This degree enables you to create your own pathways as you go through the programme of study. You can be as folk specific as you want, taking folk related modules throughout your degree, or you can expand your musical horizons and engage with the plethora of musical specialisms within the wider department.

You'll study the social and cultural context of traditional and folk music and how music helps to construct identity and culture as a core part of your degree. Folk specific modules such as Traditions of these Islands and Research Methods: Folk Music Studies, will directly feed into your applied practice. As a student in the International Centre of Music Studies, you’ll also have the opportunity to enrich your studies by taking optional modules from across the varied music curriculum.

You can study a range of disciplines from Indian Music or Salsa, to Hip Hop, Ethnomusicology or ballad studies. You can even be in a Baroque Opera, compose music based on environmental sound techniques, investigate folk music and gender, or study music technology in our state of the art recording studios.

You can also choose to enhance your employability and develop career skills through modules in Music Enterprise and Student Placement for Education in the Community.

See the Course Details for more information on what you will study.

Our main teaching staff includes:

• Catriona Macdonald, Degree Programme Director
• Shona Mooney, fiddle
• Emily Portman and James Fagan, voice
• Dr Simon McKerrell, Highland Bagpipes and Uilleann pipes
• Kathryn Tickell, Northumbrian pipes and composition
• Alistair Anderson and Sandra Kerr, concertina
• Chris Newman, guitar
• Laura Beth Salter, mandolin
• Amy Thatcher, piano accordion and clog
• Julian Sutton, Melodeon
• Andy May, piano and Northumbrian pipes

In addition to our regular tutors, we also invite many guest tutors on an annual basis. Recent tutors include:

Fiddle

• Adam Sutherland
• Jon Dipper
• Duncan Chisholm
• Nordic Fiddlers Bloc
• Jenna Reid
• Jon Boden

Voice

• Rachel Newton
• Nancy Kerr
• Aimee Leonard
• Martin Simpson

Highland bagpipes

• Calum MacCrimmon

Flute and whistle

• Sam Partridge

Piano accordion

• Angus Lyon
• Karen Tweed

Piano

• Timo Alakotila
• Hamish Napier

Clog

• Jane Garbutt
• Laura Connolly

Recent concerts and workshops have been delivered by String Sisters (Liz Carroll, Annbjørg Lien, Catriona Macdonald, Emma Hardelin, Mairead ni Mhaonaigh and Liz Knowles), Andy Irvine, Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, Nae Plans and La Soustraction des Fleurs (The Subtraction of Flowers).

Study Folk and Traditional Music at Newcastle University and you will not only become part of a community of outstanding tutors and students, but also part of our extended community of graduates and alumni including:

• Rachel Newton
• Elephant Sessions
• The Teacups
• The Furrow Collective
• Jim Causley
• Dan Walsh
• Pons Aelius
• The Shee
• Ross Couper and Tom Oakes
• Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra
• Rachel McShane (Bellowhead)
• Niopha Keegan (The Unthanks)

Many of our graduates return to Newcastle as guest tutors and performers in our professional Thursday afternoon concert series.

We maintain a strong partnership with Folkworks based at North East’s major concert venue Sage Gateshead, where you will have access to various concerts and workshop opportunities.

On campus, many of our students take part in weekly performances in the King’s Hall.

Find out more about performance opportunities at Newcastle University on the School website.

Study at the cutting edge

Our International Centre for Music Studies has an international reputation for its research in musicology and creative practice. You'll benefit from the expertise of our world-leading research-active staff. 

Teaching methods

Different forms of music need different approaches to study.

Some of our modules are based around lectures and seminars, often with set reading or listening assignments, and other modules take the form of smaller specialised study groups.

Performance modules are usually taught through a combination of individual one-to-one tuition, group workshops and specialist masterclasses.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed by a combination of:

• examinations
• written assignments
• submission of dissertation or portfolio (of compositions, harmony, recordings, counterpoint or music analysis exercises)
• live musical performance

Find out more

Visit our Teaching & Learning pages to read about the outstanding learning experience available to all students at Newcastle University.

AAB-BBB ideally including Music. (Grade A in AS level Music may be considered, but will depend on the combination of subjects/qualifications being studied.)

In usual circumstances offers will be made at the upper end of this range. However, we will consider giving offers at the lower end of the range to candidates who demonstrate themselves at audition to be performers of exceptional ability, but whose predicted or achieved academic grades are in the lower end of our offer range.

AAABB-AAAB at Higher Grade, including Music. Combination of Highers and Advanced Highers accepted. In usual circumstances offers will be made at the upper end of this range. However, we will consider giving offers at the lower end of the range to candidates who demonstrate themselves at audition to be performers of exceptional ability, but whose predicted or achieved academic grades are in the lower end of our offer range.

Scottish qualifications can be taken in more than one sitting.

32-34 points with Music at Higher Level. Standard Level Music may be considered, but will depend on the combination of subjects being studied. In usual circumstances offers will be made at the upper end of this range. However, we will consider giving offers at the lower end of the range to candidates who demonstrate themselves at audition to be performers of exceptional ability, but whose predicted or achieved academic grades are in the lower end of our offer range.

H1H1H1H2H3-H2H2H2H3H3 at Higher Level, to include Music.

30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit. 15 Level 3 credits should be music related and preferably include Music Theory. All applicants will be asked to audition. Applicants should be practitioners in folk/traditional music.

In a music-related subject, at overall DDD-DDM, plus evidence of ‘academic’ writing on music if not fulfilled by choice of units.

D3,D3,M2-M2,M2,M2 in Principal Subjects including Music.

In usual circumstances offers will be made at the upper end of this range. However, we will consider giving offers at the lower end of the range to candidates who demonstrate themselves at audition to be performers of exceptional ability, but whose predicted or achieved academic grades are in the lower end of our offer range.

If you offer the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification in a topic relevant to the degree programme, we may take this into account in our consideration of your application.

BBC ideally including Music. AS level Music may be considered, but will depend on the combination of subjects/qualifications being studied.

The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’s supported entry route for students from schools and colleges in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Find out more about the PARTNERS Programme.

In a music-related subject, at overall MMM, plus evidence of 'academic' writing on music if not fulfilled by choice of units.

The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’s supported entry route for students from schools and colleges in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Find out more about the PARTNERS Programme.

Performance ability is a primary criterion for selection and applicants will need to produce appropriate evidence of performance skills achieved. All applicants who we consider may be suitable for the course will be interviewed and auditioned.

Applicants with musical experience but without standard qualifications are considered at a consultative interview prior to application.

Students with advanced skills in performance of folk and traditional music may be exempted from some of the requirements for the qualifications listed.

Any potential applicant is invited to contact the Degree Programme Director, Catriona Macdonald (catriona.macdonald@ncl.ac.uk), to discuss the course and their suitability for it.

Applicants whose first language is not English require a minimum score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

If you need help to meet our English Language requirements, we can provide support with extra tuition.

Read more about UK visas and immigration requirements.

ABB at A level is typically the minimum required for entry to an undergraduate course. You can check the equivalent grades for qualifications offered in your country. 

We will also consider your application if you have lower or non-standard qualifications.

2019 entry:

£9,250

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year.

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Please note:

• The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by the UK government.
• As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation, as measured by RPIX*.
• See more information on all aspects of student finance relating to Newcastle University.

*RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments.

2019 entry:

£9,250 You will pay the same tuition fees as UK students for the duration of your course.

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year.

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Please note:

• As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation, as measured by RPIX*.
• See more information on all aspects of student finance relating to Newcastle University.

*RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments.

2019 entry:

£17,790 per year

*Please note:

• You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme).
• The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation, as measured by RPIX**.
• If you spend a year on placement or studying abroad as part of your degree you may pay a reduced fee for that year.
• See more information on all aspects of student finance relating to Newcastle University.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments.

You may be eligible for one of a range of Newcastle University Scholarships in addition to government financial support.

• Newcastle University Scholarships
• Government financial support

You may be eligible for one of a range of Newcastle University Scholarships in addition to government financial support.

• Newcastle University Scholarships
• Government financial support

We offer a range of scholarships to eligible international students:

• Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships
• Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarships
• Vice-Chancellor’s Global Scholarships

We also offer International Family Discounts which are available for all international students with a close family member who has graduated from or is now studying at Newcastle University.

Some of our subject scholarships and sports scholarships are also available for international students.