Five reasons to study a music degree at Surrey

Our programmes encompass a wide range of traditional musical styles, including classical music, opera, popular music, jazz, film music, and musical theatre, balanced with experimental electronic music creation and performance, immersive audio, recording and production, sound design, music for moving image and creative music programming. Our Topic Study and Music Project modules are based on the research interests and specialisms of our staff, and rotate each semester so that we offer an education truly unique to Surrey, with plenty of choice available to students. 

Here at Surrey we have a collaborative creative community full of an enormous range of inspiring musical opportunities and activities for all our students. Music and Media runs a symphony orchestra, choir and chamber choir, which are supported by many more student ensembles. We hold weekly recitals and regular performances from students and visiting artists, including termly concerts held in Guildford Cathedral and local venues. Twice a year, we invite the general public to join staff, students and alumni on campus to rehearse and perform a symphony, at our University of Surrey Orchestra Days . We also host ‘Intraspect’ every year, which showcases the electronic and alternative musical talents of special guests and our CMT students.  

And, since you’ll be studying alongside our Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) students, Games Design students and Film Production and Broadcast Engineering students, you’ll have no shortage of people to collaborate with on performance, creative practice, and sound recording projects. 

All our teaching is research-led, so you’ll be taught by experts who are leaders in their field. These include the musicologists and music historians Dr Christopher Wiley, Dr John McGrath and Dr Georgia Volioti, the composers Dr Tom Hall, Dr Tom Armstrong, Dr Milton Mermikides, and Dr Bill Thompson. Surrey is also home to the International Guitar Research Centre, and the Institute of Austrian and German Music Research.

We host regular lectures from visiting industry professionals and artists, including conductor Russell Keable, the Primrose Piano Quartet, jazz drummer Asaf Sirkis and composer Michael Price. Our programme of twice-yearly study days has included recent events on musical revision, composing using historical materials, and twentieth-century British song. Creative Music Technology students can also choose selected Music modules and benefit from the experience of music staff members, as well as a number of Associate Lecturers from within the music industry.

We’re recognised for our teaching excellence, too. Dr Chris Wiley, Head of Music and Media, is a National Teaching Fellow who has also a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (the UK’s highest awards for higher education teaching). Several other programme team members are Senior Fellows and Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. 

Music at Surrey is ranked 5th for overall student satisfaction* in the National Student Survey 2025. 

*Measured by % positivity across all questions for all providers listed in the Guardian University Guide league tables.

You'll get to use industry-standard facilities housed in the Performing Arts and Technology Studios (PATS) and the Elizabeth Fry building, purpose-built to acoustic specifications and fitted with professional studio equipment. 

Depending on your course, these include:

• PATS Studio 1 – a recently refurbished concert space that hosts our student lunchtime recital series as well as our orchestra and choir rehearsals, and is equipped with state-of-the-art recording facilities
• Ten music practice rooms, each with their own piano, with 24/7 access for music students
• The brand-new Immersive Mix Studio – complete with a Mac Pro running Pro Tools, Logic, and Reaper, Avid S6 console and a 9.1.4 immersive audio loudspeaker setup using ATC loudspeakers, allowing mixing for Dolby Atmos and other immersive audio formats
• The Synth Lab -– a specialist acoustically treated space showcasing our unique collection of vintage and modern synthesisers
• The Creative Music Technology Studio – a large space designed for both advanced immersive audio composition and playback, as well as electronic music workshops and performance
• Rooms for ensemble rehearsal
• Two Steinway Concert D Grand Pianos and a Steinway Baby Grand
• Bookable PA, guitar amps, stage pianos and drum kits
• Five editing suites
• Dedicated computer (Mac) lab
• Instrument storage facilities
• Musical instruments including: baritone sax, bass clarinet, bongos (with stand), four drum kits, chamber organ, two conga drums (with stands), double bass, glockenspiel, marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, Roland keyboard, tubular bells, various tam-tams (gongs), two timpani drums/kettle drums, two percussion kits, two other grand pianos, six Yamaha upright pianos.

The music programme here at Surrey is distinctive because, for many years, it has offered students the opportunity to undertake a year in industry as part of their degree. Organisations which have participated in the scheme include the following, many of whom have a long-standing relationship with Music and Media: 

• Eagle Radio
• English National Opera
• Faber Music Publishers
• London Sinfonietta
• London Symphony Orchestra
• Manners McDade
• Music Nation, Hong Kong
• Signum Records
• The Control Room Ltd.

We will support you with your placement applications and ensure you are gaining the experience you need in a supportive environment. Our Careers and Employability team also offer tailored guidance and workshops for our students. 

The University of Surrey has an outstanding record for graduate employability and setting up our students for successful career prospects. We offer careers information, advice, and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University. Ninety-five per cent of our music and media undergraduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2026, HESA). 

Joining Music and Media at Surrey puts you on the same path as our community of highly successful graduates, who have gone on to thrive in the music and media sectors.

Our recent graduates have worked as:

• Activities and Development Officer
• Assistant Producer
• Assistant Studio Runner
• Commercial Rights Administrator
• Concerts and Projects Manager
• Creative Sync and Licensing Manager
• Digital Marketing Manager
• Freelance choral conductor and vocal coach
• Freelance TV and film composer 
• Freelance composer, e.g. at BMG, EMI, Universal 
• Marketing Officer
• Music Supervisor
• Music Teacher
• Senior Music Designer
• Senior Producer/Director
• Session Guitarist
• Signed Artist
• Studio Manager
• Touring with Ed O’Brien (Radiohead).

They work for organisations and artists such as:

• English Folk Dance and Song Society
• Faber Music
• Haringey Music Service
• London Sinfonietta
• Ministry of Sound
• One Little Independent Records 
• Perfect Pitch
• PH Media
• Philharmonia Orchestra
• Sony Games
• Spitfire Audio
• The Crypt Studio
• Top Line Film.