form different types and sizes of ensembles and work with other experienced performers.

The course on offer is BTEC Certificate and BTEC Extended Certificate in Music Performance.

Year One: Certificate in Music Performance (AS equivalent)

Two units which consist of a mandatory unit plus one optional unit. The optional unit is selected to suit the group’s strengths.

Year Two: Extended Certificate in Music Performance (A Level equivalent)

Total of four units – two units from Year One plus two units from Year Two. The two units are both mandatory units.

The course will be suitable for those who have taken GCSE Music as well as those students who play an instrument or sing to a competent level (Grade 4 and above is a suitable comparison). You must be prepared to perform as a soloist and in groups.

Assessment

Currently, assessment is internal assessment for two units and external assessment for two mandatory units. Academic units are completed through a combination of written assignments, presentations and group projects, such as organising live events and performing across venues in Norfolk.

It develops personal skills such as team work, self-motivation and independent learning, as well as fostering a broad eclectic appreciation of music. This makes it an excellent subject when applying to university and people with BTEC Music have gone on to degrees in music, performing arts, arts administration, sound engineering, music management, law, education, TV and Radio, journalism, retail and music therapy.