Through Cecil Taylor's piano pieces Ratledge became familiar with the music of Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

Unlike his friends, Ratledge wanted to further his education, and studied at University College, Oxford on a scholarship, where he earned a degree in psychology and philosophy.

[6] At the same time, Ratledge attended music lessons, and was educated by avant-garde musicians Mal Dean and Rab Spall.

After his graduation, Ratledge intended to pursue American poetry at university in the United States, but his application for a scholarship was filed too late.

Ratledge built himself a studio and composed a score for the film Riddles of the Sphinx,[1] which utilised a prototype synthesizer which he constructed with his friend Denys Irving.