BA Music
About this course
BA in Music, a music degree focused on academic and practical approaches to sonic art and culture. The course is broadly based but allows increasing specialisation and choice as studies proceed. The first year covers core grounding through modules such as Foundations in the Study of Music, Stylistic Composition, Musical Analysis and Critical Listening, and Musical Skills (Conducting, Keyboard Skills, Arranging). Students also engage with practical and historical strands including Performance, Composition, Extended Essay, and Critical Studies in Ethnomusicology. Additional foundational study is available via Historically Informed Performance and specialised topics such as Global Hip Hop and Music, Mind, Behaviour.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAA IB: 38 (including core points) with 666 at HL
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What students say
Based on about 24 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 67%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 64%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 80 students who started
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 38 graduates who answered
- Working: 57%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 45%
- South East: 25%
Who gets in
Based on about 70 students who started
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Foundations in the Study of Music
- Stylistic Composition
- Topics I, for example: Machaut’s Songs; Women and Music in the 19th Century; Music, Mind, Behaviour; Global Hip Hop
- Musical Analysis and Critical Listening
- Extended Essay
- Composition
- Performance
- Critical Studies in Ethnomusicology
- Historically Informed Performance
- Musical Skills (Conducting, Keyboard Skills, Arranging)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Music at University of Oxford earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £31,500 after 3 years, £35,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £46,500. The £35,500 median after five years is £11,000 more than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BA Music at University of Oxford do next?
87% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Music at University of Oxford?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Music at University of Oxford?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 189 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Music at University of Oxford?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.