The Music and Philosophy joint degree course at Durham enables students to pursue their interests in both disciplines, explore the fascinating intersection between them, and enjoy belonging to two particularly vibrant departments. In Philosophy, a wide selection of modules is on offer, addressing the most fundamental questions that arise in diverse areas of human concern, from religion and politics, to morality and the sciences. In 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, cognitive musicology, and performance.
**Year 1**
In the first year, you will take the Philosophy core modules of Ethics and Values and Knowledge and Reality. These concern the two broad divisions of Philosophy, into Metaphysics and Theory of Knowledge on the one hand, and Moral Philosophy on the other. First-year students also get to choose one of the following Philosophy modules:
Introduction to Logic
Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science
History and Theory of Medicine
Reading Philosophy.
Reading Philosophy is a text-based course which examines in depth classic works by writers such as Plato, Hume and Sartre.
In Music, you will take Historical Studies 1 and two other modules from the following list:
Introduction to Ethnomusicology
Analysis 1: Elements of Tonal Theory and Practice
Musical Techniques
Composition
Performance 1 – either with recital or essay.
**Years 2 and 3**
In the third year, you will take the Aesthetics Philosophy module. In the second and third years, you will also have a choice of a wide range of topics within Philosophy. In previous years these have included:
Moral Theory
Philosophy of Mind
Modern Philosophy I and II
Gender, Film and Society
Issues in Contemporary Ethics
Philosophy of Religion
Political Philosophy
Metaphysics
Language, Logic and Reality
Twentieth Century European Philosophy
Philosophy of Science
The Philosophy of Economics: Theory, Methods and Values
Science and Religion
Applied Ethics
Philosophical Issues in Contemporary Science
History and Philosophy of Psychiatry
Biomedical Ethics.
There is an equally broad choice of modules within Music. You will also have the opportunity to study a subject in depth, by writing a substantial dissertation of your choice.
We review course structures and core content (in light of e.g. external and student feedback) every year. Please note that the list of optional modules available in any year will vary depending on available teaching staff. The lists above provide an example of the type of modules which may be offered.
**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. Exchanges take place after the second year of the degree with our partner institutions, which include the University of Oslo, the Sorbonne in Paris, La Sapienza in Rome, alongside many others.
**(Philosophy)**
We participate in exchange schemes through which you may spend a year of your studies abroad with the University of California.
Course Details - Modules
**Year 1**
In the first year, you will take the Philosophy core modules of Ethics and Values and Knowledge and Reality. These concern the two broad divisions of Philosophy, into Metaphysics and Theory of Knowledge on the one hand, and Moral Philosophy on the other. First-year students also get to choose one of the following Philosophy modules:
Introduction to Logic
Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science
History and Theory of Medicine
Reading Philosophy.
Reading Philosophy is a text-based course which examines in depth classic works by writers such as Plato, Hume and Sartre.
In Music, you will take Historical Studies 1 and two other modules from the following list:
Introduction to Ethnomusicology
Analysis 1: Elements of Tonal Theory and Practice
Musical Techniques
Composition
Performance 1 – either with recital or essay.
**Years 2 and 3**
In the third year, you will take the Aesthetics Philosophy module. In the second and third years, you will also have a choice of a wide range of topics within Philosophy. In previous years these have included:
Moral Theory
Philosophy of Mind
Modern Philosophy I and II
Gender, Film and Society
Issues in Contemporary Ethics
Philosophy of Religion
Political Philosophy
Metaphysics
Language, Logic and Reality
Twentieth Century European Philosophy
Philosophy of Science
The Philosophy of Economics: Theory, Methods and Values
Science and Religion
Applied Ethics
Philosophical Issues in Contemporary Science
History and Philosophy of Psychiatry
Biomedical Ethics.
There is an equally broad choice of modules within Music. You will also have the opportunity to study a subject in depth, by writing a substantial dissertation of your choice.
We review course structures and core content (in light of e.g. external and student feedback) every year. Please note that the list of optional modules available in any year will vary depending on available teaching staff. The lists above provide an example of the type of modules which may be offered.
For more information on the content of this course, including module details, please see our website.
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:
WV53
Institution code:
D86
Campus Name:
Trevelyan 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
To include Music. ABRSM Grade VII Theory will be accepted as an alternative to Music alongside 5 Leaving Certificate Higher Levels.
General information on subjects/grades required for entry:
To include Music A Level. ABRSM Grade VII 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.
To include Music at Advanced Higher Level. ABRSM Grade VII Theory will be accepted as an alternative to Music at Advanced Higher Level alongside the academic grades requested.
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.
To include Music. ABRSM Grade VII Theory will be accepted as an alternative to Music alongside 3 other Advanced Highers.
General information on subjects/grades required for entry:
Seventeen points (6, 6, 5) in Higher Level subjects. To include Music. ABRSM Grade VII Theory will be accepted as an alternative to Music Higher Level alongside a completed IB programme.
To include Music. ABRSM Grade VII Theory will be accepted as an alternative to Music alongside 3 other Pre-U certificates.
**Contextual Offers**
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBB or ABC including a Grade B in Music (or equivalent). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/contextualoffers/.
**Additional Subject Specific Information**
Qualifications that do not include Music must be accompanied by a Music A Level or equivalent or ABRSM Grade VII Theory.
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.
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.
