Music BMus (Hons)
University of Manchester
Student rating
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( 4.1) View reviews

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Different course options
2 options available
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Qualification

Bachelor of Music (with Honours) - BMus (Hon)

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Music (with Honours) - BMus (Hon)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

SELECTED

Qualification

Bachelor of Music (with Honours) - BMus (Hon)

Location

Main Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-26

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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Music
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Exam type

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A level
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Scottish Higher
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Scottish Advanced Higher
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Access to HE Diploma
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AS
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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Extended Project
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
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OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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Location

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Rest of World
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Course info

Our MusB Music course is diverse and flexible, enabling you to choose the course units that interest you the most to build upon existing interests while allowing you the room to discover new forms and traditions of music and new ways of understanding, performing and creating music.The course offers excellence in Performance , Composition and Musicology , incorporating specialisms in Music Theory and Analysis, and Ethnomusicology.Course content is regularly updated based on our research to ...Read more

Our MusB Music course is diverse and flexible, enabling you to choose the course units that interest you the most to build upon existing interests while allowing you the room to discover new forms and traditions of music and new ways of understanding, performing and creating music.The course offers excellence in Performance , Composition and Musicology , incorporating specialisms in Music Theory and Analysis, and Ethnomusicology.Course content is regularly updated based on our research to reflect the latest findings in music scholarships. You will also receive support in preparing for the workplace; our graduates go on to work in the music profession, the creative industries and beyond.You will learn from internationally recognised academics and a roster of professional instrumental and vocal tutors drawn from Manchester and the wider north-west.Our teaching and music-making takes place in the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama. You will rehearse, take masterclasses and perform in the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall and can get your hands on the latest digital audio technology in the award-winning NOVARS studios for electroacoustic music and interactive media.You will also benefit musically, academically and socially from the extensive music-making and management opportunities provided by the Music Society , the Choral Programme and the department , with 100+ concerts and events taking place each year.And this is to say nothing of the diversity of music to be experienced in cosmopolitan Manchester, a global city for the performing arts with a rich heritage of professional and amateur music-making.

Key stats

CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
4th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
22nd
Music
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 92 = 8% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
8%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
95%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Music graduate salary at this uni
£17,000
UK Music graduate salary
£17,000
What students say
E
Esme
21 Feb 25

Music is an extremely social course so there is lots of opportunity to make friends and collaborate. If you are not a classical musician or jazz musician there might not be as..Read more

H
Harriet
14 Feb 25

The city is great and the course is run well. Sometimes I find there aren't enough study spaces...Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

AAB Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Scottish Advanced Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Access to HE Diploma:

D:39,M:6 Grades / Points required

AS:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

D3,D3,M2 Grades / Points required

Extended Project:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

35 Grades / Points required

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma:

DD Grades / Points required

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate:

D Grades / Points required

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma:

DD Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DD Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016):

D Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDD Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

D Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

AAB, normally including A in Music.If you are not taking A-level Music, we normally require AAB plus ABRSM Grade 7 Theory.Students wishing to pursue performance units should have the equivalent of ABRSM Grade 8 on an instrument or voice (preferably at Distinction), to be achieved by the start of the course.We will consider applications from candidates who do not meet one or more of the requirements for A Level Music, graded theory or performance exams, and will assess each one on its individual merits, taking into account experience and circumstances. If this applies to you, please contact us to discuss your application before submitting.Typical Contextual Offer: ABB, including A in Music for applicants who meet our contextual offer criteria. For further information and to check eligibility visit our Contextual Offers page.If you are not taking A-level Music, we require ABB plus ABRSM Grade 7 Theory.Students wishing to pursue performance units should have the equivalent of ABRSM Grade 8 on an instrument or voice (preferably at Distinction).

Two Advanced Highers at AB, plus one additional Higher at A in relevant subject (see A-level subject requirements).English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.

Two Advanced Highers at AB, plus one additional Higher at A in relevant subject (see A-level subject requirements).English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit or distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course.The specific course requirements are a minimum of 39 credits with a Distinction grade, plus 6 credits with a Merit grade, all in a Humanities-related subject. Where possible, 15 of the Distinction credits should be in the pre-requisite subject required for A-levels.Applicants to Languages programmes are also required to have a minimum of GCSE grade B/6 in a modern language or in English Language.

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall is taken.Candidates taking Pre-U principal subjects in conjunction with A levels are expected to achieve a combination of D3, D3, M2 in the Pre-U and AAB at A level in three distinct subjects.If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. We strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement (and at interview, if relevant). We may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account, should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.For this programme, you will be made the standard offer plus an alternative one, if you are studying for an EPQ. The alternative offer will be one grade below the standard offer but you will also be asked to achieve a Grade A in your EPQ.

35 points overall. 6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects.

In addition to any of the below, applica nts should normally have the equivalent of ABRSM Grade 8 on an instrument or voice - preferably at Distinction - upon entry to the course in September. Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC): we consider the Technical Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level at grade A in Music.

In addition to any of the below, applica nts should normally have the equivalent of ABRSM Grade 8 on an instrument or voice - preferably at Distinction - upon entry to the course in September. Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC) : we consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade Distinction, plus two additional Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels at grades AB, one of which must be in Music.

In addition to any of the below, applica nts should normally have the equivalent of ABRSM Grade 8 on an instrument or voice - preferably at Distinction - upon entry to the course in September. Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC): we consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level/A Level at min. Grade A in Music, PLUS an EPQ or AS Level at grade B.

In all cases below, students should normally also have the equivalent of ABRSM Grade 8 on an instrument or voice - preferably at Distinction - upon entry to the course in September. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma : we consider the National Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus one A-level at Grade A in Music.

In all cases below, students should normally also have the equivalent of ABRSM Grade 8 on an instrument or voice - preferably at Distinction - upon entry to the course in September. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate : we consider the National Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with a Distinction grade, PLUS two A-levels at Grades AA; one of which must be in Music.

In all cases below, students should normally also have the equivalent of ABRSM Grade 8 on an instrument or voice - preferably at Distinction - upon entry to the course in September. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma : we consider the National Extended Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades Dist, Dist, Dist, plus one A-level at Grade A in Music.

In all cases below, students should normally also have the equivalent of ABRSM Grade 8 on an instrument or voice - preferably at Distinction - upon entry to the course in September. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma : we consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS one A-level at Grade A in Music, PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade B.

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this. The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements.If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

Popular A-level subjects

Music

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Music
99%
Mathematics
41%
English Literature
29%
History
17%
Physics
14%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

Rest of World

£28,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

Accommodation - 113-127 per week for a single self-catering room with shared facilities

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Music Studies reviews

Music Studies
Music Studies
E
Esme
21 Feb 25
Music BMus (Hons)
Music is an extremely social course so there is lots of opportunity to make friends and collaborate. If you are not a classical musician or jazz musician there might not be as...
Read more
H
Harriet
14 Feb 25
MusM Music (Musicology)
The city is great and the course is run well. Sometimes I find there aren't enough study spaces....
Read more
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University of Manchester
University Recruitment And Adm Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Manchester Piccadilly  0.3 miles away
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