Entry requirements
GCSE/National 4/National 5
3 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) including English Language
UCAS Tariff
About this course
Work with accomplished international composers who teach through practice.
Whatever genre you focus on, this is the place to build your compositional voice. Your composing will develop through exposure to film music, improvisation and challenging new ideas. You will have exciting opportunities to hear your work performed by professional ensembles, as you become part of a vibrant musical network alongside performers, community musicians and educators.
We believe the study of music should be eclectic and embrace a variety of genres. At York St John University you will not only learn about classical, jazz and rock; but also about music from many different cultures from across the globe. Our teaching staff includes accomplished composers who are active practitioners locally, nationally and internationally. During your time with us you’ll have professional performers interpret your work and there will be concerts where your music will be performed and recorded.
York is an inspiring and beautiful place to study and is the perfect place to build your collaborative networks. It’s a city rich in culture, with a thriving music scene across countless venues. As a composer you will actively collaborate with experienced musicians, community members, artists and arts organisations in order to develop performances, skills and professional contacts.
Our students leave the course at a professional standard when presenting compositions, with a full range of vocational skills. You’ll further develop your portfolio; building a bank of recordings, a collection of scores and a professional online presence. You will be adept at creating large-scale musical structures, having spent time focussed on composing for larger groups such as bands and choirs. You can also continue your studies at Postgraduate Level on our MA Music Composition programme.
Modules
Students on this programme will naturally take the composition options but will also be active in performing in ensembles. Alongside experience of Improvisation and Film Music, you may also explore aspects of community and education in the second year. There are many opportunities for hearing your compositions performed by fellow students as well as by visiting professional ensembles. Modules may include: Level 1: Vox; Drumming; Music Skills; Perspectives on Music. Level 2: Ensemble Performance; Improvisation; Composition; Solo Performance; Film Music; Music in Education & Lifelong Learning; Community Music; Experiments in Music; Sounds New. Approaching the Contemporary. Level 3: Enterprise & Employability in Music; Advanced Solo Performance; Advanced Composition; Community & Wellbeing; Ensembles & Leadership; Collaborative Project; Dissertation.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
York St John University
Humanities
What students say
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Music
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Student voice
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Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Music
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Performing arts
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£14k
£17k
£20k
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