City’s BMus music degree gives you access to outstanding facilities and performance opportunities in the heart of central London, with private performance tuition from Guildhall School of Music and Drama teachers (for students pursuing solo performance).
Overview
Music at City: student perspectives
Find out what it is like to study music at City University London as four students tell you about life as a music student.
(See Meet our Music BMus students - right of page - for more student and graduate stories.)
Also on YouTube:
- City's Symphony Orchestra performs at LSO St. Luke's
- City's Big Band at The Bull's Head in Barnes
- Daniela Mars (BMus, 2009-12) at the 2012 London Marathon
- cityunimusic on YouTube
Course overview
City's BMus music degree offers you the chance to immerse yourself in the subject you love while studying and performing in the heart of London.
You can develop your existing musical interests and experiment with new ones through an extensive range of performance opportunities and course modules in cultural studies, composition, performance and applied music studies.
The course is taught by specialists in their fields who are committed to your musical, professional and personal development. In the most recent National Student Survey:
- 96 per cent of Music students said staff were enthusiastic about what they are teaching
- 92 per cent said staff made the subject interesting
- 92 per cent said staff were good at explaining things (NSS 2012, on Unistats)
The course offers you private performance lessons with tutors from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (for students pursuing solo performance), in addition to outstanding facilities in a central London location.
Entry Requirements:
At least 340 UCAS tariff points, to include Music and a recognised performance qualification. This may typically be met by achieving ABB/BBB at A-Level and at least a pass at Grade 7 practical music examination, but we are pleased to consider a range of other qualifications included in the UCAS Tariff point system.
Course Fees:
- Full-time EU: £9,000
- Full-time Non EU: £12,000
Start Date:
23 September 2013
UCAS code:
W300
Entry Requirements
At least 340 UCAS tariff points, to include Music and a recognised performance qualification. This may typically be met by achieving ABB/BBB at A-Level and at least a pass at Grade 7 practical music examination, but we are pleased to consider a range of other qualifications included in the UCAS Tariff point system.
Other Suitable Qualifications
If you have alternative or international qualifications (such as IB or BTEC), or if you do not have A-level Music, your application will be considered on its individual merits.
Typical examples of offers made to applicants with qualifications other than A-levels include the following:
- Apolytirion: 18.0 -19.0 pts (plus English-language requirements where necessary)
- BTEC National Diploma: 3 Distinctions (DDD)
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: 32 pts
- Irish Higher Leaving Certificate: A1 in 3 subjects & A2 in 2 subjects (to include Music)
- Scottish Advanced Highers: ABB (to include Music)
Other GCE and VCE combinations may be considered if their combined UCAS tariff score is in the region of 340 points. Offers will not be made on the basis of AS level grades alone.
Applicants who have attained a performance level equivalent to Grade 7 practical music examination may, in the absence of a formal qualification, submit a certified audio or video recording of their performance for review as evidence of equivalence.
If you are a mature applicant (aged 21 years or over) without conventional qualifications, you will need to provide evidence of your abilities. Each mature applicant will be considered on merit.
Overseas applicants who cannot come for an interview will normally be required to submit a suitably verified recording of their performance.
English Requirements
If your first language is not English, you must supply evidence of your proficiency in English, from:
Please click the links below for more information:
- GCSE English Language at Grade C or above
- International GCSE in English as a Second Language at grade C or above
- IELTS Test of the British Council at 6.0 or above with a minimum score of 6.0 in the Writing sub-test
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) at 550 or above with computer-based total of 213 or above
- UCLES Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) at grade C or above
INTO English Language Programmes
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, INTO City University London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.Please click the links below for more information:
Visa Requirements
City University London retains Highly Trusted Status from UKBA, enabling us to sponsor international students to study in the UK.
The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:
- Students on courses of more than 6 months
- Students on courses of less than 6 months
- Students on a pre-sessional English Language course
For more information see our main Visa page.
When and Where
- Start Date:
- 23 September 2013
- Duration:
- Full-time three years.
Course Content
City is a natural choice if you want to follow a cutting-edge music curriculum to a high level. In addition, we offer a ground-breaking approach to historical, contemporary and popular musicology, exploring music as an expression of our cultural and artistic inheritance.You can choose from an extensive range of modules in cultural studies, performance, composition and applied music studies. Cultural studies modules embrace classical music (of various different musical periods), music in popular culture (film music and popular music) and world music studies.
The degree offers you the chance to immerse yourself in every aspect of music at the highest possible level, whilst also equipping you for a wide range of future careers.
For module descriptions, see below.
Course Structure
During the first year all students study the same broad-ranging course. For the second and third years, students work with a personal tutor to plan a tailored programme of study comprising a set number of selective modules dranw from our extensive offering, leading to the degree of Music BMus.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| Investigating western music Music in oral cultures/Studies in ethnomusicology Materials of tonal music Composition Music, sound and technology Performance AND/OR Ensemble performance |
Ensemble performance plus SEVEN elective modules in western music, music and popular culture, world music studies, applied music studies, compsition, or performance (see lists below) (Note: all composition and performance offerings are double modules) |
Major project (see below) Ensemble performance plus FIVE elective modules (see lists below) |
Areas covered include:
Cultural studies
- Explore the form, function and meaning of music in a diverse array of cultures: modules are offered in classical music from the medieval period to the present, a variety of non-Western cultures, popular music studies and film music
Composition
- Take pathways in instrumental and vocal composition, studio-based composition, and composing for moving images
- Take the opportunity to work on your compositions with professionals in composition masterclasses
Applied Studies
- Experience vocationally-oriented musical disciplines taught by practitioners with real-world experience, including sound recording and production, music business studies and music therapy
Performance
- Participate in a wide range of classical and world music ensembles
- Perform in our new, high specification performance areas and at major venues such as LSO St Luke's and St John's, Smith Square
- Take private lessons in collaboration with London's leading instrumental and vocal tutors (including teachers from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama).
Module descriptions
Ensemble performance (all years)
Year 1
- Investigating Western music
- Music in oral cultures and studies in ethnomusicology
- Materials of tonal music
- Composition
- Music, sound and technology
- Performance
Years 2 and 3
Western music
- The age of Monteverdi
- Historical performance practice
- Music, fascism, communism
- Music reception
- Nineteenth century opera
- Orchestral & instrumental studies
- Singing the earliest music
- Wagner, Mahler & Schoenberg
- Words-Music-Theatre
Music in popular culture
- Jazz - its history and music
- Musical Theatre
- Music, sound & the environment
- Popular music now
- Popular music studies
- Sound, music and the moving image
- Sound, art and technoculture
World music studies
- African-American music studies: gospel & blues
- Global perspectives: the world on our doorstep
- Greek musical traditions
- Indonesian music studies
- Music traditions of the Far East
- Music traditions of the Middle East
Applied music studies
- Music business
- Music therapy: music & the musician in mainstream medicine
- Professional & community music study
- Sound recording & studio techniques
Composition
Performance (years 2 & 3)
Major project (core module year 3)
Read the full programme specification.
Teaching and Assessment
Read the full programme specification.
All students follow a common course in the first year and choose from a large selection of elective modules in the second and third years. We offer a considerable amount of tuition in small groups and individually to maximise the amount of attention given to students and to enable them to tailor their work to their own interests as much as possible.
Your learning, teaching and assessment will take the form of a combination of the following:
- lectures
- student-focused group discussions
- individual tutorials
- seminars by visiting professionals
- workshops for composition and performance
- (for solo performers) private and performance tuition
- ensemble rehearsals and performances
- studio-based composition/recording work
- guided listening and reading
- independent study and library research
- oral presentations to seminar
- ethnographic fieldwork assignments
- project work
- written examinations
Throughout the three years, assessment is by a combination of project-based or practical and creative work, and examinations or coursework. Marks obtained in the second and third years contribute to the final degree award.
Coursework and examinations are typically worth 30% of the overall module, and the end of module project worth 70%, although this varies across modules. Composition and creative practice modules are assessed by portfolio, and performance modules are assessed by final recital and interim components.
Read the full programme specification.
Fees
- Full-time EU: £9,000
- Full-time Non EU: £12,000
Please note:
UK/EU students - The fees for UK/EU students rise each year by the rate of the cost of living in the UK and are set by the UK Government.
Non-EU international students - There is a small percentage increase, usually between 3% and 5%, each year on these fees.
Funding
For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.
Scholarships
New scholarships available for 2013 entrants: The Lord Mayor of London Scholarships provide bursaries worth up to £2,000 per annum for BMus students who achieve grades ABB or above at A-level, or equivalent qualifications.
Career Prospects
80 per cent of our 2011 BMus students were in employment and/or further study within six months of completing the course, with two-thirds of those in professional or managerial roles.
The diversity of our educational offering, and our particular focus on employability skills, ensures that you are equipped to pursue a range of future careers, whether you work as a musician, in music-related fields or elsewhere.
Graduates include performers, composers, secondary-school music teachers, peripatetic instrumental/vocal teachers, music examiners, orchestral conductors, administrators, royalty-tracking consultants, music therapists, sound recording engineers and music technicians. Many pursue further study at postgraduate level.
Prepare yourself for the job market
City's unique approach to music education means that you can immerse yourself in the subject you love at the highest possible level while still preparing yourself for the job market:
- Our degree structure enables you to explore a range of music-related careers, including optional modules in sound recording, music business studies and music therapy. It includes the possibility of a work placement module in the second year.
- City's Central London location provides a host of employment, volunteering and networking opportunities.
- You develop your writing, presentation and IT skills throughout the course equipping you for a range of graduate-level careers.
Find out how studying at City University London helps you to improve your job prospects.
Find out more about City University London
Music
UCAS code: W300
Application Deadline
You must apply by 15 January to guarantee that we will consider your application. Applications received at UCAS between 15 January and 30 June will only be considered if we still have vacancies on the course.
Please apply for the BMus in Music through UCAS. The UCAS course code for the BMus is W300. City University London's UCAS code is C60.
If you want to pursue solo performance with a professor or fellow from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, please indicate this by inserting 'GSMD Perf' in the Further Details section of the UCAS form.Interviews:
Applicants who are considered promising will be made an offer and be given an opportunity to view the Department's facilities, to meet staff and students and to have a tour of the University. Applicants may be required to attend an interview before offers are made.
Applicants wishing to pursue solo performance with a professor or fellow from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama may be required to perform on their first-study instrument. Overseas applicants who cannot come for an interview will normally be required to submit a suitably verified recording of their performance. Interviews, where required, are usually held December to March.