University drop-out Ellie Goulding is tipped to scale the music heights in 2010

A YOUNG woman who dropped out of university to pursue a career in music has been tipped by industry experts as the breakthrough act of 2010.

Ellie Goulding, whose music has been branded "folktronica", topped the BBC Sound of 2010 list, which has previously heralded the careers of artists including Adele, Mika and 50 Cent.

The 22-year-old has already been named as the recipient of a Brit next month as the Critics' Choice for this year.

The list of promising music acts, who more often than not go on to chart success, is compiled with the help of 165 music experts, including NME editor Krissi Murison, BBC Radio 2's Mark Radcliffe and Alison Howe, the producer of Jools Holland's TV showcase, Later.

Goulding, whose music blends acoustic singer-songwriter style with electronica, said she was "absolutely honoured" after beating such contenders as the Greek-Welsh pop singer Marina And The Diamonds and New York rock outfit The Drums to the top of the list.

She continued: "I didn't expect to get anywhere a few years ago. I didn't even expect to have a record deal, let alone be put in such a prestigious thing, so I'm very happy. I think the list this year is great and I really believe in a lot of the acts."

Goulding, from Kington in Herefordshire, learned to play the guitar and write her own folk-inspired music at the age of 15.

It was when she was studying drama at university that she was exposed to electronic music and, with the help of chart act Frankmusik, whom she contacted on MySpace, she developed her own sound, which has been likened to the music of Imogen Heap and Lykke Li.

Since leaving university and moving to London, Goulding has released the single Under The Sheets, which made it to No53 in the UK charts, and supported Little Boots – who topped last year's BBC Sound of 2010 list – on tour.

Goulding's debut album Lights is due out on 1 March.