Music

Concerted and comprehensive, the Music course at the University of Cambridge offers students a unique opportunity to explore the rich and diverse world of music through a multidisciplinary lens. This programme is designed to develop your understanding of musical history, theory, analysis, and performance, while fostering critical thinking and research skills that are essential for a successful career in the arts. The course combines rigorous academic study with practical training, enabling students to engage deeply with a wide range of musical styles, genres, and traditions from different periods and cultures. Whether your interest lies in classical music, jazz, world music, or contemporary compositions, the programme provides a supportive environment to cultivate your musical talent and intellectual curiosity. Participants will have access to world-class facilities, including specialized libraries, rehearsal rooms, and state-of-the-art recording equipment, to enhance their practical and scholarly pursuits. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to participate in concerts, workshops, and collaborative projects that offer real-world experience and professional development. The curriculum covers essential areas such as musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, and performance practice, enabling learners to build a well-rounded expertise. In addition, the programme emphasizes the importance of critical listening and analytical skills, preparing graduates for diverse careers in education, performance, research, or the music industry. With a vibrant academic community and close links to cultural institutions and ensembles, the University of Cambridge's Music programme is an ideal choice for aspiring musicians and scholars eager to deepen their understanding of music and develop their artistic voice in a stimulating environment.

Teaching is provided through lectures, seminars and supervisions. In your first year, you can typically expect to have six lectures, three supervisions, and aural and keyboard skills classes each week. In later years, lectures decrease to make way for more seminar, small-group and one-to-one teaching.

Assessment takes place at the end of each year through written examinations; the submission of portfolios, compositions essays and dissertations; and through recitals.

Year 1 (Part IA)

The first year consists of three major components:

• historical and critical studies – two and a half papers covering issues involved in understanding music and its relationship to society and culture. This includes the main historical developments of Western music from the medieval period to the present, and a selection of historical or contemporary case studies
• tonal skills – two papers giving you a thorough technical grounding in music of the Western tonal tradition through the acquisition of basic harmonic skills at the keyboard, aural work, and writing music in a range of historical styles. This is a foundation for more advanced work in all musical fields
• music analysis – one paper that gives you an understanding of what makes music work through hands-on familiarity with a range of styles. This creates a bridge between your work in historical and critical studies and in tonal skills

For your final half paper, you have the choice of giving a 15 minute recital, submitting an original composition, or writing an extended essay.

Year 2 (Part IB)

You take a further paper in each of the core Part IA areas (historical studies, analysis and applied tonal skills), which together take up half of your time.

For the remaining half, you choose three papers from a range of different topics. Subjects available change from year to year but normally include:

• in-depth historical topics
• jazz and popular music
• ethnomusicology
• notation
• keyboard skills
• music and science
• performance studies (including recital)
• composition
• a dissertation of 5,000-7,000 words

Year 3 (Part II)

In the final year, you have even more choice. There are no compulsory papers – you choose six papers from a wide selection of options which reflect your own interests and which may also develop the skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career path. Examples of options available in recent years include:

• advanced performance
• a dissertation of 7,000-10,000 words
• portfolios in analysis, composition and notation, and sources studies
• Beethoven: the Late String Quartets
• The Music of Miles Davis
• Exploring Music Psychology
• Fugue
• Parisian Polyphony
• The Music Industry in the Digital Age
• Nationalism and Music in the Middle East
• Latin American Music and the Politics of Representation
• Boris Godunov and its Contexts
• Perception and Performance

You can also work with individual staff members on your own projects, whether as an advanced performer, composer, historian, analyst, ethnomusicologist, or music scientist. In this way, while our course gives you the solid understanding of the subject which a music degree should guarantee, it also offers you the flexibility you need to prepare for life after Cambridge.

• All applicants to the University of Cambridge must submit an application to UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) by the relevant deadline.
• The Attestat o (polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) is not considered to be suitable preparation for a competitive application to the University of Cambridge. We strongly recommend that you undertake further study if you wish to apply for an undergraduate degree. Examples of the qualifications that would be considered suitable for admission to Cambridge are A Levels, the International Baccalaureate (IB), five or more Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or possibly the first year of an undergraduate degree at a university outside the UK. We recommend that you contact the College that you wish to apply to directly for further advice and guidance.
• IELTS – normally a minimum overall grade of 7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element.
• Cambridge English: Advanced – grade A or B.
• Cambridge English: Proficiency – grade A, B or C.
• Required by all Colleges: A Level/IB Higher Level Music (ABRSM Grade 8 Theory at Merit and above may be accepted as a substitute)

Admission assessment

There's no common format written assessment for Music – the Colleges will assess aptitude, knowledge base and potential through short tasks at the time of interview (if interviewed). See individual College websites for details and the Colleges provide details of arrangements in the letters inviting applicants to interview.

Please note that your performance in the assessment at interview will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.

The University of Cambridge offers a range of financing options to support students pursuing a Music degree. Tuition fees vary depending on the student's status as a UK, EU, or international student. For home students, the annual tuition fee is approximately £9,250, while international students may face higher fees, which can be around £25,000 or more per year. These fees are subject to annual increases and should be confirmed directly with the university for each academic year.

Financial support is available in the form of scholarships, bursaries, and grants. The Cambridge Commonwealth, European & International Trust provides numerous scholarships for international students, which can significantly offset tuition costs and living expenses. Additionally, the university offers the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) Scholarships, which are awarded based on academic merit and financial need. Specific scholarships for Music students are also available from college-based funds and external organizations.

Students are encouraged to apply for government funding where applicable. UK students can access the Student Loan for tuition fees and maintenance loans offered by the Student Finance England, which helps to cover living costs. The application process is competitive, and students must meet eligibility criteria, including residency requirements.

Living expenses in Cambridge include accommodation, food, transportation, books, and personal costs. On-campus accommodation varies in price, with options ranging from approximately £100 to £200 per week, depending on the type of accommodation. Many students receive financial support from part-time work, typically limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time to comply with visa restrictions for international students.

The university provides financial guidance services to help students navigate funding options, apply for financial aid, and develop budgets. Furthermore, some students may qualify for special funding schemes aimed at underrepresented groups or those demonstrating exceptional talent and need. Students are advised to carefully review all available options and apply early to maximize their chances of obtaining financial support.

In summary, studying Music at the University of Cambridge involves various costs and potential sources of funding. With proper planning, students can access a range of scholarships, loans, and bursaries to help finance their education. The university is committed to supporting students financially and encourages applications from candidates with a range of financial backgrounds.

Your living expenses may be higher than for a Home student (eg if you stay in Cambridge/the UK during vacations). The minimum resources needed in Cambridge for the year (excluding tuition and College fees) are estimated to be approximately £10,080 in 2017-18 and £10,310 in 2018-19, depending on lifestyle (you should allow for increases in future years).