Introduction
Music at Aberdeen is the wonderful opportunity to learn, compose and perform with world-renowned composers, conductors, musicologists and researchers working in all genres, styles and periods. You will benefit from first-class facilities and instruments and unrivalled opportunities to grow as a musician and performer, be part of the vibrant musical scene in north-east Scotland and have options to specialise in teaching music or working with music in community settings.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- BMus
- Duration
- 48 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- UCAS Code
- W300
Aberdeen is the ideal environment and location to study music, with 500 years of musical history and heritage and a vibrant cultural identity, which celebrates the traditional while embracing the modern.
When you enter our highly-regarded BMus programme you might already have specific career aspirations including editing, writing and presenting music, composing and performing. If you are still considering your music career however, our degrees are specifically designed to give you the time to explore and develop your interests with a broad foundation in music before choosing your specific programme. You will study performance, composition and theory, musicianship and a broad overview of music history which serves as the foundation for future study and specialising in subsequent years.
You may wish to continue honing your skills as a musician and specialising in composition, performance and musicology, especially in your final year. Alternatively, you can specialise in teaching in the BMus (Education) programme.
Your studies will prepare you for a wide variety of careers, not only in music but applying your skills in education, in the media and in business and there are Aberdeen graduates working in music agencies and in the management of London and Scottish orchestras.
You will thrive in our friendly and vibrant international community, on our beautiful medieval campus with great facilities for learning, sports and leisure.
We also offer various opportunities for students, staff, and community members to perform together at our music ensembles. From folk to classical, we have a range of genres to suit your musical interests.
What You'll Study
Music at Aberdeen offers a range of diverse courses and the performance and composition skills that you will develop will help you prepare for an exciting career in music. Some of the topics that you will explore throughout the programme include musicianship, digital musicianship, music theory, harmony and analysis, composition, music history and musicology, performance, composition, conducting, harmony and ethnomusicology.
Compulsory Courses
- Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
- Introduction to Music Studies (MU1026)
- Performing and Composing 1 (MU1027)
- Digital Musicianship: Music Making in the Digital Age (MU1058)
- Writing About Music (MU1528)
- Performing and Composing 2 (MU1527)
- Introduction to Music Theory and Harmony (MU1557)
Optional Courses
Plus 30 credit points from courses of choice.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
How You'll Study
Teaching is delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminar groups, tutorials and individual instrumental and vocal tuition. Methods of assessment take the form of submitted coursework (essays and compositions).
Learning Methods
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
- Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
- Written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Music?
- Academic staff who are internationally recognised experts in composition, performance, musicology, music in schools, community music and many rising student stars.
- The flexibility to study music alongside a wide range of other subjects at Honours level.
- Specialist facilities including three state-of-the-art Electroacoustic Composition studios as well as Music Technology workstations.
- Wonderful collection of historic instruments including a 1771 Kirkman harpsichord, also full Balinese Gamelan, Steel Pans and Samba/Salsa instruments.
- Instrumental/vocal courses available in all years of the programme, with tuition costs normally covered by the University.
- University Symphony Orchestra, Chamber and Chapel choirs with growing international reputations, Choral Society, String Ensemble, Viol Consort, Recorder Consort, New Music Group, Baroque Ensemble, Concert Band, Big Band, Opera Society, chamber groups and many more.
- Excellent performance opportunities with the early sixteenth-century Chapel often used for services and performances of sacred and concert music.
- Our Chapel boasts an all-mechanical pipe organ built by the French builder Aubertin – the first by this builder in the UK.
- Opportunities to perform at University ceremonies, graduations, recitals, VIP visits, formal dinners and festivals.
- The prestigious Ogston Music Prize and a range of scholarships and special support for outstanding students.
- Aberdeen city is known as a lively centre for music and links with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Aberdeen City Music School, North East of Scotland Music School, the Sound Festival and other organisations continue to develop.
- Opportunities to take part in master classes led by visiting musicians.
- A packed campus programme of student and public events, exhibitions, seminars, invited speakers and the annual May Festival which welcomes internationally acclaimed musicians, choirs and orchestras to campus every spring.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.
View the Aberdeen Global ScholarshipEntry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
General Entry Requirements
SQA:
Applicants who achieve ABBB in four distinct disciplines are encouraged to apply. We do not double count a Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject. Music Higher preferred.
Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.
A Level:
Minimum of 3 A Levels at BBB. Music at A Level preferred.
IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE (ILC)
Three subjects a Higher minimum, with 3 at H2. Music at Higher preferred.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)
Minimum 32 points including at least a Grade 6 at Music at HL
Please Note: Candidates for the BMus Music (honours) are required to demonstrate a strong interest in the study of music as well as significant attainment in one or more of a range of disciplines including performance, composition, music technology, musicology, and community engagement. Entry to the programme will be assessed on the strength of the candidate's academic record and personal statement. Graded qualifications on instrument or voice are welcome but are not essential. Candidates may be invited to interview.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Music degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| RUK | £9,535 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| EU / International students | £20,800 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme - See full terms and conditions | |
| Home Students | £1,820 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
Additional Fees
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships and Funding
UK Scholarship
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
Our music programme is specifically designed to enable students to pursue a career in music or a related field. The performance and composition skills, coupled with the deep knowledge and understanding that you will gain of the subject, will help you prepare for a variety of careers. Previous graduates of our Music programme now work in teaching, community music, editing, writing and presenting music, composing and performing.
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
World Class Facilities
The Music department at Aberdeen has access to large lecture halls with pianos and audio playback equipment as well as the usual data projectors and IT facilities expected of a modern music teaching facility. Our dedicated computer lab contains 30 audio workstations and we also have a dedicated Percussion Studio. As an undergraduate, you will also have access to instruments, performance rooms and collections whenever you need.
Discover Uni
Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX