Music
Durham University
UCAS Code: W300 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Durham University
UCAS Code: W300 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
To include Music A Level. ABRSM Grade 6 Music 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.
Access to HE Diploma
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. ABRSM Grade 6 Music Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Including Music or ABRSM Grade 6 Music Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
General information on subjects/grades required for entry: Seventeen points (6, 6, 5) in Higher Level subjects. Music is required. ABRSM Grade 6 Music Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Including Music or ABRSM Grade 6 Music Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
Including Music or ABRSM Grade 6 Music Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Plus Music A level or ABRSM Grade 6 Music Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
Scottish Advanced Higher
Including Music or ABRSM Grade 6 Music Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
Scottish Higher
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. If Music Theory cannot be taken to a high enough level, ABRSM Grade 6 Music Theory will be accepted as an alternative.
At Durham we welcome applications from students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds. We will consider applicants studying T level qualifications for entry to many of our courses. Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level. Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
**Course details**
BA Music combines the traditional and the modern in the study of music, exploring diverse genres from the past and present and developing exciting new approaches in musicology, composition (acoustic and electroacoustic), analysis, ethnomusicology, music and science, and performance.
We also have a variety of music-making taking place at Durham such as six orchestras, choral singing, theatrical productions, contemporary music and much more.
When you study with us you will be encouraged to engage actively with music, both familiar and unfamiliar, as we challenge you to think about the subject in new ways.
**Why Durham University?**
Durham is one of the leading university music departments in the UK, offering innovative courses that are informed by our internationally recognised research.
The department is located at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Durham City – an extraordinarily beautiful place. But it is the juxtaposition of ancient and cutting-edge that makes Durham so unusual and inspiring; within the old buildings we strive to forge fresh interpretations and create exciting new music, using state-of-the-art technology.
Our teaching is research-led and enhanced by distinctive staff specialisations that include nineteenth- and twentieth-century British music, Indian and Korean music, popular music, music technology, conducting, music psychology, opera, analysis, and contemporary composition.
Our curriculum strikes a distinctive balance between breadth and depth, covering perspectives from history, theory, ethnography, science as well as composition and performance.
**Facilities**
Our students have access to a beautiful concert room. Four fully equipped practice rooms are available for individual practice and group rehearsals, with additional practice spaces available across the University.
We also have three studios with music production equipment that ranges from early analogue to current digital technology. Our recording studio comprises a control room and up to three recording rooms, with state-of-the-art equipment.
We also have an audio-visual documentation and analysis laboratory, a music and science lab and a fully equipped music technology workshop.
**Rankings**
2nd in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
3rd in the Complete University Guide 2025
Top 10 in the Guardian University Guide 2025
**Careers Opportunities**
We are one of the very best music departments in the UK, with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. Our students benefit from passionate guidance from our staff and alumni, as well as support from our Careers and Enterprise Centre.
Our students graduate with a range of skills which open up many opportunities for employment or further study. Graduates from the Department have gone on to work in diverse careers in the music industry and beyond, including education, music teaching, arts administration, broadcasting, music production, artist management and journalism.
Modules
For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.
Assessment methods
Modules are assessed by a variety of means, including continuous assessment, examinations and recitals.
Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on the development of independent research skills. Teaching methods and coursework are designed to help you achieve this; for example, you will receive reading lists, assignments, presentation briefs and online materials to direct your research in preparation for seminars.
In your third year you will undertake a major project which can be a dissertation, composition portfolio or a solo recital.
In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/
Tuition fees
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Extra funding
Durham University offers a range of scholarship opportunities to academically well-qualified and highly motivated students. For further details, including deadlines for application, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
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Music
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Music
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Music
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£25k
£33k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
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Graduate field commentary:
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While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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