BMus Music
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BMus in Music. Core topics include Programming, Research Methods, Historical Research, and Design & Creative Practice. The course includes weekly one-to-one instrumental or vocal lessons alongside ensemble performance. Final-year students complete a dissertation of 13,000 to 15,000 words on a topic in musicology, performance studies, or theory and analysis.
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-BBB (Required subjects: A-level Music or Grade 7 Music Theory at Pass 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 in performance at point of entry. If you are studying two A-level subjects, you may still be eligible for entry to the Music BMus (single honours), if you are able to provide evidence of your ongoing commitment to music. For this pathway, the standard offer is A B including Music. We require candidates to be performing to Grade 8 ABRSM standard, to have studied music theory to Grade 5 ABRSM level, and have a substantial record of musical performance or other musical achievements, which they should detail in their Personal Statement. We require English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade 4 (C) In some cases, a theory test may need to be completed and performance sample provided upon request in order to meet specific Music requirements) IB: 6,5,5 at Higher Level or 32 points overall including Music at Higher Level or Grade 7 Music Theory at Pass plus Grade 7 Music Performance.
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for BMus Music (W302) at Royal Holloway, University of London for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is ABB at A level.
What students say
Based on about 28 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 92%
- Assessment and feedback: 91%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 97%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 95%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 5%
Most common jobs
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 25%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 25%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
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 40 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- 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
- Bach: Context and Reception
- Baroque Performance Practice
- The ‘Classical’ Canon and ‘Popular' Culture since 1945
- Composing with Technology 1
- Composing with Technology 2
- Composition Portfolio
- Contemporary Music Performance
- Creative Project in Composition, Performance and Technology
- Digital Tools for Music Studies
- Ensemble Performance
- Introduction to Jazz: Theory, Practice and Contexts
- Issues in Sound, Music and the Moving Image
- Korean Percussion Performance
- Late Beethoven
- Mahler and Viennese Modernism, 1897-1918
- Mozart's Operas
- Musical Aesthetics
- Music and Gender
- Music and Video Games
- Music Pedagogy
- Music, Power and Politics
- Music and Society in Purcell's London
- Popular Music and Musicians in Post-War Britain and North America
- Practical and Creative Orchestration
- Practical Conducting (Choral and Orchestral)
- Practical Performance I
- The String Quartets of Dmitri Shostakovich
- Wagner's Ring
- Special Study: Dissertation
- Special Study: Theory and Analysis
- Special Study: Solo Performance
- Special Study: Composition
- Practical Performance 2
- The Music Film
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BMus 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 £3,500 more than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BMus Music at Royal Holloway, University of London do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BMus Music at Royal Holloway, University of London?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BMus 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 163 UCAS points.
Does BMus 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 BMus Music at Royal Holloway, University of London?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.