2024 entry (view 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
Fees quoted are for 2023 entry only. Fees for 2024 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2023.
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 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
The 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.
Years two and three 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 Global Opportunities.
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.
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerBTEC
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 (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:
- The admissions statement above relates to 2023 entry. The statement for 2024 entry will be available in summer 2023.
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement:
