Select the year

Start Dates

21 September 2026

Duration

3 years full-time 4 years inc. placement year

UCAS Tariff

120-104


Recent Awards For Excellence

Ofsted outstanding provider logo Performing Arts - QS 2025
Find out more about these awards
About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • Tailor your studies to performance, composition, or research specialisms.
  • Perform, compose, and experiment in world-class facilities and festivals.
  • Access industry placements and collaborate with professional musicians.

Accreditation and Professional Links

Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate. Read More

Whether you’re a performer, composer, researcher, or a mix of all three, our Music BMus(Hons) lets you tailor your degree to suit your creative and professional ambitions. You can explore different musical styles, genres, and traditions, developing as a performer, composer, or musicologist. Areas include popular music, experimental music, film music, world music, arranging, and music analysis, allowing you to keep your studies broad or specialise. Short and year-long industry placements are available to enhance your career prospects.

You’ll study in professional-standard facilities, with access to rehearsal spaces, recording studios, two concert halls, and a wide range of instruments and equipment. You’ll collaborate with experienced tutors, internationally recognised researchers, and visiting industry professionals, including instrumental and vocal specialists.

Huddersfield Music is ranked 8th in the UK (Daily Mail University Guide 2026), while Performing Arts is 37th in the world (QS World University Subject Rankings 2025). The School won the Queen's Anniversary Prize for world-leading work promoting contemporary music internationally.

Students can perform and explore the latest new music at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, experience experimental artists at the Electric Spring Festival, and take part in ensembles, choirs, orchestras, big bands, and original student-led groups. You can also study conducting and develop your own ensembles.

This course prepares you for a wide range of careers in performance, composition, music technology, teaching, or a combination of creative roles.

Career opportunities after the course *

Performer

Musician

Choir Director

Music Tutor

Technician

*Lightcast

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

BBB-BCC at A Level.
120-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications alongside evidence of prior Music or Music Technology experience (which could be offered either through formal qualifications or a portfolio of creative work).
Merit at T Level.
DDM-DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Merit in UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Merit in RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Practical and theory music grades 6-8 will be accepted in the total points.
Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
120-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.


Entry is also possible for applicants who don't hold standard UK qualifications.

International and mature applicants who don't hold standard UK qualifications can provide a portfolio to demonstrate skills relevant to the course. If you would like to take our optional Solo Performance modules then we will also ask you to send us video links of you performing two contrasting pieces. You should have good technical ability and potential as a performer (roughly equivalent to the standard of grade 7-8 practical music making, where applicable).

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Music and Performing Arts Foundation Pathway Degree.

What will you learn?

Course Details

This module will introduce you to a range of approaches to studying music and music technology. You will develop research, source-handling, evaluation, and critical-thinking skills and apply these to repertoires, cultures, and issues appropriate to your degree course. Linked lectures and seminars will increase your knowledge of key themes and concerns in music studies, give you opportunities to debate your ideas with others, and develop your confidence as an increasingly independent researcher.

You will explore the building blocks of music in all its forms, developing an understanding of how music ‘works’ through the use of key theoretical principles such as melody, harmony, rhythm, form, timbre, and so on. This will allow you to investigate a number of key works from a wide range of musical styles and histories in detail, engaging with music in ways that will also develop your creativity as a performer or composer.

You will gain hands-on experience of a variety of key musical skills: improvisation; aural awareness; ensemble performance; and evaluating your own and others' performances. A wide range of styles and genres will be explored, and you will work with musicians relevant to your specialism as a pop, classical, or jazz performer.

The module is intended to enable you to develop your compositional abilities, through the exploration of a range of compositional techniques, with particular reference to acquiring a better understanding of rhythm, timbre, melody/contour, harmony, texture, form and notation. You will also explore the basics of instrumentation. Your creative aural imagination will be stimulated by studying and employing a variety of expressive musical languages.

This module takes a hands-on approach to various aspects of using technology as a musician, giving you the skills to feel confident working in today's creative industries. You will learn how to use music notation and Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software, alongside video and sound recording techniques aimed at content creation.

You’ll work one-on-one with an instrumental or vocal tutor throughout the year to strengthen your technical skills and deepen your musical understanding. This will prepare you for both solo and group performances in Year 2 and 3. Alongside regular assessment and feedback from your specialist tutor, you’ll explore improvisation in a small group setting and create a solo recital (live or recorded) as part of your assessment.

Inside the Music Business will introduce you to a range of issues relevant to the current music industry, from copyright, contracts and economics through to the role of the media in marketing, reviewing, and representing music. You will explore the production, distribution and revenue models of the global music business and develop the critical and analytical skills to understand these working practices and the ways they relate to your own practice as a musician. On completion of the module, you will have created the assets to represent yourself to industry as a musician and have a digital portfolio of activity related to your chosen aspect of the music industry.

You will choose one practical option from an array of ensembles, bands, and approaches to performance. Options typically range from conducting, music theatre, and improvisation through to groups like orchestra, big band, brass band, classical and pop choirs, and a huge variety of pop, rock, soul, funk, and folk bands. Specialist performance tutors will coach you towards assessed performances that are open to the public.

As an increasingly confident and independent musical researcher and creative practitioner, you will undertake an in-depth exploration of a particular area of music by choosing one specialist topic from a range on offer. Using research to underpin and inspire both scholarly and artistic activity, you will engage with current debates within musicology, discover new repertoire and methodologies, and investigate music as a cultural text.

You will also choose 3 optional modules in this year. The current optional modules are:

Throughout the year, you’ll work one-on-one with your instrumental or vocal tutor to develop your technical skills and musical insight. This will prepare you for a solo performance recital (live or recorded, where you’ll showcase your progress in musicianship, communication, and technical ability.

This module permits students to select an additional group performance activity to broaden their study alongside AIM2412 Performance Skills 2. Please view that module for further details.

You will explore a variety of techniques, resources, and notational skills to enhance and extend your work as a composer, including guidance on writing creatively for voices, mixed ensembles, percussion, invented instruments and electronics. With support provided by classes, tutorials, and workshops in a range of musical styles, you will work towards the production of a unique coursework portfolio of compositions.

As an increasingly confident and independent musical researcher and creative practitioner, you will add breadth to your expertise by choosing an additional topic to explore from a range on offer. Using research to underpin and inspire both scholarly and artistic activity, you will engage with current debates within musicology, discover new repertoire and methodologies, and investigate music as a cultural text.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

The placement year is your chance to gain hands-on experience and build on the skills you’ve developed in your first two years of study. You’ll spend up to 48 weeks (minimum 36 weeks) in a graduate-level role, sharpening your professional skills, exploring career options, and boosting your future job prospects. During your placement, you'll reflect on your performance, develop real-world skills, and learn to approach your role with a critical eye. Your placement will be monitored, and you’ll be assessed on your achievements, setting you up for success in your final year and beyond.

The Portfolio Sandwich Year module provides a flexible and tailored approach to professional development. It allows you to create a customised portfolio of graduate-level opportunities if your career aspirations don’t align with a traditional sandwich year placement. This module will help you develop a diverse and adaptable skillset, build professional networks, and enhance your career readiness through a mix of structured and self-directed activities.

Independent Project is your chance to explore an area of music that is important to you. You will devise your own project, and choose its format assessment method.

After an initial lecture and seminar programme covering aspects of professional practice, you will complete a work-related project. Typical work-related projects include: documented placement work (for example, as a classroom assistant in a school; membership, administration or promotion of a non-university music ensemble; assisting in concert management; work as a music copyist and/or editor; music journalism; studio management etc.); researching and building a professional work-related website; releasing music commercially with associated promotion or an industry showcase event . Although there is no requirement for the work-related project to be music-specific, it should provide the student with sufficient opportunity to develop graduate and transferable skills for the workplace and must be agreed with the module leader prior to commencing assessment work.

You will choose one practical option from an array of ensembles, bands, and approaches to performance. Options typically range from conducting, music theatre, and improvisation through to groups like orchestra, big band, brass band, classical and pop choirs, and a huge variety of pop, rock, soul, funk, and folk bands. Specialist performance tutors will coach you towards assessed performances that are open to the public.

As an advanced and increasingly independent musical researcher and creative practitioner, you will undertake an in-depth exploration of a particular area of music by choosing one specialist topic from a range on offer. Using research to underpin and inspire both scholarly and artistic activity, you will engage with current debates within musicology, discover new repertoire and methodologies, and investigate music as a cultural text.

You will also choose 2 optional modules in this year. The current optional modules are:

This practical composition module takes you through the craft of composing original scores for film. It provides tuition in the technical practices of soundtrack composition: spotting cues, creating live soundtracks for film, arranging and orchestrating cues provided, and working with technology to create realistic soundtracks. This enables you to develop the skills to undertake a practical analysis of music for various media: film, television and computer games.

You will build on the experience you have gained previously in composition, production, and/or songwriting modules to produce a sophisticated piece (or small set of pieces) of music based on a set of staff-led options relevant to your compositional practice. Examples might include multichannel audio composition, instrumental composition, songwriting, music production, and audiovisual composition. Tutorial support for this creative work will be provided. You will be introduced to relevant techniques such as spatialisation, the use of complex orchestration/arrangements, advanced studio production, video, interactive or mixed media work. You will develop your ability to work with such techniques creatively.

Throughout the year, you’ll work one-on-one with your instrumental or vocal tutor to develop your technical skills and musical insight. This will prepare you for a solo performance recital (live or recorded, where you’ll showcase your progress in musicianship, communication, and technical ability.

This module permits students who are already taking the Independent Project module to produce a double-weighted, more extensive project in terms of size of the finished output. For further details see the description for Independent Project.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

Teaching and Assessment

Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.

Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you’ll study the award-winning Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* — so you’re ready for the career you want, whatever subject you choose.

Interested in a placement?

Placements

In addition to the short term (25 hours) work placement in your final year Work and Professional Practice module, this course offers you the opportunity to take an optional one-year (48 week) work placement after your second year, in the UK or abroad. Previous placement providers have included BBC Music Magazine, West Yorkshire Music Hubs, AVID, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Buxton Opera House, Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, British Council - Lycee General Technical de L'Europe, Horus Music - Anara Publishing and Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

Placement gave me the experience required to develop my interests in the professional field of music. I was challenged to learn new skills and explore other aspects of the industry.

- Jamie Watson
Music Performance BMus(Hons), placement at The People's Orchestra

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

Studying Music at Huddersfield provides numerous opportunities for you to develop the professional skills and connections that will help you succeed in the field as a graduate. Every aspect of our courses - performance, composition, musicology, education, and arts administration - includes significant opportunities to work alongside leading music professionals in workshops, masterclasses, rehearsals and in a working environment.

A selection of companies that have employed Huddersfield graduates in recent years include Opera North, The Band of Household Cavalry, Elmhurst Ballet School and Nottingham Music School. Many graduates go on to work freelance and establish a portfolio career while many go on to postgraduate study.**
** LinkedIn

85%
Percent of graduates from this course were in work or further study 15 months after graduation

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 22/23, UK Domiciled

I enjoyed my course and the flexibility of the optional modules. Lectures were interesting and engaging, personally I preferred the setup of seminars, as we had more opportunity to discuss and ask questions.

- Alex Broadgate
Music BMus(Hons) graduate

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

£9,790 per year

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/

£17,600 per year

This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/

Home

The tuition fee for a placement year is £1000. If you go on work experience or work placement, you will need to fund your own travel and/or accommodation costs to and from the placement.  Please be aware that if your placement is outside of the UK, you will still be responsible for your travel and living expenses and may need to consider issues like health care and insurance costs.

International

The tuition fee for a placement year is £3,300. If you go on work experience or work placement, you will need to fund your own travel and/or accommodation costs to and from the placement.  Please be aware that if your placement is outside of the UK, you will still be responsible for your travel and living expenses and may need to consider issues like health care and insurance costs.

We offer a range of scholarships for those studying Music

Music Scholarships - University of Huddersfield

Scholarships and Bursaries

Discover what additional help you may be eligible for to support your University studies.

Tuition Fee Loans

Find out more about tuition fee loans available to eligible undergraduate students.

What’s included in your fee?

We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.

If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.

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Why Hud

Explore the unique opportunities and resources that make our institution a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and future-focused education.

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Careers support

We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

Find out more about careers support

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you’ll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you’ll soon discover that you’re never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.

See our support services

Teaching Excellence

Great teaching is engaging and inspiring — it helps you reach your full potential and prepares you for the future. We don’t just teach well — we excel — and we have the awards and recognition to prove it.

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Inspiring Academics

Our researchers carry out world-leading work that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Staff within the Department of Media, Humanities and the Arts may teach you on this course.

Find out more about our staff

Research Excellence

You’ll be taught by staff who want to support your learning and share the latest knowledge and research.

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Accommodation

Looking for student accommodation? Huddersfield has you covered. HudLets has a variety of accommodation types to choose from, no matter what your preference. HudLets is the University’s approved accommodation service, run by Huddersfield Students’ Union.

Take a look at your options

Further Study

If you want to continue your learning beyond your undergraduate degree, there is a range of financial support available for postgraduate study, including discounts for Huddersfield graduates.

Discover postgraduate courses
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