The course at Durham prides itself in combining the traditional and the modern in the study of music. The learning of techniques such as harmony, counterpoint and aural skills are juxtaposed with an investigation of the most up-to-date thinking in musicology, critical theory, composition (acoustic and electroacoustic), analysis, ethnomusicology and performance. Moreover, our teaching, essentially research-led, is enhanced by distinctive staff specialisations that include nineteenth- and twentieth-century British music, music of the Soviet Union, Korean and Indian music, popular music, music technology, conducting, cognitive musicology, early music and contemporary composition.
**Year 1**
In the first year you are expected to follow the same course, designed to introduce a broad range of disciplines and approaches. The course consists of six modules:
Historical Studies 1
EITHER Performance 1: Listening and Performing Practice Through History (with Recital)
Musical Techniques (Harmony and Counterpoint)
Composition 1: Twentieth Century Innovations
Introduction to Ethnomusicology
Analysis 1: Elements of Tonal Theory and Practice
Essential topics in music technology are spread over these compulsory modules, as are foundational research skills that will be needed in the later years.
All Combined Honours students taking only one module in Music must take either Historical Studies 1 or Introduction to Ethnomusicology. If you take two or three modules in Music, you must take one of these musicological modules, and can add the other and/or one or two of the three ‘practice-based’ modules which are the prerequisites for the Year 2 modules in performance, composition, and other practical disciplines.
**Year 2**
In the second year, you will undertake one compulsory module – Historical Studies 2: The Twentieth Century – and choose five modules from a broad menu. As an alternative, you may choose to take a module in another department.
Optional modules:
Composition 2: New Directions in Art Music
Creative Music Technology
Performance 2: Practice as Research
Advanced Musical Techniques
Theory and Analysis
Orchestration
Conducting
World Music Traditions
Studies in Popular Music
Studies in the History of Opera
Music and Science
Philosophy, Music and Improvisation.
**Year 3**
The third-year of this course is structured around a compulsory double-weighted independent project, which can take the form of a musicological Dissertation, a composition portfolio, a techniques portfolio (pastiche compositions), or a 40-minute solo recital. All students are required to do one of these. In addition, you will choose four other modules, selecting from the list of third year modules (which in previous years has included the modules below) and the second year menu (above). Other possible options are to undertake a single-weighted project (again, a Dissertation, composition, techniques portfolio, or performance) and/or pursue a module in another department.
We review course structures and core content (in light of e.g. external and student feedback) every year, and will publish finalised core requirements for 2022 entry from September 2021.
**Study Abroad (Music)**
As part of an extensive curriculum review we have created lots of exciting new opportunities for a year's study abroad for those on the BA (Hons) Music degree. Exchanges take place after the second year of the course with our partner institutions, which include the University of Oslo, the Sorbonne in Paris, La Sapienza in Rome, alongside many others.
For more information on this course, please see our website.
Course Details - Modules
Year 1
In the first year you are expected to follow the same course, designed to introduce a broad range of disciplines and approaches.
The course consists of six modules:
Historical Studies 1
EITHERPerformance 1: Practice Through History (with Recital) OR Performance 1: Practice Through History (with Essay)
Musical Techniques (Harmony and Counterpoint)
Composition 1: Twentieth Century Innovations
Introduction to Ethnomusicology
Analysis 1: Elements of Tonal Theory and Practice
Essential topics in music technology are spread over these compulsory modules, as are foundational research skills that will be needed in the later years, such as essay writing skills.
All Combined Honours students taking only one module in Music must take either 'Historical Studies 1' or 'Introduction to Ethnomusicology'. If you take two or three modules in Music, you must take one of these musicological modules, and can add the other and/or one or two of the three ‘practice-based’ modules which are the prerequisites for the Year 2 modules in performance, composition, and other practical disciplines.
Year 2
In the second year, you will undertake one compulsory module – 'Historical Studies 2: The Twentieth Century' – and choose five modules from a broad menu. As an alternative, you may choose to take a module in another department.
Optional modules:
Composition 2: New Directions in Art Music
Creative Music Technology
Performance 2: Practice as Research
Advanced Musical Techniques
Theory and Analysis
Orchestration
Conducting
World Music Traditions
Studies in Popular Music
Studies in the History of Opera
Music and Science
Philosophy, Music and Improvisation
The Music of India.
Year 3
The third-year of this course is structured around a compulsory double-weighted independent project, which can take the form of a musicological dissertation, a composition portfolio, a techniques portfolio (pastiche compositions), or a 40-minute solo recital. All students are required to do one of these. In addition, you will choose four other modules, selecting from the list of third year modules (which in previous years has included the modules below) and the second year menu (above). Other possible options are to undertake a single-weighted project (again, a dissertation, composition, techniques portfolio, or performance) and/or pursue a module in another department.
Contemporary Music Performance
Music and Politics in France 1789–1815
The Music of India
Performance 3: Recorded Performance Project
Time and Rhythm
Studies in Electronic Music
Psychology of Music
Advanced Ethnomusicology
Studies in Symphonic Analysis
Words and Music
Britten's Chamber Opera's
Music Theology.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
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:
D86
Campus Name:
St Aidan's College
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
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
General information on subjects/grades required for entry:
To include Music A Level. ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative to Music A Level alongside 3 other A Levels.
Specific subjects excluded for entry:
General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Information:
Applicants taking Science A Levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels.
Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis.
We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham.
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
General information on subjects/grades required for entry:
Seventeen points (6, 6, 5) in Higher Level subjects. Music is required.
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
Grade 7 or 8 in first instrument is advisable but by no means essential.
Keyboard skills are advisable (but not absolutely essential), since they aid score reading and analysis.
If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade VIII Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level level BBB/ABC (or equivalent) (including at least grade B in Music). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/contextualoffers/.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/entry/
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses.
It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course.
Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.
