Minimum entry requirements

Required subjects

English language requirements

Other suitable qualifications

Selection process

 Programme overview

Music is a creative art practised by composers and performers, a form of cultural expression experienced by a worldwide audience and a technical practice involving the engineering and design of sound. Our Department recognises this diversity and reflects it in our Music programmes, which address issues of creative practice, reflection, analysis and technology in a wide range of musical contexts. 

Unlike many other music departments, we pursue all these fields in our teaching and research. You will benefit from our expertise across the spectrum of musical activity (classical/concert music, popular music, screen music, opera, jazz, world music, and acoustic, electronic and computer-generated music). 

The result is an unusually stimulating environment for undergraduate musicians, whether you are interested in performance, composition, musicology, music technology or the music industry. 

Our curriculum is structured so that almost any musical activity you might want to engage in can receive credit, and none is regarded as being of less intrinsic value than any other. 

During year 1 you will be given a thorough grounding in the principles of music, plus the opportunity to choose a number of optional subject areas. 

In year 2 and year 3 you will study one or two core modules in addition to a wide range of optional modules. You will be able to select modules according to your own interests, allowing you the freedom to design your own programme of studies (with staff guidance). 

The four-year programme involves a twelve-month professional placement during the third year. The programme combines all the benefits of the three-year BMus, together with a number of core modules related to music and arts management to prepare you for, and consolidate upon, the Professional Training year. It is ideal for you if you are interested in gaining experience in music administration or management. 

As an undergraduate at the University of Surrey, your time will be spent studying, performing, creating and listening to music in a rich variety of styles. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow students in music, sound recording, creative music technology, dance, film and theatre, as well as with leading visiting professionals working in a variety of fields.

 Programme structure

The third year of our four-year Music (W301) programme is spent away from the University, working in a professional role for major arts and music organisations. The senior Professional Training tutor will work with you to prepare you for the placement period and help you to choose and organise an appropriate placement and host organisation. 

Types of placement are varied and can take place anywhere in the country, although many have been London-based. Recent students have worked in areas of music management and administration, concert management, music education, marketing, music publishing, venue management, on and off-line record labels and music retail. 

Organisations/companies that have participated in the scheme include the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Opera House, Schott Music Publishing, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, South Hill Park Arts Centre, HMV, the Royal School of Church Music, the Orchestra of St Johns (OSJ), Faber Music Publishers, Sherriff Rosebriars Trust, State 51, The Point, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Signum Records and The Drill Hall. 

The placement experience helps our students to get that all-important first job or move on to postgraduate study.

 Graduate prospects

Graduates over the last few years entered employment in roles such as: 

• Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music – Theory Assistant 
• Royal Opera House – Musical Play Leader 
• London Symphony Orchestra – Discovery Schools Project Co-ordinator 
• Musical Associates UK – Box Office Manager 
• Warner Music UK – SLC Co-ordinator 
• Christchurch Cathedral – Teacher and Lay Clerk 
• Wigmore Hall, London – Learning Assistant 
• University sector – Arts Co-ordinator 
• Schott/Faber – Music Publisher 
• Music Producer – Kylie Minogue, Ellie Goulding, Lady Gaga, Timbaland, Katy Perry, Cheryl Cole 
• Signum Records – Label Manager

 Career opportunities

Our graduate employment record is excellent. The breadth of experience gained on our programmes equips graduates with numerous transferable skills and an invaluable sense of initiative and adaptability. You will find our graduates in almost every area of work within the cultural and creative industries.

Teaching

On our programmes, students attend a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. All are encouraged to participate in the many practical performance opportunities offered by the Department. These include choirs, orchestras, student-run ensembles, weekly lunchtime recitals, concerts of student compositions, masterclasses and recording sessions. 

Many students start up their own chamber ensembles and rock/pop groups. Short modules on computing skills, such as MIDI, Music Notation Software and Music Resources on the World Wide Web, are also available.

Assessment

Degrees are awarded on the basis of the assessment of coursework, end-of-semester examinations, projects, composition folios and performances. Most modules involve both coursework and examination, though a few are assessed by just coursework or examination. 

Year 1 marks do not count towards the final degree classification. However, they do determine whether students are able to proceed to year 2.

Performance opportunities 

The Department runs the University Symphony Orchestra, University Choir, Gospel Choir, Chamber Choir, Chamber Orchestra, University Big Band and numerous chamber ensembles. Recent artists, composers and ensembles that have visited for concerts and masterclasses include Mark Anthony Turnage, Richard Rodney Bennett and Clare Martin, Nikolai Demidenko, Jacqui Dankworth, Nicola Benedetti, Notes Inegales, John Williams and Paco Pena. 

The Department has a weekly lunchtime recital series featuring student performers, holds several larger concerts each semester and hosts regular performances by visiting professional artists. There are numerous opportunities for performing outside official University groups.