Venues

Gilmorehill Campus

Content

Year 1: Initially you will take two courses that act as a foundation for future study in music. The Listening and repertory course introduces you to the study of key musical works and widens your listening through a broad historical survey. This is taught via lectures and tutorial groups. Through particular attention to works and composers, you will learn about how pieces of music are structured and organised. You will learn to identify different historical styles and gain a sense of how and why music has changed from the medieval period to the present day.

Year 2: All students are required to take a course in musical techniques which helps you with the core musical disciplines of harmony and counterpoint and stylistic composition. In addition, you choose one course (or two if continuing to Music Honours) reflecting your own preferences and strengths. Most students choose a history topic (such as Bach, opera, romantic song or jazz and blues), plus possibly composition, sonic arts, or aesthetics.

Year 3: In third year you can make up a curriculum from the following areas: In third year you can make up a curriculum from the following areas: historiography and criticism; sonic arts; composition;
musical techniques (intermediate); jazz and blues; aesthetics and philosophy of music; analysis;
modernist musical aesthetics; opera – taught in conjunction with Scottish Opera and includes visits to the Theatre Royal; performance (subject to successful audition).

Year 4: in fourth year you can choose from film music; composition; contemporary music ensemble;
sonic arts; multimedia; notation; performance; performance practice; aspects of modernity; the music of Scotland.

In your final year you will also be able to write a dissertation.

Entry Requirements

2025 entry requirements

Standard entry: 5 Highers at AAAAA (by end S6 with min BBBB after S5) including English and Music (or ABRSM Music Theory grade 5).

Entry to year 2 may be possible with 3 Advanced Highers at AAA plus Highers as above.

Widening access entry: 4 Highers at AABB/BBBB (by end S6) including English and Music (or ABRSM Music Theory grade 5). Completion of pre-entry programme is necessary.