“To provide individuals with the opportunity to excel in personal achievements
through the art of learning and playing their music with passion.”
Welcome to our website. Below is the overview of our 2024 to 2025 academic year.
Introduction
Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Homework Assignment
I-Play Music Mock Exam
Additional Information
Introduction
I-Play Music (also known as IPM), is a musical artist development centre for performance. We provide two terms of intensive training for individuals, autumn (September to December), and spring (January to March). New to the syllabus will be the inclusion of reading, writing, and recording instrument parts. For example, recording the entire bassline accurately and transcribing it to a full music notation or score.
In the summer term (April to July), students showcase their skills in bands at the IPM Concert and Presentation Awards (CAPA); this is held on the second Sunday in July every year.
IPM is also affiliated with the RSL Awarding body for music exams. As a Private Examination Centre, we pride ourselves on being able to bring our Level 3 Music Instrumental and Music Production Courses from Grade 6 to 8, to our registered students. UCAS Points are assigned to these grades.
UCAS
What is UCAS?
UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service) is a clearing house for applications to almost all full-time undergraduate degree programmes at UK universities and colleges.
What are UCAS Points?
UCAS rates qualifications and awards them a tariff score based on various factors. The points accrued by completing multiple qualifications which are on the UCAS tariff can be combined together to meet University entry requirements.
What is the Tariff and how does it work?
UCAS tariff points have changed for entry to Higher Education in 2017 and beyond. All qualifications in the new system carry far fewer points than was previously the case.
All qualifications have been reassessed by UCAS and had a new rating applied. For example a Grade A* at A Level used to carry 140 points under the old tariff. The same A* grade would now carry 56 points under the new system.
All of RSL’s qualifications have retained their value relative to equivalent qualifications from other Awarding Organisations.
Which RSL qualifications have UCAS points?
Bass, Drums, Guitar, Piano, Keyboard, Music Theory & Production, and Vocals, Grade 6, 7, and 8, all have UCAS Points. The table below shows the UCAS Points…
Instrument Music Grades and Music Production
Grade | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
Grade 6 | 8 points | 10 points | 12 points |
Grade 7 | 12 points | 14 points | 16 points |
Grade 8 | 18 points | 24 points | 30 points |
Where a candidate has taken more than one exam in one instrument, they can only put forward the exam that gave them the highest number of points. Points awarded for music exams in different instruments can be accumulated, but it would be the decision of the university or college whether or not they choose to accept both sets of points.
Music Theory
Grade | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
Grade 6 | 4 points | 5 points | 6 points |
Grade 7 | 6 points | 7 points | 8 points |
Grade 8 | 8 points | 9 points | 10 points |
UCAS Explainedhttps://www.ucas.com/advisers/guides-and-resources/information-new-ucas-tariff-advisers
Homework Assignment
Every December, I-Play Music students are expected to complete the IPM Homework Assignment. This is to be submitted to the tutor at the beginning of the spring term (Refer to the IPM Standards of Admission Policy. In preparation for the mock exam, students must have completed Period 1 and Period 2 of the Homework Assignment. Once again the student is responsible for completing the assignment and submitting it to the tutor at the start of the spring term.
I-Play Music Mock Exam
The IPM Mock Exam is a matter of course and is IPM's standard procedure. If a student is not ready to take the scheduled mid-February mock exam, that student will most likely be deferred to the exam in March the following year. The I-Play Music Mock Exam is designed to closely replicate the RSL Awards Music Exam, providing valuable practice and preparation for the actual exam in March each year.
Graded Music Exam: Candidates performing a graded exam will be required to perform three songs, along with the remaining three sections outlined below:
. Technical Exercises
. Supporting Tests
. General Musicianship Questions
Performance Exam: Candidates opting for a performance exam will perform just five songs. The Technical Exercises, Supporting Tests, and General Musicianship Questions are not included. This option is typically selected by candidates with a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical aspects essential for outstanding performances.
Additional Information
At IPM we are dedicated to maintaining high standards and committed to enhancing our services.