BA Music
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in Music, a music degree centred on historical, analytical, and practical aspects of musical study. Core topics include Research Methods and Design & Creative Practice. The curriculum incorporates 20 hours of fully funded instrumental or vocal tuition annually, alongside access to specialist recording studios and performance venues. The first year establishes foundational knowledge through compulsory modules such as Common Practice Tonality Fundamentals, Music Production Fundamentals, Music in Context 1, Music in Context 2, Performance Fundamentals 1, and The (Undergraduate) Learning Curve, with optional choices including Composition Fundamentals and Ensemble Performance Fundamentals. The second year shifts towards specialized themes and preparation for external opportunities, featuring compulsory modules like Humanities Study Abroad Preparation Module, Music Education and Social Justice, Sounding Equality: A Sustainable Music History, Year Abroad Report Module for Humanities Students, and Year in Employment, alongside options such as Composition Workshop, Conducting, Film Music Composition, Global Hip Hop, Jazz Theory, and Music Therapy 1: Fundamentals. Optional modules in the final year allow students to undertake advanced study through choices such as Composition Project, Ensemble Performance 2, Music Therapy 2: Beneath the Surface, and Research Project, culminating in a detailed dissertation or original portfolio.
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 to BBB including Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard* IB: Pass, with 32 to 30 points overall with 16 to 15 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in Music and Grade 8 Music Practical or demonstrated equivalent standard*
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What students say
Based on about 34 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 79%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 25%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 25%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 40 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 25%
- South East: 40%
- South West: 15%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 75%
- A degree: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Common Practice Tonality Fundamentals
- Music Production Fundamentals
- Music in Context 1
- Music in Context 2
- Performance Fundamentals 1
- The (Undergraduate) Learning Curve
- Composition Fundamentals
- Ensemble Performance Fundamentals
- Music sources and transmission
- Performance Fundamentals 2
- Humanities Study Abroad Preparation Module
- Music Education and Social Justice
- Sounding Equality: A Sustainable Music History
- Year Abroad Report Module for Humanities Students
- Year in Employment
- 19th Century Italian Opera: Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi
- Adventures in Musical Research
- Composition Workshop
- Conducting
- Ensemble Performance 1
- Film Music Composition
- Global Hip Hop
- Jazz Theory
- Music Therapy 1: Fundamentals
- Music and Sound Production 1
- Music in the Community with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
- Orchestration and Arranging
- Performance Tuition (Single Study)
- Second Year Performance Recital
- Sonic Performance Lab
- The American Musical
- The Art of Song
- The Business of Music
- The Producer as Composer: digital sound & songwriting in practice
- Them Changes: Composing and arranging for jazz and jazz influenced genres.
- “To Sweeten my bitterness”: Love, sex and gender in medieval musicking
- 19th Century Italian Opera: Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi
- 19th Century Italian Opera: Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi
- Adventures in Musical Research
- Composition Project
- Composition Workshop
- Conducting
- Ensemble Performance 2
- Film Music Composition
- Global Hip Hop
- Jazz Theory
- Music Therapy 1: Fundamentals
- Music Therapy 2: Beneath the Surface
- Music and Sound Production 1
- Music in the Community with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
- Orchestration and Arranging
- Performance Recital
- Performance Tuition (Single Study)
- Research Project
- Sonic Performance Lab
- Streaming, Social Media, and Stans: Music Culture in the Platform Era
- The American Musical
- The Art of Song
- The Business of Music
- The Producer as Composer: digital sound & songwriting in practice
- Them Changes: Composing and arranging for jazz and jazz influenced genres.
- “To Sweeten my bitterness”: Love, sex and gender in medieval musicking
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Music at University of Southampton earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £21,000 after 3 years, £30,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £36,000. The £30,500 median after five years is £6,000 more than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BA Music at University of Southampton 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 at University of Southampton?
89% 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 Southampton?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 148 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Music at University of Southampton?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.