BA Music and Philosophy

at Durham University

Year 1

In the first year, you will take the Philosophy core modules of Ethics and Values and Knowledge and Reality. These concern the two broad divisions of Philosophy, delving into Metaphysics and Theory of Knowledge on the one hand, and Moral Philosophy on the other.

First-year students also get to choose one of the following Philosophy modules:
 

• Introduction to Logic

• Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science

• History and Theory of Medicine

• Reading Philosophy.

Reading Philosophy is a text-based course which examines in depth classic works by writers such as Plato, Hume, Murdoch and Sartre.

In Music, you will take Historical Studies 1 and two other modules from the following list:
 

• Introduction to Ethnomusicology

• Analysis 1: Elements of Tonal Theory and Practice

• Historical Composition Techniques

• Composition

• Performance 1 – either with recital or essay.

Years 2 and 3

In the third year, you will take the Aesthetics Philosophy module. In the second and third years, you will also have a choice of a wide range of topics within Philosophy.

In previous years these have included:
 

• Moral Theory

• Philosophy of Mind

• Modern Philosophy I and II

• Gender, Film and Society

• Issues in Contemporary Ethics

• Philosophy of Religion

• Political Philosophy

• Metaphysics

• Language, Logic and Reality

• Twentieth Century European Philosophy

• Philosophy of Science

• The Philosophy of Economics: Theory, Methods and Values

• Science and Religion

• Applied Ethics

• Philosophical Issues in Contemporary Science

• History and Philosophy of Psychiatry

• Biomedical Ethics

There is an equally broad choice of modules within Music. You will also have the opportunity to study a subject in depth, by writing a substantial dissertation of your choice.

Placement
You may be able to take a work placement.

A level offer – AAB including Music. ABRSM Grade 7 Theory is acceptable in lieu of A level Music.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – DDD plus Music as above.

IB Diploma score – 36 with 665 in higher level subjects, including Music. Please see above for requirements.
 

• We consider each application holistically. Whilst academic achievement is important, it is not the only factor that we consider when assessing applications and applicants who have achieved, or are predicted to achieve, close to our typical offer, but who have not met it exactly, will be welcome to apply if they have a strong application in other key elements, for example if they have practical music accomplishments or can demonstrate merit and potential through their personal statement or their reference.

• We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study and may consider other experience in place of formal qualifications where applicable. Mature applicants may also be interested in our Music with Foundation programme (W301).

• Grade 7 or 8 in first instrument is advisable but by no means essential.

• Keyboard skills are advisable (but not absolutely essential), since they aid score reading and analysis.

Science A levels

Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.

The tuition fees shown for students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

Career opportunities

Music

Of those students who graduated:
 

• 81% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:
 

• 67% are in high skilled employment

• With an average salary of £18,000.