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TSR Wiki > University > Choosing a Subject > University Courses > Music Degree

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This short article is concerned with a typical or traditional music courses at universities. It does not cover course content, discussion of music institutions, musicology, music technology, or popular and performance based music courses.

Contents 1 Course Structure 2 Admissions 2.1 Academic Requirements 2.2 UCAS Form & Personal Statement 3 Course Structure 4 Life as a Music Student 5 Graduate Destinations and Career Prospects 6 See Also

Course Structure

You will most likely take courses in musicology, composition, and analysis, as well as having the options for performance. Modules can vary greatly across institutions - you may be able to choose from a wide range, such as:

Medieval music/Post Modernism music

The life of Beethoven/Jimi Hendrix

Jazz Improvisation

Creative Music Technology

Ethnomusicology

Schenkerian Analysis

Tonal/Free/Electro-Acoustic Composition

Admissions

Like other subjects, different univerisites specialise in different areas. These many be serialism, jazz, classical, electroacoustic composition, etc.

Certain music institutions such as The Royal Northern College of Music and Royal Academy of Music etc. have noteable reputations as they specialise in music. These are generally described as conservatoirse, and focus on performance and composition. However other univerisites have excellent music departements like Kings College, Durham, Nottingham, York, Southampton and Bristol amongst others. Oxford and Cambridge are also excellent as usual.

Academic Requirements

Many courses will require you to be a high standard in an instrument. Most universities ask for a grade 8 exam board certificate - sometimes distinction, sometimes "or similar high ability". A-level offers range from AAA to Cs and Ds. This is often a good indicator of the calibre of the course. Some courses also specify basic keyboard skills e.g. to know the notes of a piano fairly well and of course you need to be able to read music. (Including guitarists - TAB does not count). You can often tailor your course in the 2nd and 3rd year to suit your interests, such as more performing, composing, musicology or analysis.

UCAS Form & Personal Statement

Course Structure

Life as a Music Student

Graduate Destinations and Career Prospects

See Also