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Music courses in the UK
Music is a popular subject among international students who want to study in the UK. It is important to be aware that there can be big differences from one Music degree to another. Some programmes are more academically oriented, others are almost exclusively practical, while still others have a mixture of the two. Practical music studies are for you who want to learn more about interaction, arrangements, composition, instruments and musical understanding, as well as develop yourself musically. There will also be an element of theory in practical music studies, so it is wise to look carefully at the subjects offered at the various studies.
Theoretical studies have more focus on music history, composers through the ages, culture and notation than more practical, performing music studies. You are usually (but not always) expected to have experience in music and to be at a certain level for either instrument or voice. There are also more technical or production-focused courses in music, and they will be included in the category of music technology or music production.
Music is also a popular subject to combine with other subject areas, including dance, drama, languages, art history, film and TV, media, and the like. There is also often a great deal of flexibility within the various music programmes, which gives you great flexibility within desired specialisations. It is also common to collaborate with other disciplines and students on campus/university on e.g. concerts, theatre performances, plays, revues and other events.
A music course usually focuses on letting you find your expression, while introducing you to a variety of different aspects of music. You learn about the history of music and different ways of getting your message across through music. You also get training in relevant theory and culture, as well as learning about different ways of listening to music! As the course develops, you will also be able to compose your own performances and events. The third year has a main focus on a project and/or a bachelor's thesis, i.e. a main thesis. Here you can immerse yourself in exactly what you are interested in when it comes to music, and use what you have learned in the first two years.
MASTER'S DEGREE IN ONE YEAR
After completing an undergraduate degree, you have a broad background and you qualify for a number of master's degrees. In the UK you can apply for almost any master's degree without necessarily having an undergraduate in the same field of study. Of course, a relevant bachelor's degree would be advantageous, but it is not always a requirement. After completing an undergraduate degree, you will also be able to go on to a master's degrees in for instance Business, Management, Marketing etc. Across the Pond advisors are happy to send you suggestions for courses that will suit you. In the UK, a master's degrees usually takes one year.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
After completing your degree in music, you can work in performing music, as a composer, artist, in education, with children and young people, as a music teacher, with theatre and musicals, and with everything to do with music.
We also recommend working in your home country during the holidays while you are a student in the UK. When you are looking for a job after graduation, it will be a huge advantage to be able to have work experience on your CV, but it will also be very useful to start as early as possible to make contacts in working life. You often have long holidays as a student in the UK, so there are good opportunities to be able to go home and work during these periods.
