BA Mathematics and Music
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BA in Mathematics and Music, combining mathematical methods with musical analysis and performance. Core topics include Programming, Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, Research Methods, Historical Research, and Fieldwork. The joint honours programme is structured as a 50/50 split between mathematics and music. Students complete a 13,000–15,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choice in the final year.
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: ABB-ABC (Required subjects: A-level Mathematics at grade A A-level grade B Music or pass in Grade 7 Music Theory plus Grade 7 Music Performance Applicants without A-level in Music or pass in Grade 7 Music Theory may be eligible for the Intensive Theory entry. This requires Music GCSE grade A/7 or equivalent, plus performance at Grade 7 level. In term 1 you will be required to take Fundamentals of Music Theory, an intensive music literacy course. Students wishing to take Solo Performance options will need to be of Grade 8 level at point of entry GCSE English Language grade 4 (C) GCSE Mathematics grade 4 (C)) IB: 6,5,5 at Higher Level or 32 points overall including 6 HL Maths and Music or Grade 7 Music Theory at Pass plus Grade 7 Music Performance
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What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 78%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Information Technology Professionals: 25%
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Finance Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 135 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 12%
- London: 38%
- South East: 27%
- South West: 7%
- Wales: 3%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 70 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 94%
- Baccalaureate: 3%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Calculus
- Calculus II
- Introduction to Pure Mathematics
- Linear Algebra I
- Theory and Analysis
- Fundamentals of Music Theory
- Creative Composition Techniques
- A Very Short History of Music
- Introduction to Historical Musicology
- Introduction to World Music
- Contemporary Debates in Music
- Solo Performance
- Creative Ensemble Performance
- Introduction to Composing with Music Technology
- Probability Theory
- Graphs and Optimisation
- Linear Algebra II
- Studies in Music Analysis
- Studies in Composition
- Studies in Music History
- Studies in Ethnomusicology
- Studies in Music, Media and Technology
- Practical Performance I
- Vector Calculus
- Statistical Methods 2
- Ordinary Differential Equations and Fourier Analysis
- Ring Theory
- Group Theory
- Further Linear Algebra and Modules
- Complex Analysis
- Ensemble Performance
- Composition Portfolio
- Practical and Creative Orchestration
- Practical Conducting (Choral and Orchestral)
- Composing with Technology 1
- Introduction to Jazz: Theory, Practice and Contexts
- Popular Music and Musicians in Post-War Britain and North America
- Korean Percussion Performance
- Musical Aesthetics
- Mozart's Operas
- Issues in Sound, Music and the Moving Image
- Music and Society in Purcell's London
- Contemporary Music Performance
- Music, Power and Politics
- Ideas of German Music from Mozart to Henze
- Music and Gender
- Special Study: Dissertation
- Special Study: Theory and Analysis
- Special Study: Solo Performance
- Special Study: Composition
- Mathematics Project
- Mathematics in the Classroom
- Number Theory
- Computational Number Theory
- Complexity Theory
- Principles of Algorithm Design
- Quantum Theory 1
- Quantum Theory 2
- Dynamics of Real Fluids
- Non-Linear Dynamic Systems
- Inference
- Time Series Analysis
- Channels
- Quantum Information and Coding
- Mathematics of Financial Markets
- Financial Mathematics II
- Combinatorics
- Error Correcting Codes
- Cipher Systems
- Cryptography
- Applications of Field Theory
- Topology
- Practical Performance 2
- Composing with Technology 2
- Markov Chains and Applications
- Introduction to Optimisation
- Game Theory
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Mathematics and Music at Royal Holloway, University of London earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £22,500 after 3 years, £28,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,000 and £34,500. The £28,000 median after five years is £11,500 less than the UK median for Mathematics.
What do graduates of BA Mathematics and Music at Royal Holloway, University of London do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Mathematics and Music at Royal Holloway, University of London?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Mathematics and Music at Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 148 UCAS points.
Does BA Mathematics and Music at Royal Holloway, University of London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Mathematics and Music at Royal Holloway, University of London?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.