BA Music with Political Studies
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BA in Politics and International Relations and Music, combining political studies with music. Core topics include Programming, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Policy Analysis, and Historical Research. The degree is weighted 75% music and 25% politics. Later years offer specialisation in areas such as European integration, democratic theory, and political communication.
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 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. 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 plus Grade 7 Music Performance.
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What students say
Based on about 44 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 90%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 85 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 92%
- Left higher education: 8%
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
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- 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
- Introduction to Politics and Government
- Theory and Analysis
- 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
- Studies in Music Analysis
- Studies in Composition
- Studies in Music History
- Studies in Ethnomusicology
- Studies in Music, Media and Technology
- Practical Performance I
- 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
- Practical Ethics
- Musical Aesthetics
- Mozart's Operas
- Issues in Sound, Music and the Moving Image
- Intercultural Performance: Theory and Practice
- 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
- Hearing the Orient: Critical and Practical Approaches to the Middle East
- Understanding the European Union: Politics and Theory
- Democracy in Britain
- Contemporary Political Theory
- Modern Political Thought
- Introduction to Political Communication
- Politics Outside the West
- Practical Performance 2
- Composing with Technology 2
- Special Study: Dissertation
- Special Study: Theory and Analysis
- Special Study: Solo Performance
- Special Study: Composition
- European Union Public Policy
- Radical Political Theory I: Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche
- Young People's Politics
- Leadership, Power and the British Prime Ministership
- Visual Politics
- American Political Development
- The Politics of Russia and Eastern Europe
- The Politics of International Development
- Issues in Democratic Theory
- Political Theories of Freedom
- Comparative Political Leadership
- Global Environmental Politics
- Parliamentary Studies
- Latin American Politics
- Social Diversity and Political Representation
- Politics of South Asia
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Music with Political Studies 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 £6,000 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Music with Political Studies 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 Music with Political Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Music with Political Studies 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 Music with Political Studies 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 Music with Political Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London?
92% of students continued into their second year, and 8% left higher education.