If you have ability in music and an interest in its cultural background and technique then this programme is for you. In each year you are given a range of options from which to choose, allowing you to design your own degree to cater to your own particular interests and strengths.

Programme structure

Year 1

Initially you will take two courses: Listening & repertory and Musicianship.

Listening & repertory introduces the study of key musical works and widens your listening through a broad historical survey. By studying works and composers, you will learn about how pieces of music are structured and organised. You will learn to identify different historical styles and gain a sense of how and why music has changed from the medieval period to the present day.

The Musicianship course enhances your music literacy and practical and critical skills, through group exercises and lectures. You will be helped with the technical side of music: harmony and counterpoint, composition, sight singing, music analysis, and writing about music. You will also explore the science of musical sound and technological aspects of music.

You will also study two other subjects of your choice in year 1: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2

All students are required to take a course in musical techniques which helps you with the core musical disciplines of harmony and counterpoint and stylistic composition. In addition, you choose one course (or two if continuing to Music Honours) reflecting your own preferences and strengths.

You will also study two other subjects in year 2: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

If you successfully complete the courses in years 1 and 2 you may progress to Honours (years 3 and 4).

Year 3

In third year you can choose from a range of subjects including historiography and criticism, sonic arts, composition, jazz and blues, aesthetics and philosophy of music, modernist musical aesthetics, opera (taught in conjunction with Scottish Opera) and performance (subject to successful audition).

Year 4

In fourth year you can choose from a further range of subjects including film music, contemporary music ensemble, multimedia, notation, aspects of modernity, and the music of Scotland. You will also be able to write a dissertation. This is an extended piece of research and writing on a topic of your own choice and for which you will receive one-to-one supervision.

Special features

Our international links

Career prospects

Academic entry requirements
for entry in 2014

MA

Highers: AAAA or AAABB (including English and a humanities subject or a language (including Gaelic) at grades A/B or B/A) in first sitting = unconditional offer.

Applicants who achieved AAAB or AABBB (including English and a humanities subject or a language (including Gaelic) at grades A/B or B/A) at their first sitting WILL receive an offer from the University. This offer may be conditional (on second sitting results) or unconditional, depending on how many applications are received from students who have attained these grades.

Additional offers, either conditional or unconditional, MAY be made to applicants who achieved AABB or ABBB at their first sitting. A decision re these applications will be made in March 2014 once all applications have been reviewed.

Merit in Grade 7 practical and theory exams of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music will be considered as an equivalent to Higher Music at Grade B. There is no audition for MA entry.

A-levels: AAB including Music.

AAB in non-Music subjects plus Merit in Grade 7 practical and theory exams of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music will also be accepted. There is no audition for MA entry.

IB: A minimum of 34 points is required to be considered for an offer. Actual offers will specify subjects and grades to be attained at Higher Level.

Interviews

Applicants without evidence of Music may be considered on an individual basis following interview.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

For further information about English language, please contact the Language Centre.

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details. If you’re from outside the EU, please see International students for more information.

Scholarships

We offer a wide range of scholarships to our undergraduates, including both home/EU and international students. The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That’s why we’ve invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding over the last year.
 
For a full list of scholarships including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see:

• Scholarships