During 2003/4 a team from the University of Central England in Birmingham (now UCE Birmingham) undertook an evaluation of student perceptions of their music courses as part of the Birmingham and Solihull Learning and Skills Council review of music in the area. As well as identifying the wide range of courses available in the locality and students' perceptions of the teaching and learning they undertook, the research uncovered some significant issues about the nature of musical learning for those aged 14+ and the pathways and guidance that they received both before and during their courses of study.