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We are a world leader in creative, practical and scholarly approaches to music.

Undergraduate students

Academic requirements

Your application should be accompanied by:

  • a sample of recent written work in English on a relevant topic, previously submitted as part of a music course (at least 1,500 words)
  • a recent composition and/or a recorded audition on CD/DVD/YouTube or similar
  • All projects require confidence in music notation, some may also require performance ability (as described in the module description/assessment options).

Choosing your modules

The list below is indicative of the type of modules which may be available during your study period. Not all modules advertised in the Module catalogue are available to exchange and visiting students. Our modules are popular, so you should apply early. List the module(s) you wish to take as well as second-choice alternatives. Please add these module choices in the 'outline of studies to pursue at York' section.

Students may take up to 3 modules in each semester, subject to pre-requisites and timetabling constraints. For students taking more than one module, one of their choices must be Combined Practical Studies for Visiting Students 1 or 2. Combined Practical Studies for Visiting Students is not available as a stand alone module. Some modules are on the timetabled at the same time, it is not possible to take both these modules. These are noted on the Module list as 'one of'.

You will be contacted by the Department during early August or early December (depending on your start date) to discuss your module choices.

Undergraduate English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (the language requirements are part way down the page. The other requirements are not applicable).

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

Postgraduate students

Postgraduate English language requirements 

IELTS: 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (the language requirements are part way down the page. The other requirements are not applicable).

For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.

Academic requirements

You should hold an undergraduate degree in music or related subject.

Our courses will give you an idea of the modules we run:

Teaching schedule

You can study in our department for the following periods:

  • Full academic year
  • Semester 1 only
  • Semester 2 only

Examination and assessment

Assessment is mainly by assignment submitted via the VLE. Performance based projects usually require a performance based assessment.

Start your application

Contact us

Thomas Simaku
International Officer

thomas.simaku@york.ac.uk

Gilly Howe
Music postgraduate contact

gilly.howe@york.ac.uk

Undergraduate contact

act-ug-admin@york.ac.uk

Undergraduate and postgraduate modules

In semester 1, you'll need to choose 3 modules in total; one from each of the following sections (A, B and C).

In semester 2, you'll need to choose 3 modules in total. You must take 'Analyse This! Critical Approaches to Music 2' and can then select two further modules from section E.

Module Code Module Description Section Year / Stage Semester Credits ECTS Pre-requisites or experience required
MUS00125C Listen to This! Critical Approaches to Music 1 A 1 1 20 10 confidence in music notation
MUS00198I Critical Thinking & Listening A 2 1 20 10 confidence in music notation
MUS00189C Developing Themes: Music in The Long 19th Century B 1 1 20 10 confidence in music notation
MUS00105C Introduction to Sound Recording C 1 1 20 10 confidence in music notation, recording
MUS00187C Sequencing, Synthesis and Sampling Techniques C 1 1 20 10 confidence in music notation, recording
MUS00199I Advanced Composition C 2 1 20 10 confidence in music notation, composition
MUS00176I Analysing Classical Sonatas C 2 1 20 10 confidence in music notation
MUS00123I On Late Style C 2 1 20 10 confidence in music notation
MUS00073I Solo Voice Ensemble Singing C 2 1 20 10 confidence in music notation, performance
tbc South African Jazz Epistles C 2 1 20 10 confidence in music notation
MUS00140I Conducting C 2 1 20 10 confidence in music notation
MUS00188C Analyse This! Critical Approaches to Music 2 D 1 2 20 10 confidence in music notation
MUS00185C Composition 1 E 1 2 20 10 confidence in music notation, composition
MUS00014I Composition 1 E 2 10 confidence in music notation, composition
MUS00153C Musicians’ Health and Wellness E 1 2 20 10 confidence in music notation
MUS00145I Musicians’ Health and Wellness E 2 2 20 10 confidence in music notation
MUS00108C The Body in Musical Performance E 1 2 20 10 confidence in music notation, performance or composition
MUS00018I The Body in Musical Performance E 2 2 20 10 confidence in music notation, performance or composition
New module Level C and I Introduction to Sound Studies E 1&2 2 20 10 confidence in music notation
New module Level C and I Research Methods for Music Education E 1&2 2 20 10 confidence in music notation
New module Level I The Uses of Tonality E 2 2 20 10 confidence in music notation
New module Level I Dancing about Architecture: Words and Music E 2 2 20 10 confidence in music notation
New module Level I Music and Empire E 2 2 20 10 confidence in music notation
New module Level I Romantic Period Performance Practices E 2 2 20 10 confidence in music notation, performance
New module Level I Music of the Afro-Atlantic E 2 2 20 10 confidence in music notation
New module Level I Music Education and Social Justice E 2 2 20 10 confidence in music notation
MUS00087M Case Studies in Music History 1 N/A M 1 20 10 UG degree in Music
MUS00088M Case Studies in Music History 2 N/A M 2 20 10 UG degree in Music
MUS00089M Critical Musicology: Theories and Approaches N/A M 1 20 10 UG degree in Music
MUS00105M Research Skills for Musicians N/A M 1 20 10 UG degree in Music
MUS00104M Effective pedagogy N/A M 1 20 10 UG degree in Music
MUS00095M Enhanced student-centred pedagogy N/A M 2 20 10 UG degree in Music
MUS00117M History, Practice and Study of Community Music N/A M 1 20 10 UG degree - in Music or with Grade 8 performance
MUS00112M Specialisms and Contexts N/A M 2 20 10 UG degree - in Music or with Grade 8 performance

Contact us

Thomas Simaku
International Officer

thomas.simaku@york.ac.uk

Gilly Howe
Music postgraduate contact

gilly.howe@york.ac.uk

Undergraduate contact

act-ug-admin@york.ac.uk