Undergraduate study

Get involved in creating and performing from day one

Become part of a vibrant and exciting music community

Be taught by world-leading professional musicians and composers

Develop transferable skills that can be applied to a variety of careers

A Music degree at York aims to deliver a balanced musical education whilst providing opportunities to specialise and pursue your own study under expert guidance. At York, you will be part of a vibrant musical community. You will be taught by active professionals - what you learn at York (even as an undergraduate) stems directly from current research.

The course is flexible and challenging. It allows you to specialise and develop your own musical interests whilst acquiring a solid, broad-based education. We value all forms of musical activity: performing, composing, analysis and musicology are all available for you to study.

The course at a glance

Download a pdf brochure

Contact us for a copy of our brochure or download a PDF.

The ground-breaking Project System

The modular Project System at York means you select one course module to study intensively each term. Modules are normally open to students from all years. There are a wide choices of modules which vary from year to year, although some (such as Composition and Music in the Community) are run every year.

Most modules are assessed by a submission. The nature of the submission is flexible, and may consist of an essay, seminar paper, composition, performance or analysis; often a combination of these will be required. There are no formal written examination papers. In addition, final year students may offer a Recital (30mins) or an Independent Composition Folio. All final year students also submit a Solo Project, which is usually a dissertation on a subject of your own choice.

Each student has an academic supervisor who assists with choices and helps to ensure balance and breadth over the three years.

First-year work is not included in the final degree classification, which is calculated on the basis of seven units (e.g. five modules, Solo Project and a recital or composition folio). Students can opt to take another project or a second independent study module rather than give a Recital or submit a composition folio.

Applying to York

  • Applying
    Applying to undergraduate programmes takes place through UCAS. In this section you will find information about offers, interviews and open days.

  • Funding
    Various funding opportunities are available to undergraduates, including the Minster Choral and Organ Scholarships and the Sir Thomas Beecham Scholarship.

  • International students
    Information for prospective students from overseas.

  • FAQs
    Find answers to common questions from prospective students, including topics on auditions, mature students, and performance.

About the Department

  • Seminars
    Our seminars are open to all students and staff. These are held weekly during term and include research and composer seminars from visiting lecturers, staff, and students.

  • Student life
    There are ample opportunities to become involved in things outside the music department, with dozens of societies welcoming undergraduate students. Here you will find information about all societies that are connected to musical activity on campus.

  • Study abroad
    The course at York includes the opportunity to study abroad. Here you will find details of partner institutions within and outside of the EU.

  • Our alumni
    The alumni from our programmes have gone on successful careers in many areas of music. Read about our graduates, find out what they're doing now, and get in contact with them.