BMus (Hons) (with a year abroad)

UCAS code W304

On this page you will find:

Introduction

The BMus (Hons) in Music with Year Abroad is a degree designed to enable you to pursue the study of music from a variety of perspectives (historical, cultural, practical, technical and creative), and to develop an awareness of the place of British approaches to the study of music in a broader cultural context, as facilitated by an additional year’s study abroad.


You spend Stage 3 of your studies abroad. This year is designed to allow you to experience approaches to the study of music other than those offered by the British system, and to compare this with your experiences. Taken at a foreign institution (see current list below), the contents of this year will depend on which institution you choose to study at; whichever institution you choose, you will attend regular lectures and seminars (as at Newcastle) and fully engage in all courses equivalent to a single year of a degree course, usually at an intermediate level. The Year Abroad is an incredible opportunity for you to develop personally, socially, intellectually and linguistically – and, of course, musically.

Your first and second years are identical to those of the BA (Hons) in Music, and your final (fourth) year is also modelled on the final year of the BA.

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Partner Institutions

As a student on the BMus with Year Abroad, you can currently choose to study in one of the following universities and institution in Europe, United States, and Canada:

EUROPE

UNITED STATES

CANADA

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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)
Practicing Music Analysis (20 credits)
Elective Modules
Historical/Cultural Options (see below)
Applied Studies (see below)
Stage Three
Year spent abroad
Stage four
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)

Urbana-Champaign (Illinois) School of Music, University of IllinoisHistorical 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; Collective Free Improvisation; Intermediate Contemporary Composition; Post-Vernacular Composition; Harmony and Counterpoint; Contemporary Compositional Techniques; Creative Music Technologies; Indian Music in Practice 1 and 2; Music Business; Contemporary Music Practice 1 (stage 2) and Contemporary Music Practice 2 (stage 4).

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Entry requirements

  • A Levels: AAA-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: AAAAA-AAABB at Higher Grade, including grade A in Music. Combinations of Highers and Advanced Highers accepted.
  • International Baccalaureate: A minimum of 35 points in the IB Diploma with Music grade 6 or above at Higher Level.
  • Irish Leaving Certificate: A1A1A1AB-A1A1A1B1B at Higher Level, to include Grade A Music.
  • Access Qualifications: Level 3 units in Music (including Music Theory) required. At least 30 level 3 credits at Distinction and in addition at least 15 level 3 credits 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 D*DD plus 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,D3-D3,D3,M2 in Principal Subjects including Music at grade D3.

Annual intake: 15

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Additional Information: Applicants intending to take modules in performance should have passed Associated Board Grade 8 or the equivalent or be of a similar standard. Many of our applicants will be interviewed, depending on prior qualifications, evidence of performance ability on the UCAS application, and experience.

Please Note that unless otherwise indicated, all candidates with qualifications other than those specifically listed are considered on an individual basis.

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