Music BMus
AAB – BBB at A level, A-level Music; graduates earn a median £23,000 three years on.
Typical A level offer
AAB – BBB
A-level Music · 85% of entrants came with A levels · 90% stay on after year 1 · Glasgow course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
AAB – BBBtypical A level offer
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. A contextual offer can be lower for applicants from under-represented backgrounds; none is published for this course.
Glasgow course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
- 1A-level Music
Who actually got in: 85% with A levels, 10% with other higher education. 70% arrived with 208 or more UCAS tariff points — roughly A*A*A or better. Based on 20 entrants.
UCAS tariff points — a points scale for grades: A* = 56, A = 48, so A*A*A = 160. Entrants’ totals include extra subjects.
Other qualifications2
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish Highers | ABBminimum from S5: ABB | Additional requirements - Higher Music |
| IB | 34 (6,5,5 HL) | HL Music. |
Years 1–4
What do you study?
4compulsory modules in year 1
Compulsory modules this year: arts & humanities 85% · language & communication 10% · transversal skills 6%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
Glasgow course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 4 core · 60 credits ≈ 600 hours
- Musical Techniques, Foundation (BMus)
What you learn (4)
- apply tonal harmony principles to musical exercises
- analyse musical works using period-appropriate techniques
- compose musical passages reflecting chosen stylistic models
- use standard music notation conventions accurately
- Listening in Culture
What you learn (6)
- identify a range of musical forms, genres and styles
- apply key musical concepts to construct an argument
- compose written accounts of listening experiences linked to cultural context
- evaluate ideological issues raised by digital music recording and distribution
- discuss ideological issues in music listening through class debate
- communicate critical listening insights to a non-specialist audience
- Listening through Analysis
What you learn (8)
- analyse musical structures using aural listening skills
- analyse musical structures using notation and written description
- discuss musical structures orally with critical insight
- use accurate technical musical terminology in writing
- construct a clear written argument about music analysis
- identify underlying motivations driving musical analysis
- identify assumptions underlying musical analysis approaches
- relate analytical approaches to the listening experience and enjoyment
Year 2 · 7 core · 100 credits ≈ 1,000 hours
- Analysis: Formalist Approaches
What you learn (6)
- evaluate concepts underlying different musical analysis methods
- compare techniques used across formalist analytical schools
- apply formal analytical methods to pieces from diverse musical traditions
- analyse structural features of musical excerpts from varied genres
- describe the structural organisation of selected musical works
- explain how internal elements of pieces interact to create coherence
- Introduction to Composition
What you learn (5)
- apply varied technical methods to produce original compositions
- apply aesthetic judgement to give compositions a distinct stylistic identity
- incorporate harmony, melody, form, texture and timbre into compositions
- notate music accurately and effectively
- compose music suited to the characteristics of the chosen medium
- Musical Techniques, Intermediate
What you learn (4)
- produce practical projects reflecting varied tonal musical styles
- apply period and stylistic features to composition exercises at an advanced level
- produce accurate music notation for arrangements
- arrange musical pieces using appropriate techniques
- Experimental Music Practice
What you learn (8)
- devise experimental musical performances individually
- devise experimental musical performances within an ensemble
- evaluate diverse approaches within experimental music practice
- conduct research to inform musical performance choices
- apply improvisation techniques in performance
- apply socially-mediated composing and devising methods
- interpret graphic and text scores in performance
- reflect critically on own performance in written form
- Sonic Arts: Interacting with Sound
What you learn (8)
- record sound using appropriate technical methods to achieve creative objectives
- manipulate recorded sound material to achieve a creative aim
- use computer software to generate and shape sound
- operate digital tools to interact with sound in real time
- apply technical sound skills creatively to produce rich audio works
- analyse musical outputs to justify their artistic and technical context
- resolve technical and creative problems encountered while producing sound works
- demonstrate critical listening skills through practical sound work
Year 3 · 15 core · 300 credits ≈ 3,000 hours
- Musical Techniques, Intermediate (MA/BEng/MEng Hons)
What you learn (5)
- produce practical projects showing familiarity with tonal musical styles across eras
- select stylistic features appropriate to a given period for a composition exercise
- apply period and style features to exercises at an advanced level
- demonstrate practical skill in writing music notation
- demonstrate practical skill in arranging musical pieces
- Genders (20)
What you learn (5)
- analyse how gender shapes debates in diverse cultural texts and practices
- construct a well-argued academic essay on gender-related topics
- design a structured oral presentation on a chosen topic
- explain historical approaches to gender in creative works
- evaluate how gender influences debates across creative disciplines
- Composition Advanced 40
What you learn (7)
- combine diverse technical methods and musical viewpoints to produce compositions
- evaluate aesthetic choices to shape a developing personal compositional style
- refine an individual and consistent approach to composing music
- manage specialised compositional elements including harmony, melody and form
- apply notational conventions to represent complex musical ideas
- design compositions that exploit the sonic qualities of chosen instruments or media
- design compositions that exploit the gestural capabilities of chosen media
- Composition Higher
What you learn (5)
- apply advanced technical and formal strategies to compose extended works
- develop a distinctive stylistic identity across a composition portfolio
- evaluate compositional choices using critical listening and aesthetic judgement
- incorporate harmony, melody, form, texture, timbre and notation into compositions
- compose music that exploits the capabilities of selected performance media
- Dissertation in Music
What you learn (11)
- identify a suitable research question or text for extended study
- demonstrate detailed knowledge of a chosen musical topic or text
- identify relevant current literature on the research topic
- critique scholarly sources for relevance and currency
- identify ethical issues arising in a research project
- resolve ethical issues identified within the research design
- select research or analytical methods appropriate to the project
- evaluate the suitability of chosen research methods
- identify limitations of the research project
- relate project findings to existing scholarship
- present research findings in a clear and coherent written form
- Experimental Music Practice
What you learn (5)
- create experimental musical performances individually and in groups
- identify key stylistic features of relevant musical idioms through listening
- research material to inform and develop personal musical performance
- apply varied experimental performance methods such as improvisation and graphic scores
- evaluate own performance within its artistic context through written analysis
- Live Performance, Advanced
What you learn (9)
- select advanced repertoire suited to instrument or voice
- source repertoire material from credible references
- perform chosen pieces with technical mastery and stylistic accuracy
- critique own and peers' performances through attentive listening
- choose appropriate musicians for ensemble collaboration
- organise rehearsals for a collaborative musical group
- apply stagecraft techniques during live performance
- apply organisational and management skills to performance planning
- apply entrepreneurial approaches to performance contexts
- Popular Music Politics
What you learn (8)
- evaluate the political dimensions of popular music across varied contexts
- critique academic and other texts on the politics of popular music
- evaluate key concepts such as politics, gender, race, policy and censorship in music
- analyse academic texts addressing popular music topics
- analyse the relationship between popular music texts and their audiences
- reflect critically on personal musical preferences and their influences
- present oral arguments on the politics of popular music
- write analytical accounts of the politics of popular music
- Sonic Arts: Individual Creative Project
What you learn (7)
- produce a large-scale independent creative project using technology
- resolve technical issues by developing new and existing skills
- operate advanced sound manipulation technologies
- apply advanced listening skills to shape sound creatively
- analyse sound material to achieve a personal aesthetic goal
- evaluate one's own creative practice through critical reflection
- relate aesthetic objectives to relevant artistic contexts
- Sonic Arts: Sound for Narrative Film
What you learn (6)
- create and manipulate sound material to accompany moving image
- operate digital audio software to record sound
- design original sound effects using computer tools
- produce post-production audio material by combining creative and analytical approaches
- investigate the interplay between technology, sound and image in storytelling
- apply advanced creative and technical reasoning to sonic art projects
- Live Performance, Higher
What you learn (11)
- select a programme of music reflecting personal artistic development
- perform music live with technical accuracy
- demonstrate stylistic awareness during performance
- present music to an audience with confidence
- plan a collaborative musical project with group members
- rehearse a group performance to achieve musical coherence
- realise a group performance that represents all members' contributions
- evaluate peer and professional performances critically
- adjust own performance in response to critical listening
- apply administrative and management skills within a music group
- apply entrepreneurial skills to a group music project
- Sonic Arts: Interacting with Sound
What you learn (8)
- record sound using technically proficient methods
- manipulate recorded sound to achieve creative objectives
- apply advanced computer-based tools to generate sound
- use digital software to interact with and shape sound
- produce musical outputs with rich sonic content
- contextualise musical works within relevant artistic frameworks
- generate creative solutions when realising sound works
- refine aural perception through advanced sonic practice
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£23,000median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£17k
Median£23k
Upper quarter£29k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 45 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 24, 14, 22, 13
Half of graduates earned between £17,000 and £28,500. Five years on, the median is £28,500. 100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 80% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 110% left | 90% | 20 |
| In work or study, 15 months on0% studying | 100% | 15 |
| Professional or managerial job | 80% | 10 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £30,500 | 15 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £23,000 | 45 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £28,500 | 40 |
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
72%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 68% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 40 students answered
Highest: 98% agreed on question 20; lowest: 55% on question 24.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 83% |
| Question 2 | 82% |
| Question 3 | 84% |
| Question 4 | 82% |
| Question 5 | 87% |
| Question 6 | 77% |
| Question 7 | 61% |
| Question 8 | 60% |
| Question 9 | 70% |
| Question 10 | 72% |
| Question 11 | 82% |
| Question 12 | 92% |
| Question 13 | 81% |
| Question 14 | 73% |
| Question 15 | 90% |
| Question 16 | 88% |
| Question 17 | 73% |
| Question 18 | 76% |
| Question 19 | 78% |
| Question 20 | 98% |
| Question 21 | 89% |
| Question 22 | 85% |
| Question 23 | 75% |
| Question 24 | 55% |
| Question 25 | 66% |
| Question 26 | 72% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of Glasgow’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of Glasgow is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.