About this course
This course provides a broad musical education, but allows you to specialise in areas including performance, music history, cultural studies, composition and music technology. A year abroad will give you international performance experience and build your global network.
At Southampton, you can make and study the music you care about and develop the skills and experience you need to set yourself up for a successful career.
In this course, you can:
learn about analytical, musicological and ethnomusicological (the study of music from the cultural and social aspects of the people who make it) approaches to topics from music in the middle ages to global hip hop
develop skills in composition and music technology, covering composing for the concert hall through to commercial songwriting or film composition
get hands-on experience in advanced studio techniques, jazz theory and orchestration
develop an understanding and practical skills in arts administration, music therapy and community music
Our students sing opera and music theatre, play funk guitar and classical oboe, and make electronic dance music. Whatever your passion we'll help you develop it through:
regular performance and composition workshops with our superb teaching team and guests from the wider music industry
high-profile performance projects with internationally renowned performers and recording artists that bring together student musicians working across classical, pop and jazz
up to 20 hours of fully funded individual tuition per year for solo performers
ensemble and conducting coaching
You can also gain professional skills ready to build an innovative career. This might include music therapy, running workshops or managing music events.
Our high-level facilities include: dedicated rehearsal spaces (keyboard, percussion, jazz and pop rehearsal rooms), electronic studios and networked multimedia workstations.
Our concert hall, Turner Sims, supports the most extensive series of professional concerts and workshops of any UK university. You'll also get the chance perform around the city in a range of different venues.
You can download the course details, including modules, in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 294.16 KB).
Location and awarding body
The course location is Highfield campus in Southampton. The awarding body is University of Southampton.
Entry requirements
A-levels
ABB to BBB including Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
*Equivalence to grade 8 is ascertained via audition. This can be done in person or by sending a video. We welcome students onto our programmes who are not at this level if their interests focus on other areas, such as composition, music technology and/or music history and ethnomusicology.
We do not accept Music Technology in lieu of a Music Level 3 qualification (A level, BTEC etc). We can accept a pass in Grade 6 Music Theory where Music is not studied as a Level 3 qualification.
We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM.
Specific offer is ascertained at interview.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 32 to 30 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
*Equivalence to grade 8 is ascertained via audition. This can be done in person or by sending a video. We welcome students onto our programmes who are not at this level if their interests focus on other areas, such as composition, music technology and/or music history and ethnomusicology.
We do not accept Music Technology in lieu of Music Level 3 qualification (A level, BTEC etc). We can accept a pass in Grade 6 Music Theory where Music is not studied as a Level 3 qualification.
We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM.
Specific offer is ascertained at interview.
Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.
BTEC
Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma in Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
OR
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus B in A level Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma in Music plus B in an A level and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
OR
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in A level Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate in Music plus AB to BB in two A levels and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
OR
Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB to BB to include A level Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
BTEC additional information
*Equivalence to grade 8 is ascertained via audition. This can be done in person or by sending a video. We welcome students onto our programmes who are not at this level if their interests focus on other areas, such as composition, music technology and/or music history and ethnomusicology.
We do not accept Music Technology in lieu of Music Level 3 qualification (A level, BTEC etc). We can accept a pass in Grade 6 Music Theory where Music is not studied as a Level 3 qualification.
We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM.
Specific offer is ascertained at interview.
Other qualifications
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
BBB including Music and grade A in the EPQ, and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
A-levels contextual offer
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
BBB including Music, and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) StatementPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 62.17 KB) for further information.
Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC (RQF) (reformed)
Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC Extended Diploma in Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
OR
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus B in A level Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma in Music plus B in an A level and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
OR
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in A level Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Music plus AB to BB in two A levels and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
OR
Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB to BB to include A level Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, to include 6 Distinctions in Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
OR
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 24 to must be at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit, to include 6 Distinctions in Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
Access to HE Diploma additional information
*Equivalence to grade 8 is ascertained via audition. This can be done in person or by sending a video. We welcome students onto our programmes who are not at this level if their interests focus on other areas, such as composition, music technology and/or music history and ethnomusicology.
We do not accept Music Technology in lieu of Music Level 3 qualification (A level, BTEC etc). We can accept a pass in Grade 6 Music Theory where Music is not studied as a Level 3 qualification.
We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM.
Specific offer is ascertained at interview.
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 to H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 H3 including Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A2 A2 B1 B1 B2 B2 to B1 B1 B1 B1 B2 B2 including Music at B1 and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
Irish Leaving Certificate additional information
*Equivalence to grade 8 is ascertained via audition. This can be done in person or by sending a video. We welcome students onto our programmes who are not at this level if their interests focus on other areas, such as composition, music technology and/or music history and ethnomusicology.
We do not accept Music Technology in lieu of Music Level 3 qualification (A level, BTEC etc). We can accept a pass in Grade 6 Music Theory where Music is not studied as a Level 3 qualification.
We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM.
Specific offer is ascertained at interview.
Scottish Qualification offers
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF, 111.01 KB) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 M2 M2 to M2 M2 M2 in three principal subjects including Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
*Equivalence to grade 8 is ascertained via audition. This can be done in person or by sending a video. We welcome students onto our programmes who are not at this level if their interests focus on other areas, such as composition, music technology and/or music history and ethnomusicology.
We do not accept Music Technology in lieu of Music Level 3 qualification (A level, BTEC etc). We can accept a pass in Grade 6 Music Theory where Music is not studied as a Level 3 qualification.
We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM.
Specific offer is ascertained at interview.
Welsh Baccalaureate
ABB to BBB from 3 A levels including Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
or
AB to BB from two A levels including Music and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
*Equivalence to grade 8 is ascertained via audition. This can be done in person or by sending a video. We welcome students onto our programmes who are not at this level if their interests focus on other areas, such as composition, music technology and/or music history and ethnomusicology.
We do not accept Music Technology in lieu of Music Level 3 qualification (A level, BTEC etc). We can accept a pass in Grade 6 Music Theory where Music is not studied as a Level 3 qualification.
We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM.
Specific offer is ascertained at interview.
European Baccalaureate
77% overall including grade 8 in Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
OR
75% overall including grade 8 in Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.
Band C IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 6
- writing
- 6
- speaking
- 6
- listening
- 6
We also accept other English language tests.
Non-academic entry requirements
There are no additional requirements
International qualifications
Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country.
This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
Other ways to qualify
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Course structure
In your first year, you'll learn the basics of music performance, composition, music history and theory.
In your second and third years, you can choose from optional modules, including skills-based modules such as running musical workshops.
You can also broaden your studies by selecting:
You do not need to choose your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you customise your course.
Year 1
In your first year you'll learn:
the fundamentals of analysis, counterpoint and harmony
a broad overview of music from the Renaissance to the twentieth century
You can choose from an array of optional modules including solo and ensemble performance, music technology and composition.
Year 2
In year 2, you can choose from a range of optional modules including:
conducting
composing music for films
studio-based modules
music therapy and community music
a wide range of history and cultural topics from opera to musical subcultures
an elective outside your formal studies that allows you to gain academic credit
Year 3
You'll spend your third year abroad at one of our partner institutions. These include the University of Hong Kong, Grieg Academy (University of Bergeny), Charles University in Prague, University of Bayreuth in Germany and Université Paris Sorbonne.
Year 4
In year 4, you'll choose from optional modules including:
research into a topic of your choice that might be musical (historical, analytical, critical), relate music to another art form such as architecture, or a performance piece of your own
a 40-minute public performance recital
commercial or concert-hall composition, where you'll work closely with a course tutor in one-to-one tutorials to develop a portfolio of original work
You'll also have opportunities to get involved in high-profile performance projects and gain work experience in schools.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Modules year 1
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 1:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 1:
Modules year 2
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 2:
- Music and Sound Production 1
- From Teddy Boys to Drag Queens – Music and Subculture
- Performance Tuition (Joint Studies)
- Mozart in Vienna, 1781-1791
- Film Music Composition
- How the Arts Work: a practical introduction to cultural economics
- 19th Century Italian Opera: Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi
- Music and the British Empire
- Music Therapy 1: Fundamentals
- Performance Tuition (Single Study)
- Songwriting
- Haydn in London
- Orchestration and Arranging
- Global Hip Hop
- The Operas Of Benjamin Britten
- Ensemble Performance 1
- Music in the Community with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
- Jane Austen's Playlist: Entertainment in Georgian Britain
- Jazz Theory
- Second Year Performance Recital
- Conducting
- The Producer as Composer: digital sound & songwriting in practice
- Explorations in Composition
- The American Musical
- Composition Workshop
Modules year 3
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 3:
Modules year 4
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 4:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 4:
- Commercial Composition
- Ensemble Performance II
- Composition Portfolio
- Haydn in London
- Performance Tuition (Single Study)
- Studio Techniques 2
- Global Hip Hop
- Songwriting
- Mozart in Vienna, 1781-1791
- The Operas Of Benjamin Britten
- Performance Recital
- Orchestration and Arranging
- 19th Century Italian Opera: Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi
- Performance Tuition (Joint Studies)
- Ensemble Performance I
- Jane Austen's Playlist: Entertainment in Georgian Britain
- Composition Workshop
- Music in the Community with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
- Music and the British Empire
- Music Therapy 2: Beneath the Surface
- Film Music Composition
- Explorations in Composition
- The American Musical
- Research Project
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
Support for your studies
You'll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
How you’ll spend your study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study, year by year:
Year 1
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 14%
- Independent study
- 86%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 2
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 17%
- Independent study
- 81%
- Placement
- 2%
Year 3
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 0%
- Independent study
- 100%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 4
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 11%
- Independent study
- 86%
- Placement
- 3%
Course leader
Andrew Pinnock is the course leader.
How we’ll assess you
We’ll assess you using:
- assessed performances
- compositions
- composition portfolios
- creative projects
- dissertations
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- module journals
- portfolios
- teamwork
- written and practical exams
Your assessment breakdown, year by year:
Year 1
- Written exam
- 23%
- Practical exam
- 25%
- Coursework
- 52%
Year 2
- Written exam
- 14%
- Practical exam
- 6%
- Coursework
- 80%
Year 3
- Written exam
- 0%
- Practical exam
- 0%
- Coursework
- 100%
Year 4
- Written exam
- 6%
- Practical exam
- 21%
- Coursework
- 73%
Careers
Employability is included in our modules from the first lecture to the day you graduate.
Our music graduates have secured roles including:
performer
music therapist
sound engineer
composer
arts and culture manager
Your music degree can also be a good foundation for further study.
The University’s Excel Internship Programme can help you find a paid work placement during the Easter or summer vacation.
You'll be supported throughout your studies, and for up to 3 years after graduation, by our careers and employability service. They can help you with:
work placements and graduate jobs
specialist careers advice
Your personal academic tutor and an employability coordinator will also provide support and can advise you on your career path throughout your course.
Contact us to speak to a careers advisor.
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Fees, costs and funding
UK/EU fees
You'll pay £9,250 in tuition fees for the academic year 2020 to 2021. This fee might change for further years of your course.
International student fees
You’ll pay £17,560 each year. This fee will stay the same throughout your studies.
What your fees pay for
Music students will also need to pay for:
maintaining and insuring musical instruments
extra musical tuition or rehearsals
hiring session musicians
Extra costs you might have to pay
- Textbooks
- Instruments and Equipment
- Printing and Photocopying Costs
- Hardware
- Tuition Fees
- Computer discs or USB drives
- Occupational Health, DBS checks or vaccinations
- Securing accommodation
- Vocal and Instrumental Lessons
- Software Licenses
- Placements (including Study Abroad Programmes)
- Stationery
- Placement Salary
See the full list of extra items and costs in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 294.16 KB).
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
Life at Southampton
The University offers a friendly, diverse and welcoming home for you while you study. You'll work, live and socialise with students from more than 130 countries.
Clubs, societies and facilities
Our campuses have:
cafes and restaurants
bars
health centres
banks
a post office
student shops
a hairdresser
Our sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with 140 fitness stations, squash courts, a bouldering wall, outdoor pitches and much more. There are over 80 sports clubs you could join, and activity classes including yoga and spin.
We have an internationally known theatre, concert hall, art gallery and cinema showing everything from mainstream blockbusters to international arthouse classics. You could perform at a gig, concert or show, take part in an exhibition or join a writers’ workshop. Find out more about arts and culture at Southampton.
Whatever your passion or community, you can find like-minded people at one of the Students’ Union clubs and societies. There are more than 200 to join, and social activities in every hall of residence.
Support while you study
We aim to help you deal with any problems you might come across, so you can make the most of your time at university. We offer support with:
mental health, learning difficulties and disability
money and accommodation
childcare
computers and IT
How to apply
When you apply use:
UCAS Course Code: W301
UCAS Institution Code: S27
What happens after you apply
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
You will be asked for an interview and audition, either remotely or in person. If you want to take performance modules you'll need to show you're proficient to grade 8 or equivalent, either by auditioning or sending a video.
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.