From school to university: how well prepared are today’s music technology undergraduates?

What is the best grounding for a degree in music technology - A level Music Technology, a BTEC National Diploma or playing in a band?

The University of Huddersfield has recently embarked on a large-scale research project: 'Understanding the transition from school to university' with the focus on music and music technology.

As part of the research over 100 questionnaires were distributed to first year Music Technology students. The survey focussed on the areas, which were key to their first experience of studying for a degree.

As part of the analysis, comparisons were made between the responses of those who had taken the A level route and the BTEC National Diplomas route.

The survey revealed some interesting findings. For example, it was clear that students who had followed the BTEC route were better prepared than those who had taken the A Level in Music Technology, and that some students thought that their musical activities outside school were a better preparation for university than their work inside.