Course summary
This is the programme for you if you are:
- passionate and curious about music
- fascinated by the role that music plays in our lives and how it interconnects with other fields, disciplines and technologies
- focus on the cultural, sociological, and historical contexts of music
- specialise in composition and/or performance
- focus entirely on studying music courses
- study a mix of music courses and courses from subjects outside of music
- Our programme will provide you with an enjoyable, rewarding, and rigorous engagement with music and music-making.
- On completion, this degree places you in a very strong position for a high-level career in the music industry, in many fields related to music and beyond.
- This degree will provide you with an opportunity to learn valuable transferable skills and abilities as part of an arts and humanities degree from a world-leading, research-intensive University that opens doors to graduate jobs and opportunities beyond music.
- We offer a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm for the subject area, led by scholars who can help you discover new insights, areas of interest, and ideas within the discipline of music.
- You will be part of a rich community of practising musicians in the School of Music and of creative artists, designers, filmmakers, animators, and others in the wider Edinburgh College of Art.
How to apply
This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.
15Jan
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.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W302
- Institution code:
- E56
- Campus name:
- Central area campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAB - ABB
Scottish Higher - AAAB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 36 - 34 points
You must have a demonstrable commitment to music. You will not be interviewed. You are required to enrol in the 'Fundamentals of Music Theory' course unless you have an A in Advanced Higher or A level Music, or IB HL Music at 6. If you wish to study Performance 1: If you are an offer holder, and wish to study the Performance 1 course, you need to have achieved Grade 8 (ABRSM or Trinity) or equivalent in your main performance specialism (instrument or voice). If you choose to accept your offer you should email a copy of your Grade 8 certificate(s) to the Music Office no later than 30 August. [email protected] If you do not hold formal performance qualifications: If you are an offer holder, and do not hold formal performance qualifications but are confident in your ability, you should record an audition video of no more than ten minutes in duration. If you choose to accept your offer you should email your video to the Music Office no later than 30 August. The video should contain scales in two different keys across the full range of your instrument or voice and two contrasting pieces of music at Grade 8 (ABRSM or Trinity) standard. [email protected] If you are unfamiliar with Grade 8 standards: If you are unfamiliar with Grade 8 standards, you should consult the ABRSM and Trinity grade syllabi for your chosen performance specialism. This will help you familiarise yourself with the required level of technical and musical skills. https://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams We do not offer advanced entry for this degree programme. All applicants will be considered for year one entry only, unless you are transferring from a degree at another University. Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB
Scottish Higher - ABBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course
Additional entry requirements
Interview
The Reid School of Music does not interview or hold auditions. We scrutinise your application and request further performance background information if we require it. This process ensures that we offer places to students who show the ability to meet our high standards, and that applicants from all backgrounds have the same opportunity to demonstrate their potential.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 92 | total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with distinctions in all four components. |
You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.
Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:
https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| EU | £38900 | Year 1 |
| International | £38900 | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.
Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.
England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535.
For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits
.
EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.
Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Provider information
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL