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Music - BMus (Hons)

Overview

A course for the modern musician.

Summary

The undergraduate music degree programme at the School of Arts and Humanities at Ulster University is based around four core elements: Performance, Composition, Musicology and Music Technology.

About this course

The undergraduate music degree programme is based around four core elements: Performance, Composition, Musicology and Music Technology.

Classes take place over two semesters each year. Students choose modules to the value of 60 credits in each semester.

Your first year is at Level 4 and is designed to provide you with a comprehensive overview of musical styles, genres and disciplines enabling them to develop existing skills and interests as well as acquire a range of new ones. Note: All Level 4 modules are compulsory for BMus students.

Level 5 allows you the opportunity to begin specialising by introducing a number of optional modules as well as higher level modules in the four core disciplines.

Level 6 enables you to focus your degree programme in one or more related areas of specialist interest with a broad range of advanced level modules.

Placement presents the opportunity to take part in an internship with a local music or arts organisation while the Project options allow you to pursue an independent course of research or practical work in a chosen field of musical study.

Attendance

Three years full-time. Four-six years part-time.

You will attend classes for 12-weeks in each of 2 semesters, with a further three weeks reserved in each semester for assessments.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Music in the School of Arts and Humanities provides an exciting and challenging programme. Our approach to teaching and learning integrates theory, critical study and practice.

Learning and teaching methods include practical workshops, lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work, projects, and rehearsals. Particularly at Levels 5 and 6, divisions between these class types dissolve and an individual session with a tutor may involve a range of student-tutor activities. Tutor-led classes provide the core structure and support on individual modules, but the emphasis in learning remains on the student’s independent engagement with the scope of the module. Students are routinely expected, therefore, to prepare in advance for taught sessions.

Within this context, lectures are used selectively to introduce key concepts and practices with which students will engage. The emphasis in lectures at all levels is on an interactive learning process, often based on students' prior preparation, through in-class tasks, or engaging with students' existing cultural capital.

Seminars are the focal point for student-led discussion and engagement and students are required to prepare materials in advance and to follow-up issues independently as a response to this. Students may be required to undertake presentations or performances within the seminar format.

Practical workshops are used to explore and test concepts and practices and, as appropriate, to develop experiential knowledge, practical skills and techniques.

Tutorials are scheduled within modules to provide opportunities for face-to-face supervision; and where appropriate, feed-forward and feedback on assessed tasks.

Digital resources are used to support students’ learning, made available primarily through the University's VLE, Blackboard Learn. Students are supported in using these resources from their Level 4 induction programme onwards through dedicated training sessions, support handouts and manuals and online tutorials.

Group work is used within the taught settings and as a significant part of the independent learning process, particularly in areas of creative practical work. Students are given guidance and training in group work processes throughout the programme. Through negotiation and reflection within class they are supported in independent group working.

Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be via one method or a combination. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Assessment methods include performances, compositions, essays, portfolios presentations, dissertations, workshops, reflective essays and vivas. While there are a relatively small number of graded assessments for any module (normally two, a maximum of three), these are supported by a range of opportunities for formative feedback.

Academic profile

Our expert lecturing staff are internationally-recognised practitioners and researchers with a range of experience across the creative industries and beyond. You may already be familiar with the award-winning work of some of our staff as composers; or, you may have seen them in performance or bought or streamed their recorded music; or, you may have attended one of our internationally renowned choir concerts.

You will be able to take advantage of our nationally-acknowledged teaching expertise and will have opportunities to extend your experience through contact with part-time staff and key visiting lecturers.

The Music programmes benefit from extensive links with music practitioners and organisations who use our spaces for performances and delivering practice-based workshops and masterclasses. We collaborate with a range of organisations and act as a host venue for a number of the music festivals that take place in the city.

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Year one

• Musicology 1
• Musicology 2
• Introduction to Music Technology

Year two

• Performance Studies 1
• Performance Studies 2
• Composition & Orchestration
• Music and Sound Practices

Year three

• Creative Computing
• Musicology 3
• Electronic/Electroacoustic Composition
• Musicology 4
• Sound Recording and Production 1
• Introduction to Music Business

Year four

• Industrial Placement
• Performance studies 3
• Performance studies 4
• Composition and Orchestration 3
• Composition and Orchestration 4
• Introduction to Music in the Community
• Music and Moving Image
• Experimental Music

Year five

• Interactive Music Systems
• Project 1
• Project 2
• Jazz in the United States
• Double Project
• Music and Moving Image
• Performance Studies 5

Year six

• Sound Theory/Sound Practice
• Performance Studies 6
• Conversations in Irish Traditional Music
• Composition Portfolio 1
• Composition Portfolio 2
• Advanced Audio Production
• Placement 1
• Placement 2
• Teaching Music in the Community

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

Grades CCC

Applicants may satisfy the requirement for the final A level grade (C) by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications to the same standard as defined by the University.

Applied General Qualifications

To note that only qualifications defined as “Applied General” will be accepted for entry onto any undergraduate course at Ulster University.

BTEC Awards

QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2012 Suite)**

Award profile of DMM

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma****(2016 Suite)

Award profile of MMM

QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma(2012 Suite)

Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade CRQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2016 Suite)**

Award profile of MM plus A Level Grade CQCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Introductory Diploma (2012 Suite)**

Award profile of Merit plus A Level Grades CCRQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate****(2016 Suite)**

Award profile of Merit plus A Level Grades CC

Grade profiles (equating to the final A level grade stated in the standard 3A level offer profile - Grade C) may be substituted by a combination of alternative qualifications to the same standard as defined by the University.

Irish Leaving Certificate

96 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Scottish Highers

The Scottish Highers requirement for this course is grades CCCCC

Applicants may satisfy the requirement for an element of the offer grade profiles (equating to the final A-level grade stated in the standard 3A level offer profile - Grade C) by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications to the same standard as defined by the University.

Scottish Advanced Highers

The Scottish Advanced Highers requirement for this course is grades DDD

Applicants may satisfy the requirement for an element of the offer grade profiles (equating to the final A-level grade stated in the standard 3A level offer profile - Grade C) by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications to the same standard as defined by the University.

International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate

Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum 24 points to include 12 at higher level. Applicants must fulfill the subject requirements for Music via other qualifications (IB Performance at Higher may be considered).

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Overall profile of 55% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access course)

Overall profile of 45 credits at Merit (60 credit Access course) (GB Access course)

GCSE

For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above English Language.

Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Careers & opportunities

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Arts administrator
• Music Facilitator
• Director of Music
• Music Teacher
• Music Producer
• Musician

Career options

Studying music at Ulster prepares graduates for a range of careers both inside and outside of the music industry. Our students have been successful in establishing careers as composers and performers, studio engineers, teachers, community music leaders and many progress to postgraduate study at the University of Ulster and other domestic and international institutions. Meanwhile, the interdisciplinary opportunities afforded to music students across the subject areas at the School of Creative Arts and Technologies equips our graduates with a unique range of skills and experiences vital to any career in the creative industries that few other institutions can provide.

Fees and funding

Module Pricing

The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.

For modules commenced in the academic year 2025/26, the following fees apply:

Fees Credit Points	NI/ROI Cost	GB Cost	International Cost*
120	£4,860	£9,535.20	£17,010
60	£2,430	£4,767.20	£8,505
30	£1,215	£2,383.80	£4,252.50
20	£810	£1,589.20	£2,835

NB: A standard full-time undergraduate degree is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.

*Please note our on campus part-time undergraduate courses are not open to international (non-EU) students.

Annual Increase Disclaimer

Important Notice: Annual Fees Increase

Fees illustrated are based on academic year 25/26 entry and are subject to an annual increase.

If your study continues into future academic years your fees are subject to an annual increase. Please take this into consideration when you estimate your total fees for a degree.

Additional mandatory costs are highlighted where they are known in advance. There are other costs associated with university study.

Visit our Fees pages for full details of fees.

Correct at the time of publishing. Terms and conditions apply.

Contact

For more information visit:

• Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• School of Arts and Humanities