Expand+How and when to Apply
How to Apply
Application 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...

Hide-How and when to Apply
How to Apply
Application 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 at: www.ucas.com/students.

When to Apply
UCAS will start processing applications for entry in Autumn 2020 from 1 September 2019.

Advisory closing date: 15 January 2020 (18:00).

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.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Expand+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...

Hide-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 Course
Certificate in Foundation Studies in Music with an average of 65%.

International Baccalaureate Diploma
32 points overall, including 6,5,5 at Higher Level, including Music

BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma
QCF Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits), with 100 credits at Distinction grade and 80 credits at Merit grade.

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)), with at least 540 GLH at Distinction grade (minimum 240 GLH to be externally assessed) and 540 GLH at Merit grade.

Extended Diploma/National Extended Diploma must be relevant.

Graduate
A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree, provided any subject requirement is also met

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 below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.

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. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.

For last year's intake, applicants for the BMus offering A-level/BTEC Level 3 qualifications 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 any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects 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 relevant Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, will also be considered.

For applicants offering an HNC in Music, the current requirements are successful completion of this HNC with 8 Merits. 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 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.

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.

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.

Music Degree highlights

The BMus degree was established in 1947 and over the last 70 years Queen's Music graduates have achieved a wide range of diverse careers and professional successes throughout the UK and internationally in both musical and non-musical careers.

Global Opportunities
•Students may opt to spend a semester or a year studying abroad. The School has links with a number of international institutions including Sibelius Academy (University of the Arts Helsinki), University of Groningen, Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espetáculo do Porto (Instituto Politecnico do Porto), Université Français Rabelais Tours, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and Technological Educational Institute of Crete
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/GlobalOpportunities/StudyAbroad/ErasmusProgrammeStudyAbroad/Erasmus/Informationforoutgoingstudents/Introduction-WorkandStudy/

Professional Accreditations
•The School is an Avid Learning Partner and Avid-accredited courses in Sibelius for music notation and Pro Tools for music and audio production are embedded into the curriculum.
https://www.avid.com/education

Industry Links
•The School benefits from strong industry partnerships including BBC NI, Ulster Orchestra, Opera NI, Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble, Cathedral Arts Festival and Moving on Music.

World Class Facilities
•The Music Department at Queen’s is one of the best equipped in the UK. Our music degrees are housed in two striking buildings: the elegant, historical Music building; and the world-leading Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC). SARC contains the unique Sonic Lab, a concert hall with variable acoustics and facilities for immersion in 360-degree sound. The Music building houses the Harty Room, a concert hall that is regularly used for public performances. The department also houses state-of-the-art recording studios (for both ‘pop’ and ‘classical’ music), plus studios for surround sound and post production. There are also a large number of practice rooms, including three acoustically isolated rooms, and three suites of iMac computers.

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.

Expand+Level 1
The BMus is the broadest and most flexible of our music degrees. Students are introduced to a number of core areas of musical study at Level 1. At Levels 2 and 3 there is considerable flexibility and freedom for students to choose the areas ...

Hide-Level 1
The BMus is the broadest and most flexible of our music degrees. Students are introduced to a number of core areas of musical study at Level 1. At Levels 2 and 3 there is considerable flexibility and freedom for students to choose the areas they would like to specialise in. There are options for specialisation in areas such as; Solo Performance, Composition, Musicology, Recording Practices and Ensemble Performance, along with individual modules in Arts Management, Song Writing and Traditional Irish Music.

Level 1 consists of five core modules (*) and one optional module.
Modules Include;

Music in History*
Composing Music*
Introduction to Music*
Fundamental Harmony*
Musicianship*
Solo Performance
Ensemble Performance
Being Creative
Sound Recording and Production

Level 2
Level 2 includes two core modules (*) in analysis and critical writing skills, plus four optional modules.
Modules Include;

Classical Analysis*
Fame*
Experimental Popular Musics
Popular Music and Culture
Introduction to Arts Management
Scoring and Arranging
Notation and Transcription
Music Psychology
Song Writing
Sound Design for Screen
Live Production Systems
Improvisation
Sonic Arts
Sound Recording and Production
Solo Performance
Ensemble Performance
Composition
Instrument Installation and Design

Level 3
At Level 3, students are required to take one core module in a choice of music history subject, plus a wide range of optional modules including;

Bach and Mozart
Politics in Popular Song
Film and Music
Auditory Perception
Musical Thought and Scholarship
A Night at the Opera
Traditional Irish Music
Orchestration
Composition
Audio Post Production
Immersive Media
Designing Musical Interactions
Composing for Screen
Sonic Arts
Sound Recording and Production
Single / Double Performance
Dissertation / Special Project
Directed Study
Professional Practice
Work Based Learning

N.B.
This is not an exclusive list and these options are subject to staff availability.

For further information, course related queries or to arrange to visit our facilities please contact our Music Student Recruitment Officer, Krista Gallagher at k.gallagher@qub.ac.uk

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
Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music, Arts Council Ni
Marie-Claire Doris, Classical Music Producer, BBC
Eugene Montieth, Conductor
David Stockard, Performer and Composer
Paul McBride, School Headmaster
Kevin Donnelly, Project Manager for Trocaire projects in Africa
Ciaran O'Donnell, Head of Music Service, Birmingham
Dierdre McKay, Composer

Professional Opportunities
The Level 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.

Additional Awards Gained

Students wishing to take modules in either solo or ensemble performance at Level 1 must first successfully pass an audition. Each student accepted onto a Level 1 performance module is awarded a generous performance bursary that covers the cost of all practical performance tuition. Performance bursaries are also provided to students taking performance modules at Levels 2 and 3.

Prizes and Awards

Ranked 8th in the UK for Student Satisfaction - Complete University Guide 2019

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.