Overview
Our Music BA degree has been designed to develop your particular interests in music-making. It aims to equip you with a solid grounding in the craft of creativity which reflects the diversity of musical styles and genre in today’s world.
In your first year you will gain a strong understanding of composition, performance and musicology. You will also be introduced to sonic arts and sound recording. Your peer group of musicians will discuss, review and give you constructive feedback on your musical activities.
You can choose from a range of optional modules in your second year and final year. This means you develop your own bespoke pathway during your music course, and this prepares you for your chosen career in the music world. Examples of specialist options you could choose include orchestration and arrangement, and taking sonic art to the stage, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
You will be taught by some of the leading figures in today’s contemporary music comprising composers, performers and musicologists. They are performing, composing and writing books, and have strong connections with the music community in London, the UK and in Europe. This opens up opportunities for you to collaborate with them and work together on installation projects and a huge variety of creative projects.
Our music facilities include a fully sound-proofed recording studio for rehearsals, and performance spaces and practice rooms equipped with grand pianos, drum kits and amps. Access is available to an editing suite with Mac computer workstations where you’ll work on your music using industry standard music making software.
During your time at Brunel, you’ll benefit from guest lectures delivered by leading figures in the music industry who give advice on music promotion and how to get a gig. In addition, you have the advantage of Brunel’s close location to London’s exciting music scene for planned trips to music concerts, festivals, galleries, and museums.
Our music undergraduate degree can be studied full-time over three years, four years with a placement year, or part-time over six years.
We encourage the placement year option. This time in the music industry helps you to further prepare for the world of work and you’ll have a year’s worth of invaluable professional experience when you graduate. If you decide to go on a music work placement year, you could find yourself working at record companies, TV companies, or teaching music in a school.
You’ll have the opportunity to showcase your musical talent before you graduate alongside external musicians. There are a variety of performances hosted by Brunel including concerts, recitals and ensembles where you’ll be able to network and gain feedback on your creativity from the visiting music artists.
Watch videos and presentations about Music at Brunel,on our 'On demand' pages.
"Without a doubt, as a mature student, my best memory of Brunel was a combination of meeting so many other students and fantastic lecturers." - Helene Hambrook
"I have had many opportunities such as training as a sound engineer, getting paid for tech work and ambassador work" - Savannah Roberts
"We were encouraged not just to think this is just the way music is, but our lecturers encouraged us to be challenged in thinking how we can take this further and think outside of the box." - Jason Charles-Nelson
"Without a doubt, as a mature student, my best memory of Brunel was a combination of meeting so many other students and fantastic lecturers." - Helene Hambrook
"I have had many opportunities such as training as a sound engineer, getting paid for tech work and ambassador work" - Savannah Roberts
Course content
From the first year you will start building a professional portfolio of your project-based work. You will plan and manage themed events and build a live website of your musical creations as part of the professional development module. In later years you can select modules that you find interesting and that reflect your career aspirations. You can choose a theoretical or practical-based final year project. It could be a written dissertation, or, alternatively, a composition, performance, vocal, or an album, or electronics piece.
Compulsory
- MU1608 - Ensemble I: The Art of PerformingThis module provides students with the opportunity to work in both student-led and tutor-led ensembles, exploring the various means of developing a variety of performance skills, and presenting public performances.
- MU1611 - Composing I: Capturing IdeasThis module aims to establish an understanding of key concepts relevant to the craft of composition. Students to be provided with a range of tools for creating and structuring music, drawing on music from a range of genres and technical approaches.
- MU1609 - Materials of Music I: Inside the LanguageThis module aims to establish understanding of a range of important harmonic, melodic, rhythmic and formal aspects of music across a range of styles and genres. Including a study of counterpoint and the roots of classical harmony.
- MU1613 - Professional Development I: Building a Collaborative Musical Project from A-ZThis module aims to build up a set of specific skills to including communication, working in a team, use of technology, creative thinking, self-reflection and personal research.
- MU1612 - Studio Production I: Introduction to the Art of Sound and TechnologyThis module aims to provide a foundation in the principles behind sound recording for studio, live music, and sonic arts applications. Students to gain familiarity with a range of software and hardware used in audio production and sonic arts.
- MU1610 - Ways of Hearing I: Genres Through TimeThis module aims to enable students to develop an understanding of the historical development of different musical genres and the socio-historical contexts within which they developed.
Compulsory
- MU2613 - Materials of Music II: Outside the Box From the InsideThis module aims to develop an overview of 20thC harmony from the music of Debussy, Stravinsky and Schoenberg through to the modernist Stockhausen and Boulez and beyond. Students to understand this alongside the evolution of jazz and blues harmony through to contemporary jazz and popular music.
- MU2615 - Professional Development II: Communicating and TeachingThis module aims to foster effective skills in teaching, communication and leadership. Students will be equipped with a practical knowledge of administrative skills in self-promotion and career development.
- MU2614 - Ways of Hearing II: The Theatre of TechnologyThis module aims to enable students to develop an understanding of the relationship between musical forms and technological innovation and the socio-historical contexts within which they developed. It will enable students to develop analytical knowledge of a range of significant musical works.
Optional
- MU2617 - Composing II: Craft and DevelopmentThis module aims to develop a thorough understanding of the capabilities of instruments, including performance techniques developed in the twentieth- and twenty-first centuries. Students to gain a pragmatic and clear understanding of notating for a range of instruments.
- MU2616 - Ensemble II: Leadership, Directing and ImprovisationThis module offers further performance coaching and performance opportunities, and, in particular, explores the skills of leadership, whether of an ensemble or band, or indeed a project.
- MU2620 - Interdisciplinary Project: Learning CollaborationThis module aims to provide an understanding of collaborative creation and recognise the stages and methods of project development. It will prepare the student for graduate and professional level work in advanced interdisciplinary collaborative creation and research.
- MU2619 - Orchestration and ArrangementThis module aims to develop a practical understanding of instrumentation in a range of stylistic contexts. Students to learn the art of orchestration from a historical viewpoint.
- MU2618 - Studio Production II: Advanced Techniques and Designing Your Own ToolsThis module aims to develop practical skills with software and hardware used in sound editing, treatment, and creative studio work. Students to learn elements of programming techniques and methodologies as they pertain to the music production.
Compulsory
- MU3617 - Professional Independent ProjectThis module aims to explore in depth an issue of interest to the student, through a dissertation, a portfolio of compositions, a performance, or a combination of these.
Optional
- MU3621 - Composing III: Advanced PortfolioThis module aims to produce a portfolio of musical compositions that meet high professional standards. It will foster students’ further development into distinctive musical personalities.
- MU3618 - Ensemble III: Creating PerformanceThis module aims to provide individual students with the opportunity to work on a series of performance projects, devised in collaboration with them, that will range from individual projects through to performing with and directing large ensembles.
- MU3619 - Materials of Music III: Advanced Technical PortfolioThis module aims to enable students to focus on closely-defined areas of technique and knowledge that they have identified as especially significant for their future specialisms and employment.
- MU3622 - Studio Production III: Taking Sonic Art To the StageThis module aims to study of advanced techniques in software and hardware used in the creation of Sound Art. Students to develop advanced skills of working within object-orientated music software (current examples of this include MAX/MSP and Pd).
- MU3620 - Ways of Hearing III: Cultures and SubculturesThis module aims to enable students to develop an understanding of the relationship between music and the socio-political and aesthetic contexts in which it is produced.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of undergraduate degrees at Brunel.
Careers and your future
A music degree from Brunel University London will prepare you for a broad range of employment in the music industry.
Our graduates are ready for the real world of music and launch careers as singers, songwriters, performance artists, and freelance musicians. Others are working in the film industry or in music studios. Some opt to work in event management, teaching, radio, journalism, or software engineering.
UK entry requirements
2024/25 entry
- GCE A-level AAB-BBC.
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DMM in any subject.
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma DM in any subject, with an A-level at grade C.
- BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma M in any subject, with A-levels grade BB.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma 29 points.
- Obtain a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4 or GCSE English Literature grade B or grade 5.
Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.
EU and International entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 55% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£9,250 full-time
£6,935 part-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£19,430 full-time
£14,570 part-time
£1,385 placement year
Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. Home undergraduate student fees are regulated and are currently capped at £9,250 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy. International fees will increase annually, by no more than 5% or RPI (Retail Price Index), whichever is the greater.
More information on any additional course-related costs.
See our fees and funding page for full details of undergraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Please refer to the scholarships pages to view discounts available to eligible EU undergraduate applicants.
Teaching and learning
BA (Hons) Music and Music (Productions) programmes will be delivered in person on campus, through a mixture of lectures and seminars, individual and small group tutorials, drop-in sessions and discussion forums. These may be supplemented with some online and pre-recorded materials. Attendance is obligatory; in addition to facilitating teaching and learning, our structure of on campus in person learning develops musicianship, personal and collegial networks and well-being.
Students are strongly advised to purchase core texts from module reading lists, although copies are also available via Brunel Library.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Our music undergraduate degree is delivered by professional musicians. This means you’ll be learning from teaching staff who will give you real insight into how to develop your relationship with music from a first love into a career.
Study will combine lectures, seminars, individual tutorials and instrumental lessons, masterclasses and workshops, and ensemble sessions.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Your progress will be assessed via essays, coursework portfolios, group practical exercises, individual and group presentations, exams, and the final year individual project.