Program Overview

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Music Education, BMus

Introduction

Music Education at Aberdeen gives you the brilliant opportunity to learn, compose and perform with world-renowned composers and musicologists, working in all genres, styles and periods, with unrivalled opportunities to grow as a musician and performer and to specialise in the skills to inspire a new generation through music education in schools.

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: WX33

Aberdeen is the ideal environment and location in which to study music, with 500 years of outstanding musical history and heritage and a vibrant cultural identity which celebrates the traditional while embracing the modern, playing a huge role in the cultural life of north-east Scotland.

Our highly-regarded BMus programme gives the benefit of broad foundation in music before choosing to specialise in teaching in the BMus (Education) programme, or the BMus (Music and Communities) opening opportunities for working with music in non-formal settings.

In your first three years of your BMus (Education) programme, you will study performance, composition, theory, musicianship and a broad overview of music history which serves as the foundation for future study and specialising in your final year.

You will then combine the study of music with a qualification to teach in Scottish secondary schools, including school placements in your final year.

You will graduate perfectly prepared for a career in teaching music, with the additional option of applying your all-round knowledge and transferable skills should you decide to pursue an alternative career such as in the media, or the music business.

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.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Introduction to Music Studies (MU1026)
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Digital Musicianship: Music Making in the Digital Age (MU1058)
  • Introduction to Music Theory and Harmony (MU1557)
  • Performing and Composing 1 (MU1027)
  • Performing and Composing 2 (MU1527)
  • Writing About Music (MU1528)
• Optional Courses: Plus 30 credit points from courses of choice.

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Analysing Music (MU2055)
  • Introduction to Ethnomusicology (MU2057)
  • Global Music History (MU2558)
• Optional Courses: Plus 30 credit points from Level 1 or 2 courses of choice. Plus 60 credit points from Level 2 Music courses of choice (including any course listed above not already taken) and the following approved option:
  • Scottish Folklore and Oral Traditions (EF2501)

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Learning and Teaching in Schools (Music) (ED40XP)
  • School Experience 1 and 2 (ED402Q)
  • Learning and Teaching in Schools: Developing Professional Practice 1&2 (ED402R)

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Learning and Teaching in Schools: Developing Professional Practice 1 (MU4021)
  • School Experience 1: Beginning to Teach (MU4022)
  • Learning and Teaching in Schools: Developing Professional Practice 2 (MU4521)
  • School Experience 2: Transition to Teaching (Pt Dl) (MU4722)

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• 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 Education?

• Academic staff who are internationally recognised experts in composition, performance, musicology, music in schools and communities, including many rising student stars.
• Specialist facilities including three state-of-the-art Electroacoustic Composition studios as well as Music Technology workstations.
• A 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 masterclasses 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.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• 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.
• A Level: Minimum of 3 A Levels at BBB. Music A Level at minimum Grade B.
• 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

Applicants must also meet the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS) requirements.

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

Fees and Funding

You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
• EU / International students: £20,800
• Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme
• Home Students: £1,820

Careers

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.