A levels,
AAB including A in Music
If you are not taking A level Music we will accept AAB in three A Levels plus ABRSM or Trinity Grade 5 Theory and Grade 8 Performance. Other equivalent qualifications and exam boards may be considered on a case by case basis.
Access to Higher Education Diploma, 36 credits from units awarded Distinction and 9 awarded Merit or higher. An additional A Level or equivalent qualification in Music will be required.
BTEC National Extended Diploma, DDD in Music. If you are taking a BTEC in a different subject, an additional A Level or equivalent qualification in Music will be required.
Cambridge Pre-U, D3, D3, M2 including D3 in Music
European Baccalaureate, 80% overall, including 85% in Music
International Baccalaureate, 35
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
IELTS (Academic and Indicator), 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
Duolingo, 110 overall, with a minimum of 100 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language), Grade C
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT, B2 Communicator High Pass with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
PTE Academic, 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
TOEFL, 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III, Merit in all components
We come into contact with music every day: on the internet or radio, in the street, in a club, on film, or in a concert hall. This experience can be fleeting or intense, relaxing or frustrating, trivial or life-changing, looked-for or unexpected, solitary or social.
Studying music at university gives you the opportunity to deepen your understanding of that experience and to look at how music has shaped and responded to the world. The story of music is always about people and their creativity – even in a world full of music, what it is and what it does still matters.
You'll learn from musicians who are leaders in their fields and benefit from the working relationships we have built up with our professional partners – an enviable roster of artists-in-association. We teach in small groups and individual tutorials, which means you'll always be actively engaged in discussion with your lecturers.
York Music graduates are creative, critical, independent thinkers. Our degree programme develops these qualities through a modular teaching system covering all forms of musical activity: performance, composing, analysis, musicology and music technology are all valued. Both flexible and challenging, we deliver a balanced musical education and develop key skills, providing you with opportunities to specialise and pursue your own choices of study under expert guidance.
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Year 1
Core modules
You will take core skills modules which may include:
Developing Musicianship
Listen to This!
Performance Studies
Making Music, Studying Music
As part of the Making Music, Studying Music module, you'll take part in the first-year Practical Project. This will take up the majority of your first term and involves the preparation and public performance of a music theatre work or small opera. The project involves around 50 hours of rehearsals, lectures, workshops and tutorials and includes classes on writing and research skills.
First-year 'Project'
In the second half of the Autumn Term, you may take Musical Analysis. This is designed to give you the experience of the 'project' format (skill-based exercises, researching materials, delivering seminar presentations, academic writing) before entering the full cross-year modules in the Spring Term.
In your Spring Term, you'll take a selection of option modules. We update these modules every year.
Recent examples of module options
Year 2
You'll focus on developing your independence, critical thinking and confidence; improving your core skills; and continuing your instrumental/vocal studies. You'll also begin to prepare for your Solo Project, Composition Folio and/or Recital in your final year. The Critical Thinking and Listening module develops critical reflection on music and its performance, while your specialist option modules allow you to explore the areas you are most interested in.
Core modules
You will take core modules which may include:
Critical Thinking and Listening
Performance Studies 2
Option modules
You will choose a selection of further option modules. You'll be able to choose from a similar range of options as in your first year, although modules do vary year on year.
Recent examples of module options
Year 3
During your final year, you'll specialise further with Recital and Composition Folio options alongside your choice of option modules.
You will also have the opportunity to devise, research and produce a Solo Project. Building on skills you've acquired across your degree, this is an opportunity for you to develop a piece of large-scale work that will be useful to your future career. Past Solo Projects have included dissertations, editions, albums, innovative performance events, orchestrations, film music, community music projects and many other types of work.
Core modules
You will take core modules which may include:
Developing Professionalism
Ensemble Studies
Option modules
You can choose a selection of optional modules. Examples of which may include:
Solo Project (minor) or Solo Project (major)
Composition Folio (minor) or Composition Folio (major)
Recital or Extended Recital
You will choose from similar options to those available to you in your second year.
Recent examples of module options
Our graduates go on to build successful careers in music, as well as in fields such as law, finance and management. Recent graduate careers include:
UK Concert Director of the Philharmonia Orchestra
General Director of the Southbank Sinfonia
Opera direction (including Opera North, Glyndebourne Touring Opera and the Royal Opera House)
BBC production (Proms and Radio 3 and 4)
Freelance jazz musicians (including the World Service Project)
Classic FM production
London Symphony Orchestra
Others have gone on to work in:
broadcast and media
professional performance
arts management
teaching and community education
university lecturing
music outreach
music publishing (most major houses)
major music agencies
orchestral management
Insurance - Single: 300 (£) per year
