University of Cambridge · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Music Bachelor's degree at the University of Cambridge
BA (Hons) Music at University of Cambridge. You'll study areas such as music theory and history, develop composition skills, or focus on performance, whether your interests lie in pop music, classical traditions, or anything beyond.
BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
99%
continuation
About this course
Study areas such as music theory and history, or develop your composition skills. Focus on your interests, from pop music to developing as a performer. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Music is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Cambridge. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Performing arts graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £24,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Music & Performing Arts, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.9
/ 10
2 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent80
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional99
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 99% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 (Part IA) 7 modules
- Historical and Critical StudiesCompulsory
Module details
2 papers covering issues involved in understanding music and its relationship to society and culture. These include studying historical topics in Western music and thinking broadly about the place of music in contemporary societies (world music, popular music, new music)
- Tonal Skills and General MusicianshipCompulsory
Module details
One and a half papers giving you a thorough technical grounding in music of the Western tonal tradition, through writing music in a range of historical styles, aural work, and the acquisition of basic practical skills
- Music AnalysisCompulsory
Module details
A paper that gives you an understanding of what makes music work. You will study different approaches to analysing a broad range of music
- Extended EssayOptional
- PerformanceOptional
- CompositionOptional
- History WorkshopOptional
Year 2 (Part IB) 10 modules
- Historical StudiesCompulsory
- Analysis and Applied Tonal SkillsCompulsory
Module details
Options for orchestration and film scoring
- In-depth Historical TopicsOptional
- Popular Music and MediaOptional
- EthnomusicologyOptional
- NotationOptional
- Keyboard SkillsOptional
- Music and ScienceOptional
- Performance Studies, including RecitalOptional
- DissertationOptional
Module details
5,000 to 7,000 words
Year 3 (Part II) 14 modules
- Advanced PerformanceOptional
- Advanced Performance Skills (Keyboard or Choral)Optional
- Advanced Tonal Skills (Including Film Score)Optional
- Portfolio of Analytical EssaysOptional
- Notation and Source StudiesOptional
- FugueOptional
- Exploring Music PsychologyOptional
- Beginnings of Western PolyphonyOptional
- Operas of Da Ponte and MozartOptional
- Global Popular MusicsOptional
- Issues in African American MusicOptional
- Planetary ListeningOptional
- Prokofiev and his Three WorldsOptional
- Modernist Music AestheticsOptional
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course allows you to study music theory and history, develop composition skills, or pursue performance, and focus on your interests from pop music to specialist areas. A typical music degree begins with foundations in performance, musicianship and theory, and music history. You'll usually progress to more specialised work in year two, where composition, music technology and teaching approaches develop your skills. In your final year, you'll normally focus on a specialist pathway, such as performance, composition, musicology or music production, alongside professional development in the music industry. Most courses conclude with a final recital or major project. Across your studies, you'll engage in ensemble work and develop both practical and analytical capabilities.
Who it's for
You're drawn to music as both intellectual pursuit and creative practice. You think analytically about how music works, harmony, form, history, cultural context, and you want to test and deepen that thinking at university level. You're equally at home with scores, recordings, live performance, or composition. You're self-directed enough to shape your own study around genuine interests, rather than following a fixed path.
Careers & job market
Across Music & Performing Arts courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their education. National graduate earnings from this field start at £20,000–£28,000 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £19,975–£28,200 after five years. Paths vary widely: performance, composition, teaching, arts administration, broadcasting, and research all draw on music graduates' skills.
University & format
The BA (Hons) Music is studied full-time at the University of Cambridge, a public university and Russell Group member, over 3 years. Instruction is in English. Cambridge is a recognised UK degree-awarding body; its degrees are nationally recognised. The university holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryEarly equal-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent96% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: More than 240 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Cambridge's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 96% |
| a Baccalaureate | 4% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by15 October 2026, 18:00 UK timeearlier deadline for this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*+A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeW300quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code W300). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Sit any admissions test & interview
Courses with the October deadline often need an admissions test (e.g. UCAT, BMAT or a subject test) and interviews, register early and prepare.
- 5Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 6Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Cambridge whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Cambridge →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All University of Cambridge funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Music & Performing Arts graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £24,000 | £20,000 – £28,000 | 4620 |
| 3 years after | £27,000 | £22,500 – £36,000 | 35 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 4,620. Cohort 2021-22.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
99%
continue past their first year
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in music & performing arts · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Music & Performing Arts nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£24,000
£20,000 – £28,000After 3 years LEO
£27,000
£15,725 – £22,200After 5 years LEO
£19,975 – £28,200
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £14,500 – £29,500
National figures for Music & Performing Arts graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
99 of 100
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 4,620. Cohort 2021-22. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 3-year median earnings compare with Music & Performing Arts courses at the same study level.
This course £27,000Peer median £23,500Middle 50% £22,500–£25,500
87th percentile
Compared with 527 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Job market & outlook
How Music & Performing Arts graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Music & Performing Arts courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Music & Performing Arts graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Orchestras & ensembles
- Schools & conservatoires
- Studios & venues
- Media & freelance
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Music & Performing Arts graduates.
Music Tech Beta Liaison & Support SpecialistinMusic Brands, Inc.Music QTSColmore Education Recruitment LtdMusic Teachers in HuddersfieldAcademicsMusic Rights Operations & Data Services LeadPPLMusic Engagement Officer - Alternative Provision · Coventry MusicMusiceducationukMusic Audio & Tech Support Desk SpecialistMandarin RecruitmentLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £24,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.9 out of 10: NSS 80.1% · continued 99%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Cambridge
All students22,565
International32.2%
Aged 25+25.1%
Design, and creative and performing arts across the UK
Students178,755
Aged 25+15.7%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around University of Cambridge
1,779 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 453Shoplifting 372Anti Social Behaviour 253Bicycle Theft 147Other Theft 114
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Music & Performing Arts right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Cambridge from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Cambridge; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Cambridge’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Cambridge and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Cambridge
Music & Performing Arts at other universities
BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre Studies (with integrated foundation year)Aberystwyth UniversityBA (Hons) Drama and Theatre Studies (with integrated year in professional practice)Aberystwyth UniversityBA (Hons) Drama & Theatre StudiesAberystwyth University
BA (Hons) Creative Industries Futures (including Foundation Year)ACMCommon questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was More than 240 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by the University of Cambridge. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Performing arts graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £24,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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