Durham University
Music and Philosophy BA (Hons)
Durham University

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 135 graduates of Music and Philosophy BA (Hons) and other courses in Philosophy at Durham University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Philosophy.

Overall student satisfaction
77 /100
135 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Philosophy

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Philosophy at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £27000 £30000 £36500
25-75 percentile range £24000 - £31000 £23500 - £38000 £28000 - £49500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Philosophy

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22656 £19912 £24179
25-75 percentile range £18955 - £26707 £14810 - £25184 £18133 - £31298

Course Description

The BA Music and Philosophy enables you to pursue your interest in both disciplines and explore the fascinating intersection between them. You will be part of two particularly vibrant departments. Located at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durham offers the perfect juxtaposition of the ancient and the cutting-edge.

We pride ourselves on combining the traditional and the modern in the study of music, exploring diverse genres from the past and present and developing exciting new approaches in musicology, composition, music and science, analysis, ethnomusicology and performance.

As part of the philosophy element of the course, you will examine the broad divisions of philosophy, delving into metaphysics and theory of knowledge on the one hand, and moral philosophy on the other. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.

In the first year you will take a variety of core and optional modules designed to give you a broad overview of the disciplines and approaches of each subject.

In the second year, there is an increased emphasis on the development of critical and analytical skills and the modules will specialise more strongly in particular areas.

The third year of this course is structured around an independent project, which can take the form of a composition portfolio, public performance recital or dissertation (in either music or philosophy).

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Music and Philosophy BA (Hons) at Durham University

20% Quality and Regulatory Professionals
15% Process, plant and machine operatives
15% Elementary occupations
10% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
10% Administrative occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
5% Information Technology Professionals
5%
5% Sales occupations

Grading & Study Time

Modules are assessed by a variety of means, including continuous assessment, examinations and recitals. In your third year you will undertake a major project which can be a dissertation, composition portfolio or a solo recital.

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Philosophy

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

M in T Level Health, Healthcare Science, or Science.

Access to HE Diploma

Including one in a relevant subject/science (80 UCAS tariff points)

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 7, (or A) in GCSE Mathematics, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

In a relevant subject/science (112 UCAS tariff points)

Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBB or ABC including a Grade B in Music (or equivalent). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/. **Additional Subject Specific Information** Qualifications that do not include Music Theory must be accompanied by a Music A Level or equivalent or ABRSM Grade 6 Music Theory. Grade 7 or 8 in first instrument is advisable but by no means essential. Keyboard skills are advisable (but not absolutely essential), since they aid score reading and analysis.

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 4.5
    • Foundation
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Music and Philosophy, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Music and Philosophy BA (Hons)

Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £25750 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
International £25750 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1

Additional fee information

The tuition fees for 2024/25 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Durham University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 37 university rankings of Durham University

About Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University (DU) is located in the cathedral city of Durham, North East England. DU takes pride in having numerous subject fields ranked among the best in the world according to QS, as well as having an exceptionally large course catalogue without compromising the quality that students can expect. Apart from the impressive academic opportunities on offer, students can also participate in numerous sports, music, and art-based extracurricular activities on-site.

List of 211 Bachelor and Master Courses from Durham University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Durham University

undergraduates:
17140
postgraduates:
4365
Total:
21505
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Where is this programme taught

College allocation pending
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Durham City
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