AMS Online is an online music degree course provider.
Welcome to our FAQ section where you can find some of the most asked questions covering topics such as; The application process; fast track, finance, delivery/duration of the course, certification process and how to contact a member of our team.
I loved using AMS online for my degree programme.
It allowed me to create a schedule that worked for me around my job and other commitments. As someone who didn't really want a typical 'uni experience', AMS was perfect in that I could complete all my work from my home - as well as avoiding the dreaded fees. It was easy to get hold of my course instructor and mentor and receive feedback quickly from this. I would recommend AMS Online to anyone.
Keira Howatson, BA Hons, Music & Sound
About Applying
No. AMS online is a course provider. We work with The University of West London, and they are the validating institution (University) for our courses. AMS stands for ‘Academy of Music & Sound’, who have been working as a music course provider for over 25 years.
No, the application is directly through this website, please click on the apply link and fill in the relevant form.
Yes, if you are considered to be the right fit for the course you are applying for then our admissions team will invite you to a Zoom meeting to act as an interview.
Our team will go through the delivery model and how it works, and what you can expect from an AMS Online course. You will be asked about your musical background and how you will suit the programme and you will also be able to ask any questions you may have.
No, it is more likely that you will be asked for video or audio links to back up your application, indeed there is a section on the form for this, and your links will have been watched before the interview if you have submitted any.
As a minimum you will need to provide evidence of previous qualifications and ID. You may also need to provide Fast Track evidence if applicable.
In broad strokes, you will need a reliable DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and a solid internet connection, webcam, headphones and microphone. There are a number of additional items you will find you need, and a complete list of recommended equipment is sent out with offer letters.
This is also discussed at the interview stage.
No. Distance learning courses do not enable registered students to become resident in the UK. They are intended to offer students from all over the world the opportunity to take the course online, not to relocate to the UK.
About Fast Track
Fast Track is available to industry professionals that can provide robust evidence of 5 or more years’ experience working in the music industry. It means they can study just the BA (Hons) Top-up and gain a degree in 12 months without necessarily having studied the first two years. If you are better suited to the Foundation Degree, but don’t have a level 3 qualification, then Fast Track can also be used to gain entry onto the Foundation Degree.
No, you will have a full 360 credit BA Hons Degree, just the same as if you had studied for 3 years. This is because you are credited for your experience by the University with 240 credits at levels 4 & 5 on your grade transcript at the end of the top up year.
You will need 3 or more links to your work in music – these could be performances, streaming services, professional website, YouTube channels, Soundcloud pages etc. You will also need an up-to-date CV, references from two people that have worked with you in music, an entry essay and a successful interview via Zoom that will help inform us why you think you should be considered for the course.
No, you won’t have a certificate for the first two years, because you have been credited that for your experience, but you will be credited with 240 credits at levels 4 & 5 on your grade transcript after you have completed your BA year with us. This means you will have 240 credits at levels 4 and 5, plus 120 credits certified at level 6 (your top up) giving you the full 360 credits required for a UK undergraduate honours degree.
No. The process is different. For the Masters, it is called RPL, and it involves mapping all the learning outcomes of our BA Hons programme against your experience and prior qualifications. It is a long-winded and detailed process that cannot be guaranteed and can also take up to 3 months to be signed off. The most straightforward way to apply for the Masters is to have a BA first.
No. You cannot register to study two programmes of different levels at the same time and that is not what fast track is for. You should complete your BA first, then apply for the Masters.
Yes. If you have more than 5 years experience in music, and can prove that with links to your work, a full CV and references then you can be considered for the Foundation Degree, even without a level 3 qualification. The minimum age for such an application is 25.
About Finance
Eligible UK nationals and long-term residents are entitled to tuition fee loans for both the undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications (apart from those from Scotland or Northern Ireland). Those from further afield will need to fund their studies independently, or access their own student loan system in order to gain tuition fee support.
No. Distanced Learning Programmes that are validated for online delivery generally do not qualify for maintenance loan or grants towards living costs. Having said that student finance in the UK is judged on a case-by-case basis, and should you be in receipt of certain learning support diagnoses and/or a need for additional help you may find that you are eligible for additional support through student finance. When you apply for student finance your eligibility will be determined.
That is because AMS Online is a course provider, not an institution. The institution you will be studying with is the University of West London, so when the finance application asks ‘Where will you study?’ You need to answer; University of West London
No. Not for undergraduate study. The Scottish funding system for higher education is different to that in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As a Scottish National you will be entitled to undergraduate support for programmes delivered in Scotland, or in England (if you choose to relocate to England), but not for distance learning programmes.
Yes. unlike undergraduate study you will be entitled to funding for the Masters, please get in touch.
Unfortunately not. Student Finance NI will fund part of the fee for the BA hons top up, but you will be left with a deficit that you will need to fund independently. We keep our eye on all the GB funding options for all our courses, so if this changes we will update this page.
You pay our validating university direct (University of West London). After you have registered there will be a delay of approximately two weeks before you hear from UWL. You can pay in 3 instalments split 33/33/34, or in one bulk sum. Payment is via money transfer following invoice. There are no additional fees or interest added.
No, the fees are set in partnership with UWL and cannot be discounted.
No, there are currently no bursaries or scholarships available for these programmes.
About Delivery
Yes, students with special educational needs are fully supported on AMS online. In fact we have found that the 1:1 delivery system is very effective in this area. It is also possible for students in the UK that would not be able to travel to a campus in the traditional way due to a mental health condition to get the maintenance loan, and DSA support through student finance England for the AMS online courses.
This is a very common question and is difficult to put an exact figure on because AMS Online students all have different strengths when they join the programmes. If you study performance for example and you are already a seasoned performer with years of experience, then you will probably spend less time working on that module than a student with less experience.
By the same token if you are less experienced using a DAW you may find that you need more time on composition or media-based modules than on the performance ones. Applicants are quizzed at the interview stage about how much time they will be able to put towards their study, and this is judged on a case-by-case basis.
Students have access to all course materials through the AMS Online dashboard, which includes PDFs, audio files, video lessons and other materials (eg podcasts) and also the UWL Electronic Library. Students are also entitled to face-to-face video sessions on a weekly basis with their tutor, mentors and supervisors.
These sessions are arranged between the student and the member of the AMS Online team. As such there are no ‘live lessons’ and there is no timetable.
Yes, the model is designed to be able to work for those that are working; indeed; most AMS Online students are in full or part-time employment, particularly as most are freelance musicians.
Yes, AMS Online courses are validated for worldwide delivery, and the qualifications are internationally recognised.
All courses are written, taught and assessed in English.
Yes, so long as you can demonstrate competence with written and spoken English, our admissions team will guide you further on this following application.
Yes, there is an active AMS Online forum where current and former students regularly interact. There are also regular master class sessions and live casts on the various AMS Online platforms in a number of related areas. Employment, collaboration and research opportunities from external organisations, students, employers etc are shared with students as and when they arise.
No. AMS Online is much more like a traditional college. It is a single enrolment for a particular course of study, not single enrolments on individual modules. You will need to submit coursework to specific deadlines each semester and if you cannot do that you will need to apply for an extension, or if it is more long term, a mitigating circumstances form.
Only on the BA Hons Top-Up. The other courses are delivered full-time.
About Certification
No. You will be awarded a BA (Hons) in Music & Sound and the certificate will be no different.
Your certificate will say University of West London on it. AMS Online will appear in your grade transcript as a course provider, but not on the certificate itself.
Absolutely. All AMSOnline courses are validated by the University of West London and the qualifications are internationally recognised.
Yes, so long as the institution you are applying for is happy to accept applicants with a Full UK Masters Degree. In fact, 5 of our Masters students from 2022 have registered for the University of West London PhD, following their time with AMS online.
Contacting and Duration
This is a full-time pathway (4×12 week semesters studied over 2 years).
Full time 2 x 12 week semesters Part-time 3 x 12 week semesters
The course will last for one academic year, 3 x 12 week trimesters.
You can send us any queries via a form submission – HERE or call us directly on 03301-749696
If you have a question that hasn’t been answered here, you are welcome to get in touch – HERE