BA (Hons) Music

Performing, writing, debating and experimenting music, creativity and critical thinking are inextricably linked.

At Sussex, Music focuses on performance, composition and critical thinking. On your course, youll explore a range of genres including popular, classical, jazz, experimental, film and global music. Youll:

have one-to-one instrumental lessons in your first year
attend masterclasses and concerts
enjoy 24/7 access to industry-standard facilities, including three studios, practice rooms, as well as the 350-seat auditorium and gigs stage with LX and live PA at the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts
tailor your degree to what inspires you most with our range of options from film and popular music to performance
have the opportunity to apply to study abroad or go on a placement to broaden your horizons.
Youll learn from composers, performers and musicologists. There's an emphasis on innovation, creativity and challenging assumptions. Our faculty combine practical musicianship skills with performing and writing music, arranging and musicology.

Youll also benefit from our connections with local music organisations. These include Glyndebourne, the world-class opera venue in the Sussex Downs near Lewes, and The Rose Hill, an independent music venue and creative hub run by artists and musicians in Brighton.

Some of our recent graduates have been signed to labels, made the BBC Radio 6 Music A-list, toured professionally, released albums or composed music for advertising. Others have gone on to record labels, to Nordoff Robbins music therapy, or jobs in film and game composition.

A-level
Typical offer
ABB-BBB

Contextual offer
BBC-BCC

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

Subjects
You must have evidence of strong music ability. You might have A-level Music or Music Technology (with at least grade B in either) or have other evidence of music ability from outside your A-level studies. This could be a formal qualification (such as grade 7 theory or grade 7 instrument or voice from a certified exam board, like Rockschool or ABRSM) or you may have other evidence of strong performance, composition or professional experience from outside your academic studies.

If you are applying without a formal music qualification, but otherwise have a strong UCAS application, we will probably ask you to submit evidence of your music ability as part of our selection process. You might, for example, be asked to provide a portfolio of compositions or songs/tracks or recordings of public performances, or a combination of several of these.

GCSEs
You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Extended Project Qualification
We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer. We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ.
International Baccalaureate
Typical offer
30 -32 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

Subjects
You must have evidence of strong music ability. You might have Higher level Music within your International Baccalaureate (with at least grade 5) or have other evidence of music ability from outside your International Baccalaureate studies. This could be a formal qualification (such as grade 7 theory or grade 7 instrument or voice from a certified exam board, like Rockschool or ABRSM) or you may have other evidence of strong performance or composition or professional experience from outside your academic studies.

If you are applying without a formal music qualification, but otherwise have a strong UCAS application, we will probably ask you to submit evidence of your music ability as part of our selection process. You might, for example, be asked to provide a portfolio of compositions or songs/tracks or recordings of public performances, or a combination of several of these.
IELTS (Academic)
6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component

TOEFL (iBT)
80 overall, including at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing