Music and Philosophy BA

at University of Sheffield

Around half your modules are taken with the Department of Music and around half with the Department of Philosophy.

 

For music, dual honours programmes are very flexible. Music modules for combined honours students are the same as those for BMus students except that there are no compulsory modules. You can choose to split your 120 credits per year equally 60:60 between your two subjects, or you can choose a ‘major/minor’ split of 80:40.

 

A selection of modules are available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. 

 

Choose a year to see modules for a level of study:

 

First year

For music, you select from the following options.

 

For philosophy, you select any modules from group A and/or B and normally choose a minimum of 40 credits.

 

Music optional modules:

• History of Western Music
• Music in Global Context
• Tonal Music Analysis and Criticism
• Exploring Tonal Styles
• Technologies for Music
• Composition
• Performance
• Folk Music Participation
• Composing Electronic Music
• Popular Music Studies
• Music Psychology

 

Second year

For Music, optional modules across our seven areas of expertise are available to students in Years 2 and 3. These modules are taught on a two-year rotation, with the exception of Intermediate Performance, Intermediate Composition and Creative Applications of Music Technology which run every year. This enables the majority of students to select from the greatest possible range of module options across two years of study.

 

For students on a 4 year programme where the 3rd year is spent away from the Department (i.e. as a year studying abroad as part of a Dual programme with languages, or to take up a work placement via the 'BMus Music with employment experience'), the two year module rotation means that you will be out of the department when some options are running. However, since your third year involves a high proportion of modules with a self-directed focus (including dissertation and special project), you should still have plenty of opportunities to pursue your specialist interests.   

 

You'll have the option to choose modules in other departments through guided module choice, which includes Languages for All modules.

 

For philosophy, most dual honours students typically take 60 philosophy credits. All second year philosophy modules are worth 20 credits.

 

Third year

For music, you must take at least 20 credits from among the Final Year Project modules. Optionally, you can also take a second Final Year Project module at 20 or 40 credits. 

 

Optional modules across our seven areas of expertise are available to students in Years 2 and 3. These modules are taught on a two-year rotation, with the exception of Intermediate Performance, Intermediate Composition and Creative Applications of Music Technology which run every year. This enables the majority of students to select from the greatest possible range of module options across two years of study.

 

For students on a 4 year programme where the 3rd year is spent away from the Department (i.e. as a year studying abroad as part of a Dual programme with languages, or to take up a work placement via the 'BMus Music with employment experience'), the two year module rotation means that you will be out of the department when some options are running. However, since your third year involves a high proportion of modules with a self-directed focus (including dissertation and special project), you should still have plenty of opportunities to pursue your specialist interests.   

 

You'll have the option to choose modules in other departments through guided module choice, which includes Languages for All modules

 

For philosophy, most dual honours students typically take 60 credits. All third year philosophy modules are worth 20 credits.

The A Level entry requirements for this course are:

• ABB; BBB
• ABB, including Music; BBB + Grade 8 in either Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool or equivalent) or Performance (ABSRM/ARSM) + Grade 5 Theory
• A Levels + additional qualifications ABB, including Music + B in a relevant EPQ
• International Baccalaureate 33, with 5 in Higher Level Music; 32 + Grade 8 in either Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool or equivalent) or Performance (ABSRM/ARSM) + Grade 5 Theory
• BTEC Extended Diploma DDM in Music
• BTEC Diploma DD + B in A Level Music; DD in Music + B at A Level
• Scottish Highers AABBB + Grade 8 in either Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool or equivalent) or Performance (ABSRM/ARSM) + Grade 5 Theory
• Scottish Highers + 1 Advanced Higher AABBB + B in Music
• Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels B + AB, including Music; B + BB + Grade 8 in either Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool or equivalent) or Performance (ABSRM/ARSM) + Grade 5 Theory
• Access to HE Diploma Award of Access to HE Diploma in Music, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit

 

Routes for mature students

 

Other requirements
Music Technology is acceptable in lieu of Music

English language requirements 
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

Home students
£9,250

Overseas students
£22,520

 

Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider

The musical excellence and academic aptitude you develop on your course will make you highly valued by employers, whatever your chosen career path after university. You'll also develop valuable transferable skills such as time management, critical thinking and interpersonal communication.

 

There are lots of opportunities to get work experience. Hands-on projects are integrated into several academic modules and every year our Concerts team provides internships while the Careers Service can help you find placements. You can lead a music project or workshop in a local school through our student-led volunteering organisation Music in the City. All of these experiences will help you build a compelling CV.

 

Our graduates work with prestigious orchestras and music institutions within the UK and globally, in roles ranging from performing and conducting to administration and education. Sheffield music graduates have also forged successful careers in other fields, from audio programming to marketing and management.

 

Graduate job roles include: artist management, audio programming, composition, concerts coordination, instrument repair, marketing and communications, music research, music promotion, music therapy, orchestral management, professional performance, publishing, sound engineering, teaching.g