About this course

At Southampton, you can study the music you care about, and develop the skills and experience for a successful career. This 4-year BA Music degree provides a broad musical education, across all forms and styles. You can specialise in areas including performance, music history, composition and technology. Your chance to study music abroad will give you international performance experience and build your global network.

Our students sing opera and music theatre, play funk guitar and classical oboe. No matter what your musical background, we'll provide:

regular performance and composition workshops, including with guests from the industry
performance projects with world-renowned performers and recording artists
up to 20 hours of fully funded individual tuition per year
ensemble and conducting coaching

This 4-year course lets you study at a partner university abroad for an academic year. This includes cities such as:

Paris
Madrid
Venice
Hong Kong
Norway

As part of this course, you can:

learn different approaches to musical topics, from the middle ages to global hip hop
work on projects with other students across classical, pop and jazz
study concert hall composition, commercial songwriting or film scores
experience advanced studio techniques, jazz theory and orchestration
take your music to the local community, with school placements, therapy sessions and workshops

You'll also gain professional career skills. These may include arts administration or managing events.

Our excellent facilities include:

dedicated rehearsal spaces
electronic studios
networked multimedia workstations

Our Turner Sims concert hall supports the most extensive series of professional concerts and workshops of any UK university. You can also perform around the city in a range of different venues.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

What's it like to study Music at Southampton

At Southampton, your music degree is about your music. Of all of the Russell Group universities, Southampton offers the most choice: of style, instrument and specialisation, from medieval to pop and from composition to musicology.

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Download

ODT

Download 2025-26 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

Academic year filter options

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 as meeting our Music subject requirement. We can accept a pass in Grade 5 Music Theory where Music is not studied as an accepted Level 3 qualification. This applies to all BTEC Music courses and similar including UAL and Rockschool. We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM. Specific offer is ascertained at interview.

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

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 to 30 points overall with 16 to 15 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 as meeting our Music subject requirement. We can accept a pass in Grade 5 Music Theory where Music is not studied as an accepted Level 3 qualification. This applies to all BTEC Music courses and similar including UAL and Rockschool. We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM. Specific offer is ascertained at interview.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma and either B in A level Music or Grade 5 Music Theory, and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus either B in A level Music or 1 A level and Grade 5 Music Theory, and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*

Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB to BB to include A level Music or Grade 5 Music Theory in addition, and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

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 as meeting our Music subject requirement. We can accept a pass in Grade 5 Music Theory where Music is not studied as an accepted Level 3 qualification. This applies to all BTEC Music courses and similar including UAL and Rockschool. We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM. Specific offer is ascertained at interview.

QCF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC Extended Diploma and either B in A level Music or Grade 5 Music Theory and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus either B in A level Music or 1 A level and grade 5 Music Theory, and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*

Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB to BB to include include A level Music or Grade 5 Music Theory in addition, and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

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 as meeting our Music subject requirement. We can accept a pass in Grade 5 Music Theory where Music is not studied as an accepted Level 3 qualification. This applies to all BTEC Music courses and similar including UAL and Rockschool. We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM. Specific offer is ascertained at interview.

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

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 to 30 points overall with 16 to 15 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 as meeting our Music subject requirement. We can accept a pass in Grade 5 Music Theory where Music is not studied as an accepted Level 3 qualification. This applies to all BTEC Music courses and similar including UAL and Rockschool. We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM. Specific offer is ascertained at interview.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma and either B in A level Music or Grade 5 Music Theory, and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus either B in A level Music or 1 A level and Grade 5 Music Theory, and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*

Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB to BB to include A level Music or Grade 5 Music Theory in addition, and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

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 as meeting our Music subject requirement. We can accept a pass in Grade 5 Music Theory where Music is not studied as an accepted Level 3 qualification. This applies to all BTEC Music courses and similar including UAL and Rockschool. We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM. Specific offer is ascertained at interview.

QCF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC Extended Diploma and either B in A level Music or Grade 5 Music Theory and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus either B in A level Music or 1 A level and grade 5 Music Theory, and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*

Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB to BB to include include A level Music or Grade 5 Music Theory in addition, and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

Year 1 includes compulsory modules and a choice of optional modules. In your second and final years you'll choose from a wide range of options. These include skills-based modules like performance and running workshops.

Your study approaches will be:

analytical
musicological
ethnomusicological (the study of music from the cultural and social aspects of the people who make it)

You can also broaden your experience by selecting:

You do not need to choose your modules when you apply. Your tutor will help you customise your course.

Year 1 overview

In your first year, you'll learn the basics of:

performance
composition
music history
theory

The compulsory modules will explore the fundamentals of analysis, counterpoint and harmony. You'll also get a broad overview of music from the Renaissance to the twentieth century.

You'll choose from a range of optional modules, including

solo and ensemble performance
music technology
composition

Year 2 overview

You'll choose from a range of optional modules, including topics such as:

conducting
composing music for films
studio-based modules
music therapy and community music

There's a wide range of history and cultural topics to choose, from opera to musical subcultures. You can also take an elective module outside your formal studies, that allows you to gain academic credit.

Year 3 overview

You'll spend your third year abroad at one of our partner institutions. These include:

University of Hong Kong
Grieg Academy (Bergen, Norway)
Charles University, Prague
University of Bayreuth (Germany)
Université Paris-Sorbonne

While you're abroad you'll keep a blog and write a report on your experiences over the year.

Year 4 overview

You'll take a module examining your experiences abroad. This will help you produce an enhanced CV.

You must choose one of these modules:

Commercial Composition - you'll work closely with a course tutor to develop a portfolio of original work
Composition Portfolio - you'll produce a portfolio of score-based, concert compositions
Performance Recital - a 40-minute public performance recital
Research Project - this might be musical (historical, analytical, critical) or relate music to another art form such as architecture

You'll also choose from a range of optional modules on topics like:

Benjamin Britten operas
film music composition
American musicals
global hip hop

You can also get involved in high-profile performance projects and gain work experience in schools.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Common Practice Tonality Fundamentals

This module will provide you with a foundational understanding of the principles of Western 'common practice' tonal music (c. 1650-1900, and beyond) that will be invaluable to your studies in later modules. The module will begin by introducing and rehears...

Music Production Fundamentals

This module introduces the fundamentals of contemporary music production– analogue and digital audio, MIDI, digital audio workstations, synthesisers, samplers, processors; practical audio recording, MIDI sequencing and audio mixing.

Music in Context 1

This module aims to introduce students to a range of crucial themes and topics in the history of music, up until c.1750, with reference to their relevance in contemporary society. It will both explore and question traditional narratives, providing student...

Performance Fundamentals 1

This module introduces music performance skills. You undertake individual tuition in your chosen performance specialism* (8 hours of lessons) along with a variety of workshops exploring topics from across the performance spectrum. With the help of y...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:

Composition Fundamentals

Composition Fundamentals will introduce you to a range of compositional techniques and principles. We will consider different ways of creating musical ideas and different approaches to structuring, varying and developing musical ideas. In particular, we w...

Ensemble Performance Fundamentals

Ensemble performance is a crucial skill in any musician's portfolio, in addition to being one of the most rewarding aspects of musical life. In this module you will prepare a 15-18 minute programme of instrumental, vocal or mixed ensemble music of your...

Music sources and transmission

What constitutes music? What constitutes its source, and how is it transmitted to musicians and audiences? And how has this changed over the centuries? In this module, we will explore and challenge traditional narratives about the primacy of written m...

Performance in Practice B

This module allows you to develop your music performance skills to a new level. A combination of individual tuition in your chosen performance specialism* (12 hours of lessons) and a variety of workshop and public performance opportunities provide you ...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

14%

Scheduled learning & teaching

86%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

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 1:

23%

Written exam

52%

Coursework

25%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Drew Crawford is the course leader.

Careers and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. 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.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,535.
EU and international students pay £24,200.

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

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 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 to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub 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 EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: W301
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

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'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Related courses

Music with Year Abroad (BA) is a course in the Music subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

a

BSc

Acoustics with Music

l

BA

Liberal Arts

m

BA

Music

BA

Music and Business Management

BA

Music with Year Abroad (BA)

About this course

What's it like to study Music at Southampton

Learn more about this subject area

Music

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Access Offer Contextual

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish certificate additional information

Irish Offer Contextual

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U Offer Contextual

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Mature applicants

For Academic year 202627

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Access Offer Contextual

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish certificate additional information

Irish Offer Contextual

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U Offer Contextual

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Mature applicants

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview