This degree provides an exciting, global and interdisciplinary approach to the study of music, blending theory, practice and performance.
City’s wide range of ensembles - including classical, contemporary, jazz and world music - conduct regular concerts and a summer festival, providing you with opportunities to perform and discover world-class musicians.
- Learn in a highly energised department, with internationally recognised staff who share your devotion to music
- Study with leading music professionals and performers, many of whom also teach at the leading London conservatoires
- Enjoy 20 hours of 1-2-1 solo instrumental/vocal tuition each year
- Train in facilities that include advanced recording and composition studios, and performance and practice spaces
- Prepare for a range of music-related careers through optional modules in sound recording, music business, music education and more
- Gain exciting new perspectives on music and its relationships with culture, technology and society through a close study of classical, popular and world music
- Follow in the footsteps of students who have undertaken a placement year with Les Miserables, London Philharmonic, and other organisations.
Course Details - Modules
Year 1 will give you a firm foundation in music with a core curriculum that includes solo and ensemble performance, Western classical, popular and world music, musicianship, critical listening, tonal harmony, composition and music technology.
Core modules include:
- Music in Culture 1: Western Art Music
- Music in Culture 2: Social, Historical and Geographical Contexts
- Critical Listening
- Materials of Tonal Music
- Composition 1
- Performance 1
- Practical Musicianship 1
- Developing Creative and Professional Narratives
- Modern European History
In year 2 you will Develop your knowledge of musical analysis and take part in ensemble performances. Choose from a range of elective modules in musicology, ethnomusicology, popular music studies, performance, composition and applied music studies.
Core modules include:
- Analysing Music
- Practical Musicianship 2
- Global Perspectives: London’s Musical Communities
- Elective modules include:
- Work Placement
- Performance 2
- Performance 2A
- Composition: Studio
- Composition: Instrumental and Vocal
- Composition: Moving Images
- Web Design and Digital Storytelling
- Fifty Shades of Red. Russia in the Twentieth Century
- The American Century
- Creative Writing Workshop
- Orchestral and Instrumental Studies
- Sound, Music and the Moving Image
- Performance Practice
- Nineteenth-Century Opera
- Global Popular Musics
- Interdisciplinarity and Collaborative Process
- Electronic Dance Music
- Rhythm
- Sound, Art and Technoculture
- Lieder
- Principles of Music Education
In year 3 you will undertake a major project to showcase your skills and expertise. Pursue your personal musical interests with further elective modules selected from our incredibly diverse list.
Core modules include:
- Major Project: Dissertation
- Major Project: Composition
- Major Project: Performance 3
Elective modules include:
- Composition: Studio
- Composition: Instrumental and Vocal
- Composition: Moving Images
- Global Perspectives: London’s Musical Communities
- Performance 3A
- Place and Space
- Fifty Shades of Red. Russia in the Twentieth Century
- The American Century
- Creative Writing Workshop
- Disruptive Divas, Riot Grrrls and Bad Sistas: A History of Women in Popular Music
- Orchestral and Instrumental Studies
- Sound, Music and the Moving Image
- Performance Practice
- Nineteenth-Century Opera
- Global Popular Musics
- Interdisciplinarity and Collaborative Process
- Electronic Dance Music
- Rhythm
- Sound, Art and Technoculture
- Lieder
- Principles of Music Education
Course Details – Assessment Method
Throughout the three years of the music degree, assessment is by a combination of project-based or practical and creative work, and examinations or coursework. You will receive a considerable amount of tuition in small groups and individually to maximise contact and enable you to tailor your work to your personal interests.
Marks obtained in your second and third years will contribute to your final degree award.
Coursework and examinations are typically worth 30% of the overall module mark, and the end-of-module project worth 70%, although this varies across modules. Composition and creative practice modules are assessed by portfolio, and performance modules are assessed by final recital and interim components.
The assessment weighting for year one is 10%, year two is 30% and year 3 is 60%
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
W300
Institution code:
C60
Campus Name:
Main Site
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Year 2
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
including A Level Music and at least a good Grade 7 performance qualification (or equivalent). An audition can be arranged in lieu of a performance qualification. We accept Grade 5 Theory in lieu of ‘A’ Level Music, subject to candidates achieving the requisite ABB (or equivalent) in other subjects.
including A Level Music and a good Grade 7 performance qualification or equivalent
Access to HE Music Diploma only
to include Music
with 5 in Higher Level Music and with a recognised performance qualification.
in BTEC Music only
B1 in 3 subjects & B2 in 2 subjects (to include Music)
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
