AS/A Level Music
For copyright reasons the audio for past papers is only available for centre staff to download from the secure website.
The composing briefs are available to download from the secure website. Centres are reminded that the Composition to a Brief must show an understanding of the Western Classical Tradition. Updated logs sheets and forms for both Composing and Performing are now available to download from this page.
Effective from the Summer 2025 exam series, we will no longer be sending CDs to centres for assessments with audio content. This material will be available as an MP3 resource only, via Portal.
The Eduqas A level in Music offers a broad and coherent course of study which encourages learners to:
- Engage actively in the process of music study
- Develop performing skills to demonstrate an understanding of musical elements, style, sense of continuity, interpretation, and expression
- Develop composing skills to demonstrate the manipulation of musical ideas and the use of musical devices and conventions
- Recognise the interdependence of musical knowledge, understanding and skills, and make links between the integrated activities of performing, composing and appraising underpinned by attentive listening.
- Broaden musical experience and interests, develop imagination and foster creativity
- Develop and extend the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to communicate effectively as musicians.
- Develop knowledge and understanding of a variety of instruments and styles, and of relevant approaches to both performing and composing
- Develop awareness of music technologies and their use in the creation and presentation of music
- Appraise contrasting genres, styles and traditions of music, and develop understanding of musical contexts and a coherent awareness of musical chronology
- Develop as effective, independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds
- Reflect critically and make personal judgements on their own and others’ music
- Engage with, and extend appreciation of, the diverse heritage of music to promote personal, social, intellectual, and cultural development.
The Eduqas A level music course specification is designed to allow learners to pursue their own musical interests. Learners develop skills in the three distinct but related disciplines of performing, composing and appraising, whilst having flexibility to specialise in either performing or composing. Learners may choose to apportion 10% of their assessment to either performing or composing as an in-depth study.
The Eduqas specification is designed to offer contrast and breadth as well as depth of study. Learners will engage with both classical and popular music.
All learners will study the development of the symphony, engaging with landmark orchestral repertoire, which is important in developing knowledge and understanding of musical elements and language in context.
Learners will use the musical language of this period to compose one piece of music to a brief.
Learners will also choose one area of study from Pop and Rock, Musical Theatre
and Jazz and one further area of study exploring the musical language and styles from either the early twentieth century or the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
Any requirements set for entry to a course following this specification are at the discretion of centres. It is reasonable to assume that many learners will have achieved qualifications equivalent to Level 2 at KS4. Skills in Numeracy/Mathematics, Literacy/English and Information Communication Technology will provide a good basis for progression to this Level 3 qualification.
This specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills established studying GCSE music.
- Direct access to our subject specialists
- Access to our digital resources website which hosts a wealth of free material
- The opportunity to receive centre visits from our Regional Support Team
Important information, past papers, marking schemes, entry/amendment uploads & make post-results enquiries.
Grade boundaries are the minimum number of marks needed to achieve each grade.
An interactive map to support centres wishing to share experiences and ideas.
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