Music undergraduate courses

Undergraduate study in Music has a flexible structure, with two years of elective modules following from a common foundation year. You can pursue interests in practical and academic subjects, combining your units to specialise in certain areas or to gain a broad all-round musical education.

The first year features modules in performance, analysis and harmony, and historical/critical surveys, intended to broaden your knowledge of a range of musics and to provide you with a foundation for your second and third years. You study the Western musical tradition - both art music and popular music - in its cultural context from the sixteenth century to the present day. Although the units offered within Music provide a solid foundation, you may choose alternatively to take up to two units in another subject area.

In years 2 and 3, you select units from a wide range of options. Choices include modules in performance (both solo and ensemble), composition (including concert music, commercial composition, orchestration and arranging, songwriting), music technology, and history and criticism topics covering the whole gamut from Introdoction to Medieval Music to British Rock Music 1960-1980. We also offer practice-based modules such as Conducting and Jazz Theory, and specialised modules such as Introduction to the Music Business, and Community Music and Music Therapy. In year 3 you will have the opportunity to pursue advanced study in one or more areas of special interest: an extended research project, a portfolio of compositions (classical or commercial), and/or a full-length solo recital. More information about the programme and a list of modules running in the current year are available from the School of Humanities course pages.

Performance is part of the foundation year, and takes a significant role in many students' careers at university. Undergraduates are eligible to apply for a range of vocal and instrumental scholarships to support their study. In the first year, all students are entitled to 24 hours of individual tuition (1 hour per week in term), plus fortnightly performance master classes with your head of studies. In years 2 and 3 tuition is determined by the number of performance units you pursue (half an hour for a single unit, an hour per week for double units; plus fortnightly masterclasses). Look for more details about performance units in the performance handbook.

Listen to Southampton students

- Duo Nuevo (Ruth Corney, flute, and Sam Cave, guitar) play the first movement - 'The Night' - of Toru Takemitsu's Toward the Sea for alto flute and guitar, composed in 1981 for the Greenpeace 'Save the Whales' campaign.

- Luke Leighfield (vocals and piano) and his band - including Southampton students Zoe Corbishley and Becs Johnson, and recent graduate Joe Kelly - in Luke's song 'Have You Got Heart?'.

If you are interested in applying to study Music at Southampton see our How to Apply page.