BA Music
About this course
BA (Hons) in Music BA (Hons), a music degree centred on practical performance, composition, and academic inquiry within the subject area of Music. Core topics include Programming, Research Methods, Project Management, Communication & Writing, and Entrepreneurship. Students receive one-on-one instrumental teaching, individual guidance for large-scale projects, and opportunities to perform in venues ranging from local spaces to York Minster. The first year establishes foundational proficiencies through compulsory modules such as Composing, Arranging, and Producing, Ensembles, Teamwork, and Facilitation, Vox, Perspectives on Music, Sustainable Performance and Practices in Music, and Percussion. The second year introduces core studies in Musical Exploration, Performance in/and Contexts, Ensembles and Project Management, and Research in Music, alongside optional modules including Composition Strategies, Community Music, Education, and Inclusive Practices, Community Music, Wellbeing, and Social Justice, and Songwriting Strategies. The third year consolidates professional readiness through compulsory modules like Presenting Your Research, Collaborative Project, Professional Performance Practices, and Entrepreneurship in Music, supported by optional choices such as Advanced Community Music and Advanced Composition.
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
Minimum entry requirements: 104 UCAS Tariff points; and 3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.
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What students say
Based on about 8 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 98%
- Assessment and feedback: 100%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 90%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 100%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 14 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 35%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 35%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 5%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 40%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 145 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 10%
- North West: 8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 63%
- East Midlands: 8%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 3%
- South East: 1%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Composing, Arranging, and Producing
- Ensembles, Teamwork, and Facilitation
- Vox
- Perspectives on Music
- Sustainable Performance and Practices in Music
- Percussion
- Musical Exploration
- Composition Strategies
- Community Music, Education, and Inclusive Practices
- Performance in/and Contexts
- Ensembles and Project Management
- Research in Music
- Community Music, Wellbeing, and Social Justice
- Songwriting Strategies
- Presenting Your Research
- Collaborative Project
- Professional Performance Practices
- Advanced Community Music
- Advanced Composition
- Entrepreneurship in Music
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Music at York St John University earn?
The median salary is £20,000 after 15 months, £18,500 after 3 years, £22,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £27,500. The £22,500 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BA Music at York St John University 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 York St John University?
98% 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 York St John University?
The average entrant had 126 UCAS points.
Does BA Music at York St John University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA Music at York St John University?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.