Music (Hons) University of York

Overview

At the University of York your degree in Music (Hons) will be as unique as you.

Key facts

• Our flexible course integrates practical music-making, musicology, analysis, and music technology. Take options in performance, composition, music education, music psychology and more. 

• York is home to a vibrant music culture. There's a huge range of ensembles to join, from orchestras and choirs to improvisation groups, modular synths and gamelan. You’ll have opportunities to perform in venues ranging from our own concert spaces to the historic York Minster in the city centre. There’s also the YorkConcerts series, societies for bands, Brazilian samba, musical theatre, and regular jazz, folk and open mic events on campus, and across the city.

• Get inspired in exceptional facilities. We have a 350-seat concert hall and a state-of-the-art auditorium for the performance of contemporary electronic music and sound art. Our six recording studios span 60 years of recording technology. We have purpose-built practice spaces, music libraries and sound archives. You can borrow orchestral, historical or non-Western instruments.

• Get one-to-one tuition and develop your performance to a high level. We’ll also help you gain confidence in analysis, writing, listening and creative exploration. You’ll learn to think critically and creatively about music, write with clarity and insight, and apply aural and academic techniques across a wide range of musical contexts. 

• Our staff have extensive experience across disciplines, from performance and pedagogy to music psychology, from ancient music to dance music culture. They explore music's relationship with literature, film, philosophy and beyond. They’re award-winning composers and broadcasters, sought-after studio producers, instrumental and vocal teachers, music historians and researchers.

• Gain industry connections and prepare for your career. We host workshops, masterclasses and talks with professional partners and artists-in-association, helping you to gain careers advice whilst developing a versatile skillset for progression within the music industry. Our graduates go on to careers in performance, production, education, arts administration, community music, journalism, composition and further study; both within and beyond the music industry.