Program Overview

As one of the most vibrant musical cities in the world, and a former Capital of Culture, there is no better place to study Music than Liverpool. We are intrinsically connected to the city, working closely with musical and cultural partners, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. This particular partnership extends across the spectrum of our activities, with the Orchestra’s musicians making frequent visits to campus to provide lessons, coaching, and workshops.

The BA Music develops an in-depth and critical historical understanding of classical music repertoires, cultures, and practices. Some modules are practical, concerned with musical performance, composition and orchestration, or creative music technology; while others focus on classical music history or music theory. There are also options in areas such as music psychology, audio-visual media (films and video games), and vocational options.

The nature of the programme will vary according to your module choices. In year one, core modules develop theory skills that will be useful for composition and performance, while the study of music history explores key musical milestones and the nature of music histories and how they are written. You will also have the opportunity to study or investigate areas that may be new to you (such as film music, jazz, technology, composition, world music and many more). Flexibility is our guiding principal, which means that you have a wide-range of modules to choose from that run the full spectrum of musical endeavour.

In your second and final years, you will focus in more depth on fewer selected topics, either concentrating solely on classical music modules or retaining the option to pursue one or two modules in technology or popular music if you wish. Specialist topics can be studied alongside advanced level historical, theoretical, performance or composition modules. In the final year, there is a particular emphasis on specialism and an extended or independent project (such as a dissertation, major composition portfolio or extended recital).

Year in industry

• Undergraduate students in the Department of Music have the opportunity to spend a year in industry, either in their third year, or by adding a ‘follow-on year’ at the end of their academic studies. These are paid placements within an organisation in industry, broadly defined, and you will receive support from the Department and the School of the Arts to source and apply for opportunities. Find out more about the difference between these options, including how to apply.

What you'll learn

• A critical understanding of music from a wide range of aesthetic, cultural and social perspectives
• A detailed understanding of Western Classical (and some other) music repertoires
• Advanced proficiency in performance, and composition
• Academic research skills
• Critical and cultural awareness
• The ability to devise and sustain complex arguments
• Written and oral communication and presentation
• Creativity
• Time management and organisations skills