New Music Technology A Level Specification from 2017

A level Music Technology to be redeveloped from 2017

Ofqual has confirmed that AS and A level Music Technology is going to be added to the list of subjects that can be redeveloped for first teaching from 2017.

You can read more in the Ofqual document, ‘Further decisions for completing GCSE, AS and A level reform – Part 3’ on the gov.uk website.

In March Ofqual announced that AS and A level Music Technology was part of a group of subjects that were under review. We worked with the regulator to explore its concerns and provide evidence to mitigate them. We’d like to thank everyone who has been in touch with statements of support, which were included in our communications with Ofqual.

We’re looking forward to the next stage in the process where we will work with the Department for Education, Ofqual and a range of stakeholders to develop subject criteria and assessment objectives that match Ofqual’s 5 principles.

We’re planning to develop new AS and A level qualifications in Music Technology for first teaching from September 2017.

Old Posts…

Over the past few months there has been a lot of talk regarding a new A Level Music Technology specification for first teaching in 2017. As of this date (Jan 2015) there is no firm decision on the direction of this qualification.

Over the next year or so we will be continually updating this post as new information is received. We also invite you to comment below any thoughts that you might have regarding the new music tech A Level qualification.

So here’s what we know so far:

Ofqual consultation proposes A level Music Technology redevelopment

Qualification news | 6 June 2014

A level Music Technology is listed in Ofqual’s public consultation on GCSE and A level reform.

Ofqual’s public consultation on GCSE and A level reform invites consultation on the GCSE, AS and A level subjects that should be discontinued with last certification in 2017 and the GCSE, AS and A level subjects that should be redeveloped for first teaching from 2017.

Music Technology is listed on pages 23 and 24, as one of the AS and A level subjects suggested for redevelopment for first teaching in 2017.

The consultation will be open for eight weeks.

View and respond to the consultation on the Ofqual website.

An overview of what the new A Levels will like like in England after the reforms

What new AS and A levels will look like

The main features of the new qualifications are:

1. Assessment will be mainly by exam, with other types of assessment used only where they are needed to test essential skills.
2. AS and A levels will be assessed at the end of the course. AS assessments will typically take place after 1 year’s study and A levels after 2. The courses will no longer be divided into modules and there will be no exams in January.
3. AS and A levels will be decoupled – this means that AS results will no longer count towards an A level, in the way they do now.
4. AS levels can be designed by exam boards to be taught alongside the first year of A levels.
5. The content for the new A levels has been reviewed and updated. Universities played a greater role in this for the new qualifications than they did previously.

Reference, 16 December 2014: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/get-the-facts-gcse-and-a-level-reform/get-the-facts-as-and-a-level-reform

Decisions for Completing GCSE, AS and A level Reform – Part 2
Ref: Ofqual/15/5659
Published: 26 March 2015
PDF, 518KB, 13 pages
Hi All,

I know that some of you have received some questions about the future of A level Music Technology following Ofquals announcement last week. I wanted to send you all an update, if you get any questions or know people who are interested please feel free to share this.

On Thursday the 26th of March Ofqual announced the results of their consultation on ” Completing GCSE, AS and A level Reform “. The outcome of this consultation can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/gcses-as-and-a-levels-new-subjects-to-be-taught-in-2015

In the results of the consultation Ofqual sets out the subjects that are to be reformed for first teaching from 2017. AS and A level Music Technology is in the group – Proposed subjects still under review, full details are in the document “Decisions for Completing GCSE, AS and A level Reform – Part 2 ” .

We are currently having ongoing discussions with Ofqual about whether content can be developed for Music Technology that meets Ofqual’s principles. We expect to be able to confirm in April whether we will be able to develop new AS and A level qualifications in Music Technology for 2017.

Jo Cleary
Head of Non-Core Subjects
General Qualifications Product Management

Pearson UK
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