Music University of Cambridge

Overview

The Music BA (Hons) at the University of Cambridge provides a comprehensive foundation in musical scholarship, creative practice, and scientific inquiry. This programme is designed to challenge students through a rigorous curriculum that balances historical perspectives with contemporary musical developments. By engaging with diverse genres and styles, students cultivate a sophisticated understanding of music's role in global culture.

Why Music at the University of Cambridge?

The University of Cambridge is ranked second in the UK for Music, offering an environment where students follow in the footsteps of world-renowned composers and performers. The Faculty of Music serves as a hub for international research, featuring a 500-seat professional Concert Hall and the extensive Pendlebury Library. Students have access to exceptional resources, including a Javanese Gamelan, a vast collection of period instruments, and state-of-the-art recording studios equipped with industry-standard software like Logic and Pro Tools.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: GBP 38010 per year
• National fee: GBP 9790 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to provide a secure foundation in the first year before offering increased flexibility in later stages. Modules may include:

Year 1

• Historical and Critical Studies
• Tonal Skills and General Musicianship
• Music Analysis

Year 2

• Ethnomusicology
• Music and Science
• Notation
• Keyboard Skills

Year 3

• Music Psychology
• Global Popular Musics
• Modernist Music Aesthetics

Careers with Music

Graduates from this programme possess highly transferable skills in analysis, research, and communication, leading to success in diverse sectors. Many alumni pursue professional roles as performers, composers, conductors, and sound engineers. Others find rewarding careers in arts administration, publishing, media, banking, and law. The degree provides a strong platform for those entering the charity sector or public service, as well as those continuing into academic research.