BA (Hons) in Music
UCAS code W300
On this page you will find:
- An introduction to this degree
- A course structure summary
- A list of our current entry requirements for this degree
Introduction
This course is for anyone who wishes to acquire a broad-based musical and academic training. The degree programme introduces you to most of the main areas of music in Stage 1. This enables you to identify where your interests lie, and so to choose among the very flexible range of options in Stages 2 and 3. You take a combination of compulsory and optional modules including taught topics, practical music and project work presented as a dissertation or portfolio.
The range of modules available could easily enable you to specialize in practical music and the issues surrounding performance, to concentrate on historical and musicological topics through a selection of options and/or a dissertation, or to pursue particular interests in composition or studio work. In this way the degree programme allows you to specialise in topics of particular interest and to use your musical talents to the full.
In your first year, we like you to study a range of key topics and skills areas to help you prepare for honours level work in years 2 and 3. All modules are compulsory in your first year. See course summary below for more details.
In your second year, you have more choice. You will study three compulsory modules in the topics of music analysis an world musics. There are two menus from which you can choose you remaining modules: the historical and cultural modules menu and the applied options menu. These menus change regularly, See course summary below for more details
In your third and final year, you have even more choice. You will study Music and Cultural Theory, and will choose what we call a Specialist Study. This could be a dissertation on a music-related topic of your choice, a project of some kind (which might involve music analysis, fieldwork, studio-based work or work in the classroom), a composition portfolio (in either notated or studio-based work, or a mixture of the two) or performance (two recitals over the academic year). Your remaining options are taken up from the advanced historical and cultural menu and the applied menu (see summary below).
Course Summary
| Stage One |
| Compulsory Modules: |
| Understanding Music History (20 credits) |
| Understanding Modern and Postmodern Musics (20 credits) |
| Counterpoint and Voice Leading (20 credits) |
| Harmony and Aural Skills 1 or 2 (20 credits) |
| Performance Studies 1 (20 credits) |
| Creative Projects (20 credits) |
| Stage Two |
| Compulsory Modules: |
| Ethnomusicology: issues and concepts (20 credits) |
| Practising Music Analysis (20 credits) |
| Elective Modules: |
| Historical/Cultural Options (see below) |
| Applied Studies (see below) |
| Stage three |
| Compulsory Modules: |
| Music and Cultural Theory (20 credits) |
| Major Specialist Study (dissertation, performance, composition or project) (40 credits) |
| Elective Modules: |
| Historical/Cultural Options (see below) |
| Applied Studies (see below) |
| Additional Specialist Study (20 credits) |
Historical and Cultural Options:
Please note that these options change yearly. Recent choices have included:
Music in the Renaissance; Musical Romanticism; Understanding Popular Music; Jazz, Past and Present; Traditional Music and Celticism; Musical Nationalism; The Scope of Irish Traditional Music; Music in the European Enlightenment; The British Symphony; Print and the Politics of Self in Early Modern England; European High Modernisms; Music in the North East and Borders; Vivaldi; The Idea of Beethoven; The Eton Choirbook; Parody in Music; Music and Identity in the Caribbean; Noise, Funk and Freedom
Applied Studies:
Please note that these options change yearly. Recent choices have included:
Performance Studies; Sound therapies in practice; Collective Free Improvisation; Intermediate Contemporary Composition; Post-Vernacular Composition; Harmony and Counterpoint; Contemporary Compositional Techniques; Creative Music Technologies; Indian Music in Practice; Music Business.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels: AAB including Music at grade A. Grade A in AS level Music may be considered, but will depend on the combination of subjects/qualifications being studied.
- Scottish Qualifications: AAABB at Higher Grade, including grade A in Music. Combinations of Highers and Advanced Highers accepted.
- International Baccalaureate: A minimum of 33 points in the IB Diploma with Music grade 6 or above at Higher Level.
- Irish Leaving Certificate: A1A1A1B1B at Higher Level, to include Grade A Music.
- Access Qualifications: Level 3 units in Music (including Music Theory) required. At least 15 level 3 credits at Distinction and in addition at least 30 level 3 credits must be achieved at a minimum of Merit.
- BTEC Level 5 HND: Applicants will be considered on an individual basis.
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma): In a music-related subject, at overall DDD and pass at ABRSM Grade 6 Theory.
- Advanced Diploma: The Advanced Diploma is not acceptable for entry in any of the lines of learning.
- Cambridge Pre-U: D3,D3,M2 in Principal Subjects including Music at grade D3.
Annual intake: 40
Additional Information: Applicants intending to take modules in performance should have passed ABRSM Grade 8 or the equivalent or be of a similar standard. Most applicants will be interviewed, depending on prior qualifications, evidence of performance ability on the UCAS application, and experience.
N.B.: unless otherwise indicated, all candidates with qualifications other than those specifically listed are considered on an individual basis.
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