BA Music
About this course
BA (Hons) Music, a music degree exploring academic, historical and practical dimensions of the discipline. Core topics include Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice. The curriculum integrates practical performance, musicology, analysis, and sound technology. The first year introduces foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Core Skills for Musical Study, Listen to This!: Critical Approaches to Music 1, Creative and Professional Practice 1, and Analyse This!: Critical Approaches to Music 2, alongside various optional choices. The second year continues with compulsory study in Critical Thinking and Listening and Creative and Professional Practice 2, paired with options covering history, conducting, and composition. The final year involves advanced compulsory modules including Extended Recital, Extended Composition Folio, Extended Solo Project, and Creative and Professional Practice 3. Students can further tailor their studies through numerous optional modules spanning specialized repertoire, advanced composition, and media music, with independent projects forming a central component of the final stage.
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: AAB including A in Music If you are not taking A level Music we will accept AAB in three A Levels plus ABRSM or Trinity Grade 5 Theory and Grade 8 Performance. Other equivalent qualifications and exam boards may be considered on a case by case basis. IB: 35 points including 6 in Music at Higher Level BTEC: DDD in Music. If you are taking a BTEC in a different subject, an additional A Level or equivalent qualification in Music will be required.
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for BA Music (W300) at the University of York for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is AAB at A level.
What students say
Based on about 21 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 14 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 7%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 23%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 16%
- London: 27%
- South East: 14%
- South West: 5%
- Northern Ireland: 4%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 90%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Core Skills for Musical Study
- Listen to This!: Critical Approaches to Music 1
- Creative and Professional Practice 1
- Analyse This!: Critical Approaches to Music 2
- Composition 1
- Developing Themes: Music in the Long Nineteenth Century
- Instrumental Music Education
- Introduction to the Psychology of Music
- Musicians' Health and Wellness
- Music’s Meanings
- Performance and Context
- The Body in Musical Performance
- Women Making Music
- Critical Thinking and Listening
- Creative and Professional Practice 2
- Chamber Music
- Conducting
- ‘Dancing about Architecture’: Writing about Music
- History of African American Music
- Playing with the Past
- Remix
- Sound Studies
- The Uses of Tonality
- Writing and Producing Songs
- Extended Recital
- Extended Composition Folio
- Extended Solo Project
- Creative and Professional Practice 3
- Recital
- Composition Folio
- Solo Project
- Advanced Composition
- Analysing Classical Sonatas
- History of Film Music
- Instrumental / Orchestration, or, The Use of Timbre
- Music Education and Social Justice
- Musical Borrowing
- Solo Voice Ensemble Singing
- Sonic Fictions: Technology, Culture & the Future of Music
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Music at University of York earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £23,500 after 3 years, £26,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £32,000. The £26,000 median after five years is £1,500 more than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BA Music at University of York do next?
75% 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 York?
91% 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 York?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 159 UCAS points.
Does BA Music at University of York 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 at University of York?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.