I think the great thing about my programme is the freedom to specialise in whatever areas of music I like.
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. We recognise this diversity and reflect it in our Music degree programmes, which address issues of creative practice, reflection, analysis and technology in a wide range of musical contexts.
Our Music degree programmes reflect the diversity of contemporary musical experience and the richly varied profile of music as an art form in today’s world. We provide you with opportunities to interact with as wide a range of music and music-making as possible. You gain insight into how you currently operate and how you might wish to develop as a musician. We also ensure that your learning remains relevant to the contemporary world.
Our three-year BMus degree explores musical repertoires past and present through integrated studies in classical/popular musicology, composition and performance, with emphasis on cultural issues, theory and analysis, music technology and practice-based learning.
We are distinctive in pursuing all these fields in our teaching and research, resulting in a highly stimulating environment for undergraduate musicians as scholars, performers, composers and future decision makers in the arts.
Unlike many other music programmes, we pursue all these fields in our teaching and research. You 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).
Performance, composition and the academic study of music have equal status in our degrees, so that our programmes are well suited to those aspiring to a professional career in any area of the music industry.
The range of subjects is especially broad. Western music from ancient times to the present day forms the backbone of historical and analytical studies, but modules in popular and non-Western music, music technology, film music and jazz are also available. In your second and final years, you may specialise in performance, composition, musicology or conducting.
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 with which you might want to engage can receive credit, and all disciplines are equally valued.
During Year 1, you are given a thorough grounding in the principles of music, plus the opportunity to choose a number of optional subject areas.
Compulsory modules include:
Optional modules include:
In Years 2 and 3, you study one or two core modules in addition to a wide range of optional modules. You are able to select modules according to your own interests, allowing you the freedom to design your own programme of studies (with staff guidance).
Compulsory modules include:
Optional modules include:
Our four-year programme involves a twelve-month professional placement during the third year. Our degree 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 placement year. It is ideal for you if you are interested in gaining experience in music administration or management.
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.
Optional modules include:
*Compulsory for four-year programme
The third year of our four-year Music (W301) degree programme is spent away from the University, working in a professional role for major arts and music organisations. The senior Professional Training tutor works with you to prepare you for the placement period and helps 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 are 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 you to get that all-important first job or move on to postgraduate study.
On our degree programmes, you attend a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. All are encouraged to participate in the many practical performance opportunities on offer. 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.
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.
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.
Graduates over the last few years entered employment in roles such as:
The School of Arts 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 School 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.
Come to one of our Open Days, when you can tour the campus, speak to students and academic staff, see our student accommodation and ask as many questions as you like. In the meantime, order a personal prospectus – tailored to only include the subjects that interest you.
GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above (or equivalent). A-level Music grade A (or equivalent) required. Normally, applicants taking performance will be required to have achieved grade 7 or 8 ABRSM (or equivalent) in their primary instrument.
Offers are normally made in terms of grades. Suitable candidates may be invited for an interview or audition. During the visit to the University the candidate can find out more about the programme and meet staff and students.
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill (or equivalent).
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
| Award | Course Length | Professional Training | UCAS code | KIS code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMus (Hons) | 3 years | W300 | View KIS data set | |
| BMus (Hons) | 4 years | W301 | View KIS data set |
We offer a range of bursaries, scholarships and other financial support.
See course information for students applying to start in September 2013.
Phone: +44 (0)1483 681 681
