Program Overview

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MArts Music with Innovation (W304)

2026 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

The innovators of the 21st century will think across arts, science, engineering, humanities and enterprise to deliver innovative products, services and ways of living. They will be team players with a breadth of skills and qualities that enable them to work across specialisms and cultures.

This course combines in-depth subject specialism at the university alongside interdisciplinary, practice-based learning. In conjunction with your music studies, you will apply your subject knowledge by translating ideas into innovative solutions, which may include plans for digital and creative enterprises, both social and commercial.

The Music Department offers a broad range of units in musicology, composition and performance*, across diverse styles and genres. These are complemented by weekly concerts, regular masterclasses and performances in the department, and opportunities to get involved in the many vocal and instrumental ensembles in the department and the dynamic music scene in the city of Bristol. You will be taught by internationally recognised musicologists and composers and by a team of professional instrumental and vocal tutors. Our teaching and music-making take place in the magnificent 19th-century Victoria Rooms, a familiar Bristol landmark with a 530-seat auditorium. A number of our students have secured organ and choral scholarships with our local churches and Bristol Cathedral.

Group work is a core component of teaching and learning in innovation. You will come together with students from other innovation disciplines, such as theatre, history and finance. Each subject contributes a different perspective on a challenge as you identify needs and develop ideas. By drawing on your unique ideas and views on the world, you will learn from your subject and other students to develop innovative solutions together. You will also develop personal skills with opportunities for individual development and pursuit of topics and projects driven by your interests and values.

By the time you graduate, you will have a portfolio of work ranging from live client projects to planning your entrepreneurial venture. You will have learned how to evaluate the potential of products and services, and how to sustain new endeavours including through financing. Importantly, you will have cultivated a network of peers and advisers who have worked with you through your studies.

*In performance, we offer a wide range of instruments and vocal styles. If tuition on your particular instrument/vocal type is not currently offered in Bristol, you will be able to discuss options with the Department.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: AAB
• A-level contextual offer: BBB
• Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 4 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course

Application method

• UCAS (Code: W304)

Location

• Clifton campus, Temple Quarter

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• £30400 per year, international students
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.

Course structure

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A-level standard offer

• AAB including Music. Where a candidate is not taking A-level Music we will accept AAB plus Grade 6 Theory or Practical or Performance at Pass.

A-level contextual offer

• BBB including Music. Where a candidate is not taking A-level Music we will accept BBB plus Grade 6 Theory, Practical or Performance at Pass.

BTEC

• DDD either in Music Technology BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma or in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma. All applicants must also meet our Music requirement (B in Music at A-level (or equivalent) or Grade 6 Theory, Practical or Performance exam).

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in Music. Where a candidate is not taking Higher Level Music we will accept 34 overall with 17 at Higher Level plus Grade 6 Theory, Practical or Performance at Pass.

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in Music. Where a candidate is not taking Higher Level Music we will accept 31 overall with 15 at Higher Level plus Grade 6 Theory, Practical or Performance at Pass.

European Baccalaureate

• 80% overall, with 8.0 in Music. Where a candidate is not taking EB Music we will accept 80% overall plus Grade 6 Theory, Practical or Performance.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AB including Music, and Standard Higher: AAABB. Where a candidate is not taking Advanced Higher Music we will accept AB plus Grade 6 Theory, Practical or Performance at Pass.

Access to HE Diploma

• Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above. All applicants must also meet our Music requirement (B in Music at A-level (or equivalent) or Grade 6 Theory, Practical or Performance exam).

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge Pre-U

• Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

International qualifications

• The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

GCSE profile requirements

• No specific subjects required.
• Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
  • GCSE English Language grade B or 6
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level B.

Additional requirements

• Where an academic qualification in Music is not available, Pass in Grade 6 Theory, Practical or Performance can be considered from one of the following awarding bodies: ABRSM, Trinity, RSL (Rockschool), LCME (London College of Music Examinations), LSM (London School of Music)

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for Music with Innovation can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Related courses

• See a list of all Innovation degrees at Bristol, and find more information about the course, assessment and career prospects.
• BA Music
• Related Subjects
• Film and Television
• Liberal Arts
• Theatre