Music

BMus (Hons) Full time

Course Overview

UCAS code: W302
Duration: 4 years
Study type: Full Time
Napier code: 54110BH

Students study an instrument, voice or composition. At the same time, you will deepen your vision of music and develop your analytical and imaginative potential. You’ll also take performance or composition as a major strand of your studies, and weekly tuition will be provided on your principal instrument/voice during the course. You will develop a secure working knowledge of notation, understand a range of compositional techniques and become conversant with many styles and genres that are taught by appropriate professional practitioners at the highest level.

This course does not cover pop music but if wish to study that genre our BA (Hons) Popular Music may be of interest to you.

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This is a course for practising musicians, vocalists and composers: unlike many other university music courses, our Bachelor of Music degree provides more of a conservatoire-based education, with as much emphasis on performance practice as on academic studies. You'll study at the Ian Tomlin School of Music, an environment conducive to music making, with plentiful practice rooms, recording studios, ensemble studios and opportunities for performance.

You'll gain an insight into the world of the working musician through experienced teaching staff and masterclasses and workshops conducted by visiting performers. Gaining experience through individual and group classes, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with students from other disciplines in the School of Creative Industries, such as filmmakers, artists and writers.

Already skilled in your principal study, whether it be an instrument, voice or composition, you'll continue to work on honing your proficiency to a professional standard. You'll back up this practical facility with a knowledge of musical styles and their development throughout history. A number of electives will add to your musical skills, such as jazz improvisation, keyboard accompaniment techniques, music therapy, teaching and conducting.

  • performance
  • research
  • teaching
  • community programmes
  • music therapy
  • arts administration
  • music technology
  • recording
  • broadcasting

What's it like?

A conservatoire-based course, with emphasis on performance practice

Career prospects

We are one of the top universities in Scotland for graduate employability, with over 93% of our graduates in jobs or further study six months after graduating.

The music industry is notoriously competitive, particularly in the area of performing. The practical experience you'll gain from this course, along with the industry contacts, will place you on a firm footing for entry into the field.

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What's involved

Modular learning

Our courses are structured by modules which gives our students a flexible learning programme. Modules covered by this course:

On offer

Campus life

World class facilities


Why I chose Napier

Requirements at a glance

Entry to the course

International students

Full-time study (per year)

The fees listed are stated per annum.

Part-time study (per year)

The fees listed are stated per annum.

Part-time study (per module)

Fees listed are per 20 credit module.

The number of modules studied is dependant on the exit that you wish to achieve, for example:

  • A Grad Cert is 60 Credits (3 modules)
  • A Cert HE/Grad Dip/ HND is 120 credits (6 modules)
  • A Dip HE credit is 240 credits (12 modules)
  • A Degree is 360 credits (18 modules)
  • An Honours Degree is 480 credits

Please note that some part-time courses give modular exemptions for previous study and vocational experience. Advice is available during application.

Fees Table

Fees displayed are correct at the time of publication but the University Court reserves the right to make changes in fees at any time, and without notice, before or after the student's admission to the University.

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and will rise each year during your programme of study, at least in line with inflation.

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