2023 entry
BA Music (W300)
Course overview
Typical offer
A-level standard offer: AAB
A-level contextual offer: BBB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
3 year(s) full-time
6 year(s) part-time
Part-time study with daytime weekday teaching.
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Part-time: Contact artf-ugoffice@bristol.ac.uk for more information and to apply.
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£27,200 per year, international students
- Part-time tuition fees will normally be charged on a pro rata basis
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
Our BA Music is a well-established and highly regarded programme. Our graduates go on to work in the music profession, the creative industries and a host of other careers.
We offer a broad range of units in musicology, composition and performance, across diverse styles and genres. These are complemented by weekly concerts, regular masterclasses and performances in the department, and opportunities to get involved in the dynamic music scene in the city of Bristol. The department is exceptionally friendly and welcoming and staff run ensembles and perform with students.
You will be taught by internationally recognised musicologists and composers and by a team of professional instrumental and vocal tutors. Our teaching and music-making takes place in the magnificent 19th-century Victoria Rooms, a familiar Bristol landmark with a 530-seat auditorium. A number of our students have secured organ and choral scholarships with our local churches and Bristol Cathedral.
Course structure
The first year lays a solid foundation in musicology and composition and (if you choose) performance*, preparing you for advanced study in subsequent years.
In years two and three most of the curriculum is optional. You might specialise in your particular area of interest or explore a more varied selection, including composition, performance*, editing, studio- and research-led history units, covering such topics as medieval music, opera, romanticism, music and war, aesthetics, film music, music and migration, and African-American music.
Your final year includes one major project (musicology dissertation or composition portfolio) or 30-minute recital. Performance students receive one-to-one tuition with specialist tutors throughout their degree.
You will have an average of at least ten contact hours per week and may take units in other subjects. You can also choose to spend part of your second year studying abroad at a partner university. To find out more about studying abroad, visit Global Opportunities.
Our Liberal Arts courses allow you to select a specialist music pathway, combining music units with foundational units exploring issues in the arts and humanities and building skills in analysis and communication.
*In performance, we offer a wide range of instruments and vocal styles. In the event that tuition on your particular instrument/vocal type is not currently offered in Bristol, you will be able to discuss options with the Department.
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
AAB including Music. Where a candidate is not taking A-level Music we will accept AAB plus Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) at Pass.
A-level contextual offer
BBB including Music. Where a candidate is not taking A-level Music we will accept BBB plus Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) at Pass.
BTEC
DDD EITHER in Music Technology BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma OR in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma. All applicants must also meet our Music requirement (eg with an B in Music at A-level (or equivalent) or Grade 8 in a Trinity or ABRSM practical or theory exam)
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in Music. Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) can be accepted in place of Higher Level Music.
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in Music. Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) can be accepted in place of Higher Level Music.
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerEuropean Baccalaureate
80% overall, with 8.0 in Music.
Where a candidate is not taking EB Music we will accept 80% overall plus Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity).
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AB including Music, and Standard Higher: AAABB. Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) can be accepted in place of Advanced Higher Music.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above, plus either B in A-level Music or Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity)
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Cambridge Pre-U
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/ D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/ M2 is B, and M3 is C.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
No specific subjects required.
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
- GCSE English Language grade B or 6
- An alternative English Language Profile B qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
Additional requirements
Where an academic qualification in Music is not available, Pass in ABRSM/Trinity Grade 8 Music Theory can be considered.
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS, or your application form, to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement:
