BA Music (W300)
2025 entry | view 2026 entry
Course summary
Our BA Music degree is a well-established and highly regarded programme. Our graduates go on to work in the music profession, the wider creative industries, and a host of other careers, from law and finance - via conversion courses - to civil service and non-governmental organisations, education and health professions, including music therapy. Some also choose to pursue postgraduate study.
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, workshops and performances in the department, and opportunities to get involved in the dynamic music scene in the city of Bristol. The department has a track record of international academic excellence and is exceptionally friendly and welcoming, with several of our staff running ensembles and performing with students.
You will be taught by internationally recognised and world-class musicologists and composers, working together to deliver research-led teaching of the highest quality, and by a team of professional instrumental and vocal tutors. Our teaching and music-making take place in the magnificent 19th-century Victoria Rooms, a familiar Bristol landmark with a 530-seat auditorium, a recital room, extensive studio facilities and a suite of practice rooms. Several organ and choral scholarships are available with our local churches and with Bristol Cathedral.
Course structure
Your first year prepares you for advanced study in subsequent years, giving you a solid foundation in musicology and composition and, if you choose, performance.
Performance students receive one-to-one tuition with specialist tutors throughout their degree. In performance, we offer a wide range of instruments and vocal styles, but 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.
Your second and third years enable you to tailor the curriculum to your particular interests. You might specialise in a specific area of music studies or explore a more varied selection, including composition (acoustic and studio-based), orchestration, performance, and musicology, covering topics such as editing, 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 a 30-minute recital.
You will have the option to take units in other subjects and you may be able to spend part of your second year studying abroad at a partner university. To find out more about studying abroad, visit the Centre for Study Abroad.
Entry 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.
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
More about Access to HE entry requirements
Search international qualifications
Selection process
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
- If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
- Full information about our selection processes for Music can be found in the Admissions Statement:
Admissions statement