Music
BA (Hons)
Key facts
UCAS code
W300
Start dates
September 2023 / September 2024
Location
Course length
Full time: 3 years, or 4 years with a work placement
Part time: 5 - 8 years
Department
UCAS Tariff Points
104
Overview
Create, develop and experiment with music that you’re passionate about through this flexible degree.
We cover music from practice to technology and history to theory. You'll explore topics from classical to pop to film music and beyond.
You'll study:
- Composition
- Performance
- Musicology
- Recording
You’ll choose whether to specialise or mix and match modules after year one.
You’ll join a lively music community. We have a variety of ensembles and student-led groups contributing to the musical culture of Oxford city.
You’ll work in the music industry. A placement in year two and live projects for real clients gives you professional experience through our industry links. The International Field trip explores music making abroad.
You'll be taught by leading academics and practitioners, we ensure you explore and are ambitious with your interests. You also have the option of third year placement / internship to build on your learning. Our students succeed in a range of careers and further study, including producing, composing, performing, and teaching.
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How to apply
Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.
Standard offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 104
A Level: BCC
IB Points: 29
BTEC: DMM
Contextual offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 88
A Level: CCD
IB Points: 27
BTEC: MMM
Further offer details
We welcome applicants with a wide range of experiences and expertise in music. A-level Music is welcome, but not essential.
Offers can also include music qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff Points (eg ABRSM, Trinity / Guildhall, Rock school).
We welcome applications from candidates with alternative or non-traditional qualifications, and from mature students. There is no requirement for A level Music or music grade exams.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
Selection process
We welcome applicants from any musical background. If you fulfill the entry criteria (see above), then we will assess your application and make you an offer. If we are not sure whether your music qualifications are suitable, then you will normally be invited to demonstrate your ability through a portfolio and interview once you have made your application.
Whether or not you expect to be formally interviewed, after you have applied, you are welcome to book an appointment with a member of the teaching team, to ask any questions about the course, or just to get to know us and show us your work. Email us at music@brookes.co.uk to make an appointment, or for queries about the application process. We would love to hear from you.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Many of our courses consider applications for entry part-way through the course for students who have credit from previous learning or relevant professional experience.
Find out more about transferring to Brookes. If you'd like to talk through your options, please contact our Admissions team.
Application process
Full time Home (UK) applicants
Apply through UCASPart time Home (UK) applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityInternational applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityFull time international applicants can also apply through UCAS
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Please note, tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.
Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Optional costs
| Additional costs | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. |
From £30 |
| You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. | £20-60 per book |
Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) |
£94-265 per week |
Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) |
£122-180 per week |
Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. |
Typically £0-200 |
Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. BrookesBus travel is subsidised for full-time undergraduate students that are on a course with a fee of £9,250 or more, or living in an Oxford Brookes hall of residence. There is an administration fee for the production of a BrookesKey. |
From £8 |
Funding your studies
Financial support and scholarships
Featured funding opportunities available for this course.
All financial support and scholarships
Learning and assessment
Our flexible course draws on staff expertise. You will;
- engage with traditional and digital technologies of music making
- develop your skills in critical thinking and self-reflection
- explore the world of music through the International Field Trip and Work Experience modules.
Our modules examine interactions or similarities between different musical genres, as well as considering their differences. In our musicology modules;
- ‘Introduction to Music History’ and ‘Exploring Popular Music’ covers classical and popular music
- Understanding Music on Screen covers film, television, and video game music
- Music in Society considers how different types of music interact with broader culture over time.
Different modules encompassing music composition, performance and integrating technology into your musical practice will develop your skills and thinking for a career within music, across a variety of genres. The choice of modules will allow you to concentrate on one of these areas in order to specialise, or to combine studies in these areas in order to gain a wider perspective.
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Study modules
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
Teaching and learning methods vary depending on activities.
In Year 1 you will study core skills and theory. Learning activities will include:
- lectures
- seminars
- individual and group projects
- performances
- coursework
In Years 2 and 3 you can specialize in one or more musical genres, as well as exploring music in the context of a European City and the creative industries through the International Field Trip and Work Experience modules.
Example routes through the programme include:
- Music Technology Route
- Musicology Route
- Performance Route
- Composition Route
Learning activities vary depending on the route chosen and include:
- International Field Trip
- Work placement
- Recording Studio Practice
- Group Performance
- Song writing
- Professional skills
- Music Technology: Editing and Mixing Advanced Composition
- Practical Musicianship Skills
- Music History
- Written dissertation
- Solo Performance
- Composition Music Project
- Film and Media Composition.
Field trips
Field trips have included:
- visits to local places of musical interest, such as the Bodleian Library and the Bate Collection of the University of Music
- seeing an opera production at the English National Opera at the London Coliseum
- sound walks in urban and rural spaces
- music trade shows and exhibitions
- international field trip to Milan.
A separate fee will apply to an optional field trip. Please contact our Enquiry Centre (see 'Contact us') if you would like more information about the field trip(s) on this course.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
The course is 100% assessed through coursework. All group work is supported and monitored closely to ensure fairness and maximum participation.
This course encourages you to develop professional skills and you will have the opportunity to:
- use traditional and digital recording tools
- compose, perform and record in a wide variety of genres
- collaborate with other students from across the School of Arts
- make a podcast vlog or blog
- design your own research and/or creative projects
- take part in, organise and run live and online events.
Study abroad
You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Brookes. Most exchanges take place in the second year. Although we will help as much as we can with your plans, ultimately you are responsible for organising and funding this study abroad.
After you graduate
Career prospects
Graduates from Brookes Music have taken up positions in the music industry and the media, arts administration, teaching and business as well as successful freelance roles. Many have also continued their study at postgraduate level.
Our music degree develops general skills appropriate for careers where a lively, questioning and organised mind is required, whether inside the creative industries or in other areas of work.
Recently music graduates from Brookes have found employment with:
- Dolby laboratories
- Welsh National Opera (performance)
- concert promoters Pegasus Theatre, Music at Oxford and Oxford Contemporary Music
- Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and Rock School
- international publishing companies Faber Music, Boosey & Hawkes and Oxford University Press
- secondary schools in the region and beyond, eg Merchants’ Academy Bristol and Didcot Girls School
- BBC Radio and television.
Further study
A growing number of our undergraduate students continue studying at university after they have graduated, demonstrating the academic excellence of the music programme. Many opt for a PGCE, while others study on MA and PhD level.
Oxford Brookes offers its own MA Music with four specialist pathways and the opportunity to study for a PhD in musicology or composition.
Student profiles
Our Staff
Dr Matt Lawson
Dr Matt Lawson is musicologist with a particular interest in music for film, television, and video games.
Read more about MattFree language courses
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Information from Discover Uni
Full-time study
Part-time study
Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been
published on the website. For more information, please visit our
changes to programmes page.