Music BA (Hons)

Music BA (Hons) at Northumbria University allows you to call the tune on your music career!

With 20 hours of individual instrumental or vocal tuition per year, which works out at an hour a week, modules in instrumental or vocal teaching, classroom teaching, and a selection of music history modules, this course allows you to pursue your passion in a way that can lead to many musical career pathways.

The music facilities at Northumbria situate brand new musical instruments inside carefully considered spaces. Our world-class Steinway piano is in The Great Hall, Sutherland Building, where the grand Grade II Listed architecture enhances each note, and spacious practice facilities are found in the basement.

Standard Entry

120 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Subject Requirements:

Applicants should be performing at grade 7 level or above in Music Performance, or a recognised equivalent, and the ability to read music (staff notation).

Applicants not taking graded music examinations will be considered, and you may be asked to attend an online audition. You should ensure that your musical experience is detailed in your personal statement.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

Additional Requirements:

Applicants may be asked to submit a video recording demonstrating their performance ability, and have a discussion with academics about their application.

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

Our aim is to produce graduates who are creative thinkers, with the ability to apply their in-depth knowledge of music in a professional setting. At Northumbria, our partnerships with cultural organisations, such as Newcastle Cathedral, the Samling Institute for Young Artists and Newcastle Lit & Phil, expose you to real working and performance environments. We work with music hubs (which deliver instrumental/vocal teaching to schools) to provide you with opportunities to go out on teaching placements. In collaboration with Trinity Exam Board, we have hosted several events relating to music teaching and graded examinations. Your engagement with teaching opportunities, and your growing understanding of the music industry, will shape you into a musician ready for a freelance portfolio career and to set yourself up in business.

You will be able to gain experience valuable to the world of arts administration, and there is an additional option to take a year of work experience, or study abroad, in the middle of your degree.