Program Overview

Music with a Year of Study Abroad (BMus)

Overview

The Music with a Year of Study Abroad (BMus) program is designed for students who wish to focus solely on music, specializing and developing their own musical interests and strengths while acquiring a solid, broad-based education in music theory and analysis, composition and performance studies, music history and culture, ethnomusicology, studio production, and the business of music.

Why Study This Course

• Realise your full potential through fully-funded instrumental tuition.
• Hone in on your talents by undertaking composition and/or recital as a major project.
• Spend a year abroad, immersing yourself in a new culture and opening your mind to new ideas and experiences.
• Gain music industry insights through composition workshops, performance masterclasses, and concert series.
• Explore the music business with a placement.

Subject Area

• Subject area: Music
• UCAS code: G85D
• Next intake: September 2026
• Duration: 4 years
• Mode: Full time with year abroad

Entry Requirements

A Level

• AAB-BBB, must include Music.
• Applicants without an A-level in Music will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Baccalaureate

• 34-31 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects, must include grade 5 in HL Music.
• Applicants without HL Music will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Baccalaureate Wales

• From September 2023, the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3) will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate).

GCSE and Other Essential Requirements

• English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent.
• GCSE Maths grade C/4 or equivalent qualification.

Other Qualifications

• BTEC: DDD-DDM in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Music.
• T Level: Acceptance will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Qualifications from outside the UK: See the qualification equivalences guide.

Interview or Selection Process

• After applying, you will be invited to attend one of five audition and interview days.
• At the audition: Perform a short piece of unaccompanied music on your principal instrument or discuss a composition.
• A short interview will follow to discuss your musical interests and experience.

Tuition Fees for 2026 Entry

Fees for Home Status

Fees for Overseas Status

Course Structure

• This is a four-year full-time degree, consisting of 120 credits a year.
• Each year in Cardiff is divided into an autumn and a spring semester and has a modular structure.

Year One

• Core module: Elements of Tonal Theory.
• Elective core choices: Writing about Music, Case Studies in Music History, or Music as Culture.
• Optional modules in composition, practical musicianship, and techniques in jazz and popular music.

Year Two

• Modules from at least three of four groups: Analytical & Critical Skills, Composition & Production, Practical Musicianship, Musicology & Placement.
• Introduction to research-led teaching.

Year Three: Sandwich Year

• Study abroad at a partner university, pursuing modules in music or different subjects.
• The curriculum abroad will equate to 120 Cardiff University credits.

Year Four

• Choose modules from at least three of the four subject groups.
• Opportunity to study up to two major project modules.

Learning and Assessment

• Taught by academic staff with expertise across composition, performance, musicology, ethnomusicology, and popular music.
• Instrumental tuition is fully funded on your principal study instrument.
• Range of teaching and learning styles, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and independent study.
• Assessment methods vary and may include essay assignments, presentations, extended projects, performances, and written exams.

Careers and Placements

• Career prospects: 100% of the School of Music's graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduation.
• Graduates have gone on to careers with the BBC, Arts Councils, Glyndebourne Opera, English National Opera, universities, and other organizations.
• Year two modules on the Business of Music provide an opportunity for a short placement in a music-related or arts-related area.

Studying in Welsh

• Up to 1% of this course is available through the medium of Welsh.
• Contact the Admissions tutor for more information.