Introduction
Why choose AQA for A-level Music
Music is constantly evolving, inspiring creativity and expression in a way that no other subject can. That's why we have designed a relevant and contemporary A-level qualification that offers your students the chance to study a wide range of musical genres. Our A-level brings listening, performance and composition to life in new and engaging ways, and links to the world around us like never before.
We know that every student has different learning styles and musical tastes, which is why our A-level values all music styles, skills and instruments. Broaden your students’ minds and foster a love of all music with a qualification that students of all abilities and backgrounds will enjoy.
You can find out about all our Music qualifications at aqa.org.uk/music
A specification designed for you and your students
Our specification and assessments have been designed to the highest standards, so that teachers, students and their parents can be confident that an AQA award provides an accurate measure of students' achievements.
The flexibility of the previous specification has been retained so that students can focus on an area of personal interest and you can create courses which play to your school or college's strengths.
The specification supports progression to higher education in music and related subjects, as well as providing all students with a platform to inspire a lifelong interest and enjoyment of music.
It also offers logical progression from GCSE as the assessment objectives, structure and titles are very similar to those specified in the AQA GCSE Music specification.
Teach AS and A-level together
The specification has been designed to enable AS and A-level students to be co-taught. For example, you may deliver the course to AS and A-level students in the same year group, as well as give AS students the option to progress onto the full A-level.
At the start of the course, to ensure you are clear about the standards at AS and A-level, review the A-level Music performance descriptions and the online exemplification materials provided on e-AQA. Please also see Assessment criteria.
Support and resources to help you teach
We’ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will help you confidently plan, teach and prepare for exams.
Teaching resources
Visit aqa.org.uk/7272 to see all our teaching resources. They include:
- Schemes of work: a variety of ideas across all titles to help you plan your course with confidence
- Good practice guides: to help you to inspire and challenge students to think creatively
- Teachers guides: detailed guides for the set works to help you to support your students in all areas of the specification
- Suggested listening lists: details of tracks/works for named artists/composers to help you prepare your students for the written exam.
- Exemplification materials: to showcase sets of students' work supported by examiner commentaries and guidance.
Support service
- Training courses: to help you deliver AQA Music qualifications
- Subject expertise courses: for all teachers, from newly-qualified teachers who are just getting started to experienced teachers looking for fresh inspiration.
- Music advisory service: each school or college is allocated a subject adviser. You can contact them for one-to-one advice on any aspect of the subject, assessment and/or support with planning and delivery of course content.
- Subject community: provides access to free resources and services offered by music venues, organisations and charities.
- Support meetings: to help you with course delivery; offering practical teaching strategies and approaches that really work.
- Teacher network group: this group has been set up to allow teachers to contact colleagues at other centres to share ideas about resources and teaching strategies for the AQA specification.
To find out more about our support service visit aqa.org.uk/7272
Preparing for exams
Visit aqa.org.uk/7272 for everything you need to prepare for our exams, including:
- past papers, mark schemes and examiners’ reports
- specimen papers and mark schemes for new courses
- Exampro: a searchable bank of past AQA exam questions
- exemplar student answers with examiner commentaries.
Analyse your students' results with Enhanced Results Analysis (ERA)
Find out which questions were the most challenging, how the results compare to previous years and where your students need to improve. ERA, our free online results analysis tool, will help you see where to focus your teaching. Register at aqa.org.uk/era
For information about results, including maintaining standards over time, grade boundaries and our post-results services, visit aqa.org.uk/results
Keep your skills up-to-date with professional development
Wherever you are in your career, there’s always something new to learn. As well as subject-specific training, we offer a range of courses to help boost your skills.
- Improve your teaching skills in areas including differentiation, teaching literacy and meeting Ofsted requirements.
- Prepare for a new role with our leadership and management courses.
You can attend a course at venues around the country, in your school or online – whatever suits your needs and availability. Find out more at coursesandevents.aqa.org.uk
Help and support available
Visit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at aqa.org.uk/7272
If you'd like us to share news and information about this qualification, sign up for emails and updates at aqa.org.uk/keepinformedmusic
Alternatively, you can call or email our subject team direct.
T: 01483 437 750
