Edexcel AS and A level Music (2016)
Inspiring the next generation of musicians
Here, you'll find everything you need to prepare for the changes to Edexcel AS and A level Music from 2016 (first assessment 2017 and 2018), including our accredited specifications and sample assessment materials.
Reminder: this AS subject is not available for assessment after summer 2020.
Our Edexcel AS and A level Music qualifications will enable you to teach engaging content through the context of our new Areas of Study and Set Works.
We have included suggested wider listening that relates to each of the Areas of Study to help you prepare students for appraising unfamiliar music in the exam, and gain understanding of the wider context or pieces.
We know your time is precious so we’ve made sure all the sheet music is available to purchase in one convenient Anthology, plus much of the audio music is available on our CDs to save you time looking.
You don’t have to buy any resources, including those from Pearson, to deliver our Edexcel specification.
Our straightforward assessment grids will enable you to understand what students need to achieve in their performance and compositions, and help you to track student progress throughout the course.
Our Edexcel AS and A level Music qualifications have been designed to give all students the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills of music whatever their previous experience. The qualifications support and encourage students coming from KS4 to want to progress onto AS and A level Music and beyond.
On this page
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- Qualification type:
- Advanced General Certificate of Education (A level)
- Level:
- Level 3
- Accreditation status:
- Accredited
- Subject:
- Music
- Specification codes:
- 9MU0
- Availability:
- UK and international
- First teaching:
- 2016
- First assessment:
- 2018
Getting started guide
- Qualification type:
- Advanced Subsidiary General Certificate of Education (AS)
- Level:
- Level 3
- Accreditation status:
- Accredited
- Subject:
- Music
- Specification codes:
- 8MU0
- Availability:
- UK and international
- First teaching:
- 2016
- First assessment:
- 2017
AS and A level Music 2016 - What's changing
These changes will apply to all awarding organisations’ specifications:
- The three key elements of performing, composing and appraising have been retained.
- Performing is worth 30% at AS and 25-35% at A level. Students have to perform for a minimum of 6 minutes at AS and 6-10 minutes (depending on the weighting) at A level.
- Composing is worth 30% at AS and 25-35% at A level. Students must compose at least two pieces for AS and two or three pieces for A level (depending on the weighting). One must be in response to a brief set by the board and the minimum time for AS must be 4½ minutes and 4-8 minutes at A level (depending on the weighting).
- Appraising is worth 40% and content has been given in terms of musical elements, contexts and language. Students must study at least 2 Areas of Study at AS and at least 3 Areas of Study at A level, one based in WCM composed between 1650 and 1910, and one that is not based in WCM.
Our approach
We have worked with the teaching community, higher education, learned societies and subject associations to design our new AS and A level Music specifications for 2016. We have developed music qualifications that you will know and recognise, and which will allow you to teach engaging content through the context of our new Areas of Study and Set Works, and ensure our AS and A level courses can be co-taught.
We have conducted our own research, including international benchmarking and trialling, to build on the strengths of our current specifications and to identify the skills that students need to progress to further study in music and music-related subjects.
Free Getting Ready To Teach events!
Our free Getting Ready To Teach events will support you in delivering the new Pearson Edexcel AS/A level Music specifications for first teaching from September 2016.
If you don’t have an Edexcel Online account, you can book by emailing us at trainingbookings@pearson.com.
Download the presentation
Didn't get to one of our launch events? View the presentation here.
This presentation was last updated on 8th October 2015.
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