A rock school’s glittering alumni are urging budding musicians to take up a free alternative to A-levels.

Nervous teenagers across the country will be opening their results with shaky hands, anticipating whether or not they have met the requirements for their chosen A-level courses or vocational studies.

But session musicians and high-flying artists who count Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) as their alma mater are encouraging young students to consider an alternative route.

For the first time, BIMM is able to waive the £1,000 fee it would normally cost to study a Level 2 diploma course, equivalent to four GCSEs, or a Level 3 diploma course, or two A-levels, for those starting in October.

For teenagers aged between 16 and 19, who are unsure about what subjects or career prospects they have, the Artist Development Diploma could be the perfect stepping stone at no extra cost.

The course is designed for students who have a solid ability in instruments including guitar, bass, drums, songwriting or vocals who may need help in becoming fully-rounded musicians.

Alongside developing performance and technical skills, students will also learn a fundamental understanding of the music industry.

Successful completion of the course could lead to a place on one of several degree programmes on offer and open doors to work with some of the top people in the music industry.

One former student who knows only too well the rewards of studying with BIMM is 28-year-old Charlie McClean.

After sailing through her GCSEs with mainly A*s and As, Ms McClean lost her focus, which resulted in her passing few of her A-level exams.

Knowing she had not fulfilled her potential she began to take steps to plan her future, which led her to Brighton and BIMM.

Ms McClean nowworks as a session musician and vocalist after leaving BIMM with a first class honours degree and currently works with songwriting supremo Biff Stannard as his assistant and studio engineer.

She has also worked with the likes of Ellie Goulding, One Direction, Pixie Lott, the newly reformed original Sugababes, MKS, Little Mix and Susan Boyle as a backing vocalist, and established herself as a talented engineer.

She said: “BIMM taught me not only how to achieve this, but how to build my confidence, better myself as a player and plan for a long-lasting career that satisfies me both creatively and financially.”

Ms McClean is just one of a long list of alumni who have found their dream careers through studying at BIMM.

Jenn Haneef, 23, is another example of a BIMM graduate walking straight into the job of their dreams just weeks after graduating.

For the past three years, Jenn has been working for Yamaha as an inhouse drum tutor, demonstrating Yamaha’s musical equipment as well as teaching groups and individual students.

American-born 22-year-old Ed Prosek’s career highlight to date was being asked to perform a version of the Simon and Garfunkel hit Homeward Bound for a major TV commercial.

Paul Simon listened to all four versions Mr Prosek prepared and selected the final one to be used for the commercial.

Mr Prosek said: “My time spent at BIMM has allowed me to come into contact with some of the best musicians that I’ve ever met.”

There are still places available on the October diploma course.

For more information call 0844 264 6666.