Music

In your first year you’ll study core modules introducing you to the relationship between music and culture, theoretical elements, and aspects of music technology and psychology and you’ll develop the skills you need to study music at university level. You can choose from aspects of music technology or pyschology, composition, ensemble and solo performance. Throughout the degree, you will also have the chance to study discovery modules within the School or from across the University.

From there you’ll continue to choose topics that suit your interests over the next two years. Our core musicology modules explore the relationship between music and politics, culture, or religion, among other specialist topics. In addition, you can choose from a variety of modules which allow you to build on your composition and performance skills, or develop your interests in technology, analysis, aesthetics, or music psychology.

By your final year you will have developed your musical knowledge and abilities, choosing at least one major area of study, and demonstrating your research skills through an independent research project on a topic of your choice.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

Understanding Music, 20 credits
Music in History and Culture, 20 credits
Music Research Skills, 20 credits
Studies in a Digital Age (Music), 5 credits

• Understanding Music 20 credits
• Music in History and Culture 30 credits
• Music Research Skills 10 credits
• Introduction to the Sciences of Music 20 credits

Optional modules

Composition, 20 credits
Performance, 20 credits
Ensemble Performance, 20 credits
Sound, Technology and Music, 20 credits
Introduction to Music Psychology, 20 credits

(If students select only 40 credits from the list above, they may not take both Performance and Ensemble Performance)

Discovery modules

Discovery Modules, 20 credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Music in Context, 20 credits

Optional modules

Interpreting Music, 20 credits
Composition, 20 credits
Performance, 20 credits
Ensemble Performance, 20 credits
Notation and Editing, 20 credits
Aesthetics and Criticism, 20 credits
Music Technology Skills and Techniques, 20 credits
Music in Practice, 20 credits
The Psychology of Listening and Performance, 20 credits
Music Students in Schools, 20 credits

Discovery modules

Discovery Modules, 20 credits

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Dissertation, 40 credits

Optional modules

Analysing Music, 40 credits
Composition, 40 credits
Ensemble Performance, 20 credits
Applied Project, 20 credits
Performance, 40 credits
Editing and Source Studies, 40 credits
Contemporary Aesthetics, 40 credits
Music Technology, 40 credits
Music Psychology, 40 credits
Special Studies in Musicology modules, 20 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Music BA in the course catalogue.

Discovery modules

Discovery Modules, 20 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Music BA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information on typical modules, read Music BA Part Time in the course catalogue

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

Academics in the School of Music are leading practitioners and researchers, carrying out world-leading research which directly informs their teaching.

To help you benefit from their expertise, a variety of learning and teaching methods are used. Depending on the modules you choose, these are likely to include lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as online learning tasks, solo and ensemble rehearsals, studio time for composition and technology, and lab work in music psychology.

Independent study is also an important part of the degree, since this is where you will develop your analytical and research skills. Our experienced technicians and tutors are on hand to help if you need them, and you’ll have access to our expert instrumental and vocal teachers if you are studying performance.

You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who will meet with you individually at least twice a year, and tutorial support for your other modules is always available on request. All staff have office hours where you can drop in and ask for help if you need it. There is extensive support for students offered through the library's skills programme.

Assessment

We use different types of assessment, depending on the modules you choose. You will complete exams and essays, but you may also be assessed through performances, project work, composition portfolios, presentations, concert reviews and recordings.