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With a music degree, you’ll find that there are several different routes you can take. You can choose from many specialisms that range from performance, composition and engineering, to business, theatre, education and so on.
Studying music will equip you with a diverse set of skills invaluable for your chosen discipline. These can include self-management, learning how to perform individually and as part of a wider team, how to perform under pressure and how to plan a project. You'll find these skills incredibly useful in life, not just in music.
If your grades don’t meet the entry requirements to study music at your firm or insurance choice universities, don’t feel too disheartened. You still have plenty of other options to consider, including searching through Clearing to find an alternative course to apply to.
Music degree entry requirements
The minimum UCAS Tariff points to study a course ranges from 96 points (CCC at A-level) to points 128 (ABB at A-level), with the average being 120 points (BBB at A-level).
For applicants with A-levels, some universities will require you to have studied music. If you are taking a performance-based music course, you will often be expected to have achieved a minimum grade of 7 ABRSM (or equivalent) in your main instrument. However, other universities will have no specific entry requirements. Typically, subjects such as general studies and critical thinking are excluded and cannot be counted as part of your points total.
Entry requirements for BTEC applicants range from DDM for the top universities, to as little as MMM. In some cases, you’ll need to have studied a music-based subject or have a combination of BTECs and A-levels.
A small number of universities do offer music degrees with integrated foundation years, specifically for students who don’t have the required qualifications to gain direct entry onto their degree programme. The first year is designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for degree-level study.
The entry requirements for these courses are much lower – as little as 64 UCAS points – so could be a good option for you. It’s important to remember though, that not only will your degree take longer to complete, the extra year will add additional course fees and living expenses to the cost of your studies.
Music Degree Entry Requirements
| Type | Minimum Grades/Points Required (with Foundation Year) | Minimum Grades/Points Required | Maximum Grades/Points Required | Average Grades/Points Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCAS Points | 64 | 96 | 128 | 120 |
| A-level | CC | CCC | ABB | BBB |
| BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma | MPP | MMM | DDM | DMM |
| International Baccalaureate | 24 | 24 | 38 | 26 |
Note: The exact entry requirements for music courses will vary from university to university. It’s important to check the individual course pages for exact entry information – including information on what other qualifications may be accepted – before making any applications.
It’s important to remember that universities don’t just assess you on your grades or UCAS points totals. They'll also take into account your personal statement and how well you’ve communicated your passion for the subject and your chosen career path. They'll also want to see what you can contribute to university life, so will look favourably on students who’ve been active members of clubs and societies at college/sixth form.
Some universities may also ask students to attend an interview or selection day and your performance here will form part of your application success.
Top tip: If you've only just missed out on the grades/UCAS points needed for your chosen university, it’s worth giving them a call to see if they would be willing to accept you – based on your personal statement and interview performance. There are no guarantees, but it’s worth a try.
The best universities to study music
Our sister site, the Complete University Guide, publishes university league tables every year ranking UK unis nationally and in 70+ subject areas. Check out the latest rankings to get an idea of the best UK unis for music.
How to compare music courses in Clearing
Other important information to look at when choosing a music course includes: what the module choices are, how you’ll be taught and/or assessed, whether there are placement opportunities and what the graduate employment rates are.
You can compare courses based on all these important factors right here on Whatuni. To start your search, head over to Whatuni’s Clearing Tool and enter ‘music’ into the search bar. Then you can start browsing through the information pages for each course, comparing them to all the important factors listed above.
Top Tip: During Clearing, some universities have been known to lower the entry requirements for some of their courses. There's no way to tell if this will happen to music courses in Clearing, but if a university has a lot of vacancies to fill, they may be willing to accept students with lower grades.
The easiest way to see which courses your grades make you eligible for is to click the ‘YOUR GRADES’ button located at the top of the search results page and fill in the on-screen form. The list will then be personalised with matching courses:
Once you’ve compiled a list of courses, you then need to decide which of the shortlisted universities you’d be most happy at for the next three to four years. A good place to begin your research is the university’s prospectus, which will give you an overview of what they offer students in terms of learning facilities, accommodation, social activities, financial support and student support.
We would also advise you to book an open day at each university – if you have time to do so. This will give you a chance to have a closer look at the campus and perhaps speak to some current students and/or potential tutors. Open day events are really useful for helping you build a picture of what your life there might be like and whether you’d enjoy it.
Before making any final decisions, we’d also suggest you check our student reviews. They'll give you an honest insight into what it’s really like to study and live at your shortlisted universities. Simply enter the university name and/or subject name to see what students are saying:
What if I can’t find a music course in Clearing?
If you haven’t been able to find or secure a place on a suitable Music course in Clearing, don’t despair. There are still some other options available to you:
- Apply for a joint honours degree: If you can’t find a suitable music course to apply for, then one alternative is to search for a joint honours course where music makes up one half of the degree. Common subjects to be paired with music include business, drama, education and electronic engineering. Just make sure to think carefully about your future career aspirations before making a decision.
- Study a music HNC/HND: Higher National Certificates and Diplomas are vocational-based courses equivalent to one (HNC) or two (HND) years of a bachelor's degree. They aim to produce graduates who are ready for employment in a wide range of music-related careers. The entry requirements for music HNCs and HNDs are a lot lower than for a degree – as low as 21 UCAS points.
- Study a music foundation degree: Much like HNDs, foundation degrees (FdSc) are vocational-based courses that last two years full-time and are worth two years of a bachelor’s degree. Entry requirements range from 32 and 120 UCAS points (EE – BBB) at A-level or PPP – DMM-DDM at BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma. They are ideal for those who didn’t get the grades for entry onto a degree or for mature students looking to re-enter higher education. After completing a Foundation degree students can progress onto the third year of a BSc/BA degree or gain employment.
- Resit your exams: If none of these alternative options appeals to you, or you have your heart set on a particular course at a particular university, then you could opt to re-sit your A-level exams and apply for university entry next year.
