Expand+How to Apply

Applications for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS websi...

Hide-How to Apply

Applications for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website.

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/filling-your-ucas-undergraduate-application

UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2019 from 1 September 2018.

The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications is 15 January 2019 (18:00), however, for applicants applying to Oxford or Cambridge and for those whose choices include Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine/Science the closing date is 15 October 2018 (18:00).

Currently there are two intakes to Adult Nursing (one in September and the other in February) and application is made for both courses by 15 January (18:00) prior to the academic year of entry ie for September and the following February. The application deadline will not change but it should be noted that from 2019-20 entry, the two intakes may be combined. Please refer to the online prospectus which will be updated as further information becomes available.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses. Earlier applicants normally receive decisions more quickly, however, UCAS accepts that some applicants, especially those from outside the UK, may find this difficult. Late applications are, in practice, accepted by UCAS throughout the remainder of the application cycle, but you should understand that they are considered by institutions at their discretion, and there can be no guarantee that they will be given the same full level of consideration as applications received by the advisory closing date.

Applications for Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work must be submitted by the 15 January (18:00) deadline. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Take care to enter the details of the institutions and courses clearly and correctly on the application. For Queen’s, the institution code name is QBELF and the institution code is Q75. These should be entered in the Choices section of your UCAS application. Please note a Campus Code is not required.

Expand+Entrance requirements

A level requirements
BBB including A-level Music.

Where A-level Music is not offered then A-level grades BBB plus Grade VIII Theory of Music (ABRSM, Trinity-Guildhall or LCM (not Popular Music Theory)) would be acceptab...

Hide-Entrance requirements

A level requirements
BBB including A-level Music.

Where A-level Music is not offered then A-level grades BBB plus Grade VIII Theory of Music (ABRSM, Trinity-Guildhall or LCM (not Popular Music Theory)) would be acceptable. AS-level Music is not acceptable in lieu of A-level Music.

Irish leaving certificate requirements
H3H3H3H3H4H4/H3H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H3 in Music.

Where Higher Level Music is not offered then grades H3H3H3H3H4H4/H3H3H3H3H3 plus grade VIII Theory of Music (ABRSM,Trinity-Guildhall or LCM (not Popular Music Theory)) would be acceptable.

Access/Foundation Course
Certificate in Foundation Studies in Music with an average of 65%.

Further information
If an applicant has successfully completed a Grade VIII Practical Music examination this may be taken into account in August when deciding borderline cases. Applicants should indicate in the 'education' section of the UCAS application if they have, or intend to complete, a Grade VIII Practical examination, specifying the instrument and the awarding body.

Selection Criteria

In addition, to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance notes on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.

How we choose our students

Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by individual University Schools. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.

Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form, which is considered by the Selector for the Bachelor of Music degree along with a member of administrative staff from the Admissions Service. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.

For last year's intake, applicants for the BMus must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C or better (to include English Language). Performance in any AS or A-level examinations already completed would also have been taken into account and the Selector checks that the specific entry requirement of A-level Music (or Grade VIII Theory of Music) can be fulfilled.

Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS would also be considered. The offer for repeat candidates is set in terms of three A-levels and may be one grade higher than for first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.

Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification), or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of performance in individual BTEC units rather than the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.

Applicants offering other qualifications, such as a BTEC Extended Diploma, Higher National Diploma, the International Baccalaureate, Irish Leaving Certificate or an Access course, will also be considered.

The same GCSE profile is usually expected of those candidates taking a BTEC Extended Diploma. A BTEC Extended Diploma in Music (180 credits at Level 3) is required for entry to this degree and offers are currently conditional on successful completion of this Extended Diploma with 100 credits at Distinction and 80 credits at Merit.

For those offering a Higher National Diploma, some flexibility may be allowed in terms of GCSE profile but, to be eligible for an offer, the grades obtained in the first year of the HND must allow the overall offer to be achievable. A relevant HND in Music is required for admission to this degree and offers for Stage 1 entry are currently conditional on successful completion of this HND with 9 Merits and 7 Passes overall. Applicants with sufficiently high grades in the first year of a relevant HND in Music may be considered for entry to Stage 2 and, where offers are made, these are currently conditional on successful completion of this HND with 12 Merits and 4 Passes overall, with Merits in specified units.

Candidates offering Access/Certificate in Foundation Studies courses will be considered individually on their own merits, provided the subject requirements for entry to Music can also be met. Where offers are made, these are conditional on both achieving an average of 65% in the Access course and meeting the entry criteria for Music.

The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but, in the case of the BMus degree, these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.

Candidates applying for the BMus should ensure that information on the highest grade achieved in Practical and Theory Music exams is included in the 'qualifications completed' section of their UCAS application. Details of any Practical or Theory exams which are to be undertaken prior to admission should be included in the 'qualifications not yet completed' section.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.

Candidates who have been made an offer will be invited to visit the School of Arts, English and Languages, and will be given an opportunity to demonstrate their performance skills.

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - FOUNDATION AND INTERNATIONAL YEAR ONE PROGRAMMES

INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.

These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.

Expand+Overview

The BMus in Music is designed for students who wish to develop a deep understanding of music in the broadest sense whilst honing their specialist skills to professional standards. Staff with international reputations in performance, compo...

Hide-Overview

The BMus in Music is designed for students who wish to develop a deep understanding of music in the broadest sense whilst honing their specialist skills to professional standards. Staff with international reputations in performance, composition and musicology provide training that enables young musicians fully to exploit their talents. The degree includes studies in musicianship, harmony, music history and a range of associated skills that provide a well-rounded set of transferable skills such as problem-solving, communication and teamwork. This ensures that graduates in music are equally employable in graduate jobs as they are in musical careers.

Available areas of study are very broad. In addition to core topics, students can opt for optional modules in areas such as music psychology, disco culture, music and film, early music, opera studies and modules that develop software and studio skills.

Music Degree highlights

QS World University Ranking recently placed Queen’s University Belfast in the top 50 universities worldwide for the performing arts.

Global Opportunities
•Students may opt to spend a semester studying abroad. The School has links with a number of international institutions including Oberlin College, Ohio, Capital University, Ohio and University of Groningen.

Professional Accreditations
•The School is an Avid Learning Partner and Avid-accredited courses in Pro Tools for music and audio production are embedded into the curriculum.

Industry Links
•The School benefits from strong industry partnerships including BBC NI, Ulster Orchestra, Opera NI, Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble, Cathedral Arts Festival, Moving on Music, Diatribe Records, DTS and Dolby.

World Class Facilities
•The Music Department is one of the largest and best-equipped institutions in the UK working in the field of music and sound. Students on the BMus in Music have access to state-of-the-art performing and rehearsal spaces that includes two concert spaces that are used for public concerts. The department comprises two buildings: the Music building is a beautiful older building with several stunning teaching spaces; the Sonic Arts Research Centre is a world-leading facility that includes the Sonic Laboratory – a unique performance space capable of three-dimensional sound projection

Internationally Renowned Experts
•Many of our staff are leading international experts in their fields of research. Additionally, the School employs a number Industry Fellows – internationally renowned professionals in their fields of composition, performance, song-writing, sound engineering and music production.

Student Experience
•Northern Ireland has an exceptional track record for producing outstanding musical talent and has a unique identity within the global music industry. Belfast is the creative hub of the Northern Irish music industry and students on this programme will contribute to the vibrant musical life of both the University and the wider city.

Course Structure

Course Content
As a basis for specialisation in performance, composition and musicology, students take modules in music history, harmony and analysis.

Expand+Level 1 Includes five core modules: introduction to music, fundamental harmony, music in history, composing music and musicianship. Students choose one optional module from topics including: performance, ensemble performance, ethnomusicology, and a r...

Hide-Level 1 Includes five core modules: introduction to music, fundamental harmony, music in history, composing music and musicianship. Students choose one optional module from topics including: performance, ensemble performance, ethnomusicology, and a range of music technology modules.

Level 2 includes two core modules in analysis and critical writing skills, plus four optional modules chosen from: performance, composition, improvisation, scoring and arranging, musicology (at least 3 modules offered), and a range of modules that focus on music technology.

At Level 3, students take at least one module in a music history special subject, plus a range of options that will include: composition, dissertation, musicology, performance, work placement, composing for screen. (Up to two optional modules may be in another subject).

Expand+The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Many Music modules are assessed solely through practical project work, continuous assessment or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combin...

Hide-The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Many Music modules are assessed solely through practical project work, continuous assessment or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Module Outline Document which is provided to all students at the beginning of each teaching semester.

Feedback
As students’ progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
Placement employer comments or references
Online or emailed comment.
General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.

Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.

Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.

Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

Expand+Career Prospects

Introduction
The programme prepares students for a wide range of possible career paths and graduates in Music at Queen’s have found success throughout the UK and internationally in both musical and non-musical careers including...

Hide-Career Prospects

Introduction
The programme prepares students for a wide range of possible career paths and graduates in Music at Queen’s have found success throughout the UK and internationally in both musical and non-musical careers including orchestral playing, opera singing, solo artist careers, performance, composition, teaching, media employment and arts administration. Others regularly move into a wide range of graduate employments such as accountancy, banking, publishing and marketing.

Employment after the Course
Graduates in Music at Queen’s have found success throughout the UK and internationally, in both musical and non-musical careers. Our graduates have worked as professional musicians in a wide range of specialisms, including orchestral playing, opera singing, solo artist careers, and composition. Many of our graduates have enjoyed successful careers in teaching and arts administration. Many graduates have used the distinctions of a Bmus from Queen’s to enter into non-music graduate careers.

Alumni Success
Colin Stark – member of Ulster Orchestra
Niamh McGowan – Ulster Orchestra
Chris Day, professional trombonist in Germany
Eugene Montieth, conductor
Marcella Walsh – singer, Scottish Opera
Elaine Pelan – singer
Nathan Morrison – singer
David Stockard – performer and composer
Paul McBride – school headmaster
Kevin Donnelly – project manager for Trocaire projects in Africa

Professional Opportunities
The Stage 3 Work Placement course is an excellent opportunity for students to gain real-world employment experience. Some of the organisations our students have completed placements with include: The Mac, Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast Music Society, Fleming Fulton Special Needs School, JAM (Junior Academy of Music), and a large number of local secondary and primary schools.

The programme prepares students for a wide range of possible career paths including performance, composition, teaching, media employment and arts administration. Music graduates regularly move into a wide range of graduate employments such as accountancy, banking, publishing and marketing. Companies and institutions currently employing our graduates include the BBC, UTV, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, EDRON Academy (Mexico City), Weller Media Agency, Start Together Studios, PSAV, The Mac, Pi Communications, The Nerve Centre, Steven’s Institute of Technology, Trinity College Dublin, Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University.

Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.