Applying to Study for a Music Degree


Looking through the main quadrangle to the Arches; image by Christian MievesOn this page you will find:

Applying for a degree at Newcastle is a relatively straightforward process, and we are here to help guide you through the various steps. It is crucial that you think very carefully about your choice; you should be absolutely certain you are applying to the right institution for you. ICMuS is not right for everyone!

Applying for an undergraduate programme

Applicants for all of our undergraduate music degrees should apply directly through UCAS, the Universities Central Admissions System. It is worth paying close attention to the advice given on the UCAS website. In particular, the following phrase will be key to your success: 'Choosing which university or college to go to is a life-changing decision. Do as much research as possible so that you choose the right course for the right reasons.' Here are some good reasons to apply for a degree in music here at ICMuS:

  • You have looked through the website and have read our promotional materials and you are attracted to the course
  • The list of modules for your degree fits with your needs and interests
  • You like the practice/theory balance on the course you have chosen
  • There are plenty of opportunities to perform (or, conversely, the course you have chosen does not place too much emphasis on performance)
  • You like the opportunities to specialise on the course you have chosen or you like the balance between specialisation and general training on that course
  • You are attracted to our outstanding facilities

Once you are clear you want to include us on your UCAS form, then make sure you are in line to achieve the grades we normally ask for. Each degree page on this site includes our specific entrance requirements for that degree. In order to make sure you get your choice right, we also recommend you make contact with us and arrange a visit or attend one of our open days. If you would like to visit ICMuS, please contact the admissions tutor, Kirsten Gibson (k.v.gibson@ncl.ac.uk) who will be happy to arrange that for you.

In addition, you might also find it helpful to contact the appropriate member of support and academic staff:

  • For the degrees of BA (Hons) in Music and BMus (Hons) in Popular and Contemporary Music, you can obtain information or advice about the admissions procedure by contacting the admissions secretary (music@ncl.ac.uk).
  • For the BMus (Hons) in Music with One Year Foreign Exchange, you should contact the admissions secretary (music@ncl.ac.uk) or Goffredo Plastino (goffredo.plastino@ncl.ac.uk) for more information.
  • For the BMus in Folk and Traditional Music, please contact Catriona Macdonald (catriona.macdonald@ncl.ac.uk or folkdegree@ncl.ac.uk).

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Applying for a postgraduate degree

Applications for all our postgraduate degrees are made online via the University's application portal. Each postgraduate degree page on this site includes our specific entrance requirements for that degree. Please make a careful note of these. If you wish to apply for a taught degree, then it is a good idea to come for a visit. Please contact the postgraduate secretary to arrange that for you (pgmusic@ncl.ac.uk). If you wish to study for a research degree, you will need to familiarise yourself with our areas of specialistion. See our general research degree page and the various specific research degree pages for more information (MLitt, MPhil, PhD). Normally, you would make direct contact with a member of academic staff working in your field before you apply for a research degree. See staff for more details. If you need to ask about more specific details of this process, please make contact with the member(s) of staff listed below:

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Postgraduate Taught Programmes

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Postgraduate Research Programmes

It is also crucial to look carefully at the areas of research in which staff have expertise. Research at ICMuS is very inclusive and pluralistic, but not completely comprehensive. Make sure your interests match those of our staff .

  • If you are interested in research into musicology (including music education), click here to read about research at ICMuS in this area or here to read about musicology at ICMuS more broadly
  • If you are interested in research into composition, check here to read about research at ICMuS in this area and here to read about composition at ICMuS more broadly

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Some useful links when applying for a degree in Music at Newcastle University:

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