International Baccalaureate (IB) Music Diploma

Applications Open: 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: 27th February 2026

Application Details: At Hartsdown Academy we run the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme https://www.ibo.org/programmes/career-related-programme/ . Prospective students need to choose 1 Vocational Course (BTEC or OCR) and 2 IB Diploma Courses.

Entry Requirements: 5 x Grade 4-9 including Maths & English. A good attendance and behaviour record is also essential.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

IB Music provides students with the opportunity to explore and experiment with music both locally and globally. Students are able to develop a better understanding of the role that music plays within different cultures and contexts through the mediums of composition and performance.

Key Units:

• Unit 1 - Exploring music in context - 30% (HL - 20%)
  
• Unit 2 - Experimenting with music - 30% (HL - 20%)
• Unit 3 - Presenting Music - 40% (HL - 30%)

Higher level only
Unit 4 - The contemporary music-maker - 30%

Year 12 - all topics involve performance and composition

• Term 1 - Introduction to the areas of inquiry and music theory
• Term 2 - Film music and protest music
• Term 3 - Electronic music and exploration unit
• Term 4 - Experimental music
• Term 5 - Western art music
• Term 6 - Experimentation with music unit

Year 13

• Term 1 -
• Term 2 - Presenting music and contemporary music maker
• Term 3 - Presenting music and contemporary music maker

Unit 1 - Exploring music in context - 30% (HL - 20%)

• 2400 word report
• 1 x 1 minute composition
• 1 x 2 minutes performance

Unit 2 - Experimenting with music - 30% (HL - 20%)

• 1500 word commentary
• 3 compositions totalling 5 minutes
• 3 performances totalling 5 minutes

Unit 3 - Presenting Music - 40% (HL - 30%)

• 600 words commentary
• Compositions totalling 6 minutes
• Performances totalling 12 minutes

Higher level only
Unit 4 - The contemporary music-maker - 30%

• 15 minutes Multimedia presentation

5+ English and Maths and 3 subjects at Grade 4+

Taking the IB in Music can lead to a variety of music-related careers: performing, composing, arts administration, publishing, music journalism, TV, radio. the ever-expanding e-media, music therapy, and even teaching! However the skills and disciplines of the successful musician, both individual (such as meeting deadlines and self-confidence) and interpersonal (such as reliability in team membership and communication) are attractive qualities for any employer.

Music Universities

• ACM
• Guildhall School of Music and Drama
• Durham
• Bristol
• Bangor
• Leeds
• Royal Holloway

Composition

• Hull
• University for the Creative Arts
• Huddersfield
• BIMM

UCAS Points:

• Level 7 -28
• Level 6 - 24
• Level 5 - 16
• Level 4 - 12
• Level 3 - 6
• Level 2 - 0
• Level 1 - 0

IB Music can offer lots of future career opportunities too, such as;

• Music Teacher
• Instrumental tutor
• Film composer
• Video Game composer
• Foley artists
• Music supervisor
• Session musician