BMus (Hons) Music degree • City, University of London

This course is for 2022/23 entry. Details for 2023/24 entry are also available.

Key information

Experience conservatoire-level tuition, with all the benefits of a university setting. We offer an inspiring environment to make music, with outstanding facilities and performance opportunities. Indulge your passion for music whilst developing valuable skills for a range of modern, music-related careers.

Start date

September 2022

UCAS code

W300

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years with placement or study abroad year

Institution

City, University of London

Location

Northampton Square

Entry requirements

Below is a list of countries with information on each about which qualifications we accept.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

IELTS:

6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.

PTE Academic: 59 overall with a minimum of 59 in each component.

English language programmes

Don’t meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

Open day

Prospectus

Course overview Music BMus (Hons)

This music degree provides an exciting, global and interdisciplinary approach to the study of music, blending theory, practice and performance.

City’s wide range of ensembles - including classical, contemporary, jazz and world music - conduct regular concerts and a summer festival, providing you with opportunities to perform and discover world-class musicians.

Learn in a highly energised department, with internationally recognised staff who share your devotion to music
Study with leading music professionals and performers, many of whom also teach at the leading London conservatoires
Enjoy up to 20 hours of 1-2-1 solo instrumental/vocal tuition each year, with tuition guaranteed throughout your course of study
Train in facilities that include advanced recording and composition studios, and performance and practice spaces
Prepare for a range of music-related careers through optional modules in sound recording, music business, music education and more
Gain exciting new perspectives on music and its relationships with culture, technology and society through a close study of classical, popular and world music
Follow in the footsteps of students who have undertaken a placement year with Les Miserables, London Philharmonic, and other organisations.

Structure

Course content

This three-year BMus Music degree includes academic study, performance, practise and music tuition delivered by acknowledged specialists in their fields.

Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Placements

Year 1

Gain a firm foundation in music with a core curriculum that includes solo and ensemble performance, Western classical, popular and world music, musicianship, critical listening, tonal harmony, composition and music technology.

Year 2

Develop your knowledge of musical analysis and take part in ensemble performances. Choose from a range of elective modules in musicology, ethnomusicology, popular music studies, performance, composition and applied music studies.

Analysing Music (30 credits)

Further develop your knowledge of musical form and practice as you apply a range of contemporary and historical techniques of music analysis.
Ensemble Performance (15 credits)

In this module you will expand your knowledge and understanding of ensemble playing and repertoire. You will further develop professional and practical musical skills in ensemble performance as you engage in collaborative musical practice with others.
Practical Musicianship 2 (15 credits)

Develop practical and theoretical musical skills through your own work as well as group activities.
Global Perspectives: London’s Musical Communities (15 credits)

Explore the impact of globalisation on music, focusing primarily on London’s diverse musical communities, through a range of musical traditions, styles and genres from around the world.
Performance 2 (30 credits)

Develop your understanding and skills under the guidance of a professional, specialist instrumental or vocal tutor.
Performance 2A (15 credits)

Deepen your understanding and skills under the guidance of a professional, specialist instrumental or vocal tutor. Includes an end-of-year recital and a short portfolio.
Composition: Studio (15 credits)

This elective practice-based module builds on composition and studio skills introduced in Part 1. Through a combination of lectures, practical workshops and individual tutorials you will develop their technical and aesthetic understanding of working with sound as musical material.
Composition: Instrumental and Vocal (15 credits)

Through the completion of works for varying instrumental and vocal resources, you will engage your creative imagination with the technical discipline needed to convey ideas to performers via musical notation. Emphasis is placed on creative work, examined through performance and discussion.
Composition: Moving Images (15 credits)

Using both live and electronic resources, create soundtracks for three audio-visual projects over the course of two terms.
Digital Storytelling: Research, Writing, Design (15 credits)

You will learn about the history of online media and become familiar with the current digital landscape. During guided workshops in the university’s computer labs, you will acquire a range of digital research skills and writing and design techniques, including how to use digital archives, search for digital content, and write for digital consumption.
Fifty Shades of Red. Russia in the Twentieth Century (15 credits)

Introduction to political, social, and cultural developments in modern Russian history. Considerations to how the Soviet experiment influenced the history of Russia and the world, and how we should relate to it today.
The American Century (15 credits)

This course charts the international rise of the United States and critically assesses the perception of the twentieth century as the “American century”.
Creative Writing Workshop (15 credits)

Explore the practice of creative writing; develop your own writing portfolio through understanding of the practices of the creative writer, and be encouraged to explore the key elements of imaginative and dramatic writing.
Popular Music Now! (15 credits)

This elective module will explore music in contemporary society focusing principally on popular music topics and issues from the year 2000 onwards. The module will introduce students to current texts on contemporary musical thought and to methodological approaches to study where texts may not yet exist.
Music, Sound and the Environment (15 credits)

In this module you will explore the ways in which music and sound permeate the environments in which we live and work, and you will examine the effects of place and space on how you listen.
Computer Programming for Musicians (15 credits)

In this elective module you will be introduced to computer programming, with two main aims: 1) to give you broad foundational skills in programming, and 2) for you to apply these in a music and sound-related context. On completion of the module, you will be able to design, develop and evaluate your own basic software in a code-based environment.
Music, Fascism, Communism (15 credits)

This elective module, a combination of music, history and aesthetics, is intended to provide you with an opportunity to explore in some depth the impact of fascist and communist ideologies upon music-making. Its focus is primarily upon Europe and America; music under communist regimes in Asia, Africa or South America is beyond the scope of the module.
Music Therapy (15 credits)
Writing About Music (15 credits)

This elective module introduces you to concepts and practices in contemporary music journalism, and across different types of writing about music
Interdisciplinarity and Collaborative Process (15 credits)

Develop critical and analytical understanding of working concepts and processes across a range of practices and media, and to examine the nature of interdisciplinary and intermedia collaboration.
Lieder (15 credits)

This module looks at one of the most important genres of Western concert and Hausmusik: the art song for (usually) a single singer accompanied by a piano.
Micro-Placement (15 credits)

The module seeks to enhance career exploration and will provide you with professional level experience in the form of a self-contained project with one of City’s external employer partners. Completing the Micro-Placement module at level 5 will preclude you having the option to take the Micro-Placement elective module at level 6.
Work Placement (15 credits)

Develop your employability skills whilst developing valuable ‘hands-on experience’ in the sector of your choice.

Year 3

Undertake a major project to showcase your skills and expertise. Pursue your personal musical interests with further elective modules selected from our incredibly diverse list.

Major Project: Dissertation (30 credits)

Nominate a topic that can be researched in greater depth under the supervision of a member of academic staff, leading to the submission of a dissertation of 7,500–8,000 words.
Major Project: Composition (30 credits)

Advance your compositional skills and understanding through the completion of a portfolio of creative work, supported by specialist one-to-one supervision.
Major Project: Performance 3 (30 credits)

This is an opportunity to advance your skills and understanding through the completion of a portfolio of creative and/or technical work accompanied by a critical commentary.
Ensemble Performance (15 credits)

The aims of the module are to further enhance knowledge and understanding of ensemble repertoire and to develop professional and practical musical skills in ensemble performance, and in collaborative musical practice with others.
Composition: Studio (15 credits)

Students will enhance their skills in the use of studio equipment for sound recording, digital signal processing and mixing, and then apply these techniques in the creation of imaginative new works.
Composition: Instrumental and Vocal (15 credits)

Through the completion of three works for varying instrumental and vocal resources, you will engage your creative imagination with the technical discipline needed to convey ideas to performers via musical notation.
Composition: Moving Images (15 credits)

Create soundtracks for three audio-visual projects over the course of two terms using live and electronic resources.
Global Perspectives: London’s Musical Communities (15 credits)

Explore the impact of globalisation on music, focusing primarily on London’s diverse musical communities, through a range of musical traditions, styles and genres from around the world.
Performance 3A (15 credits)

Enables student performers to expand and deepen their understanding and skills under the guidance of a professional, specialist instrumental or vocal tutor.
Disruptive Divas, Riot Grrrls and Bad Sistas: A History of Women in Popular Music (15 credits)

Introduction to concepts of gender history and politics as well as to the historical study of popular culture. Examine the changing roles of men and women in the popular music industry.
Popular Music Now! (15 credits)

This elective module will explore music in contemporary society focusing principally on popular music topics and issues from the year 2000 onwards. The module will introduce students to current texts on contemporary musical thought and to methodological approaches to study where texts may not yet exist.
Music, Fascism, Communism (15 credits)

This elective module, a combination of music, history and aesthetics, is intended to provide you with an opportunity to explore in some depth the impact of fascist and communist ideologies upon music-making. Its focus is primarily upon Europe and America; music under communist regimes in Asia, Africa or South America is beyond the scope of the module.
Music, Sound and the Environment (15 credits)

In this module you will explore the ways in which music and sound permeate the environments in which we live and work, and you will examine the effects of place and space on how you listen.
Computer Programming for Musicians (15 credits)

In this elective module you will be introduced to computer programming, with two main aims: 1) to give you broad foundational skills in programming, and 2) for you to apply these in a music and sound-related context. On completion of the module, you will be able to design, develop and evaluate your own basic software in a code-based environment.
Writing about Music (15 credits)
Sound Recording for Musicians (15 credits)
Music Therapy (15 credits)
Interdisciplinarity and Collaborative Process (15 credits)

Develop critical and analytical understanding of working concepts and processes across a range of practices and media, and to examine the nature of interdisciplinary and intermedia collaboration.
Mentoring and Coaching for Leadership (15 credits)
Micro-Placement (15 credits)

The module seeks to enhance career exploration and will provide you with professional level experience in the form of a self-contained project with one of City’s external employer partners. Completing the Micro-Placement module at level 5 will preclude you having the option to take the Micro-Placement elective module at level 6.
Industry Projects (15 credits)

Using knowledge and skills gained through your degree, you will work in small multi-disciplinary groups on real-life professional level practical projects for employers, choosing between 5 sector streams, such as policy, finance, community, business and arts and culture.
Year Placement: Integrated Professional Training (15 credits)

This module aims to consolidate the learning and development you have gained through professional level experience in the form of a substantial work placement.

Placements

You can apply to take a sandwich year working in a placement between years two and three of the degree as part of the school's Integrated Professional Training Programme.

It is also possible to spend one term on the study abroad scheme and one term in a work placement in the UK. Alternatively, the Erasmus Plus Scheme enables students to spend a year working in Europe.

Download course specification:

USMUSC-BMus-Music.pdf

Teaching and assessment

Our music degrees will be delivered by passionate academics who are internationally recognised as leaders in their fields – and dedicated to helping you succeed in your studies. To maximise the amount of attention given to you on the BMus Music programme, we offer a considerable amount of tuition in small groups and individually. This enables you to tailor your work to your 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 with visiting ensembles and ensembles in residence, including with musicians in residence
Private performance tuition (for solo performers)
Ensemble rehearsals and performances.
Studio-based composition/recording work.
Guided listening and reading.
Independent study and library research.
Written examinations.
Oral presentations.
Ethnographic fieldwork assignments.
Project work.

Individual Instrumental/Vocal Tuition

If you pursue solo performance, you will receive instrumental or vocal tuition at the Department of Performing Arts with highly accomplished professionals who are active in and around London and many of whom also teach at leading conservatoires in the city.

Concerts and the summer festival

Throughout the year, we host public lunchtime concerts and evening recitals as well as a summer festival, featuring performances from a host of world-class musicians to inspire you. Students also perform at these events, so you will have the opportunity to gain professional performance experience.

The BMus course also includes regular performance workshops led by professional musicians. Students participate through both performing and giving peer feedback. This builds a supportive and co-operative culture and helps familiarise students with the experience of performing in front of other musicians.

Assessment methods

Throughout the three years of the music degree, assessment is by a combination of project-based or practical and creative work, and examinations or coursework. You will receive a considerable amount of tuition in small groups and individually to maximise contact and enable you to tailor your work to your personal interests.

Marks obtained in all years contribute to the final degree awarded.

Coursework and examinations are typically worth 30% of the overall module mark, 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.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The balance of assessment by examination, practical examination (including recitals, ensemble performance and oral presentations) and assessment by coursework, extended project work, portfolio and dissertation will depend on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on choices made by students in 2019/20 is as follows:

Assessment

Year 1

Written examination: 20%

Practical: 25%

Coursework: 55%

Year 2

Written examination: 16%

Practical: 30%

Coursework: 54%

Year 3

Written examination: 4%

Practical: 39%

Coursework: 57%

Overall workload

Most contact hours will take the form of a mixture of lectures, seminar presentations, workshops and tutorials, depending on the nature of the module. This programme will include an average of 12 contact hours per week. In addition, you will be expected to undertake 23 independent study hours per week. Approximate study time, based on choices made by students in 2019/20 is as follows:

Workload

Year 1

Scheduled learning: 25%

Independent learning: 75%

Year 2

Scheduled learning: 18%

Independent learning: 82%

Year 3

Scheduled learning: 15%

Independent learning: 85%

Fees and funding

Fees for year 2022/23

£9,250

Overseas/EU

£15,460

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/23 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase, which is normally 2%.

Funding options

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

Fee waivers are available for this course.
Means tested support is available for 2022/23 entry.

Performance scholarships

We offer performance scholarships for entering instrumentalists and vocalists that are renewable each year of study subject to satisfactory academic progress. Twelve scholarships, each worth up to £2,000, are available.

The scholarships will typically be offered to advanced performers beyond Grade-8 level. Our scholarships include two piano-accompanist scholarships of £2,000, and ten of £1,000 each, including up to 5 vocal/choral scholarships.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

Career

City Music alumni work for a wide range of organisations including the BBC, Royal Opera House and Sony.

Recent graduates have gone on to become music teachers, music managers, and music marketing specialists.

City’s BMus degree also provides professional skills that are transferrable to a wide range of professions beyond music.

Some of our alumni have gone into careers in finance, marketing, management, media production (television, radio, theatre), digital industry and events organisation among other areas.

Many pursue further study at postgraduate level, including Masters degrees in sound art, and applied performance.

Placement opportunities

BMus students have recently undertaken placements at:

Brains and Hunch
British Harpischord Society
Les Misérables, The Queen's Theatre (Sound Department)
Live Music Now
London Ear Festival
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Education and Community Department)
MTV
Record of the Day
Richmond Music Trust
The Roundhouse
Songlines Magazine
Southwark Cathedral
Wired4music/Sound Connections
A large number of schools, colleges and community music organisations.

How to apply

Applications for this course are now closed.

Contacting UCAS

Website: www.ucas.com

Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ

Telephone:

from inside the UK 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468

For callers with hearing difficulties:

from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.

Facilities

The performing arts department has outstanding facilities for performance, sound recording and composition.
City is home to a Balinese Gamelan Ensemble; an ornate orchestra of sonorous bronze gongs and metallophones.
You can take advantage of a wide range of facilities including: Advanced recording and composition studios, Professional performance space, Computer laboratories, Rehearsal rooms and Practice rooms.
Our recording studio is equipped to deliver multitrack recording and mixing to a professional standard. Our composition studios include four surround studios (8.1/5.1).
All rooms are spectrum-analysed, soundproofed and acoustically treated to a very high standard.