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Music with Philosophy

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
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More about Royal Holloway, University of London

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

By combining Music (75% of your course) with Philosophy (25%) you will take Music as the major element of your degree alongside some study of philosophy.

Studying Music at Royal Holloway allows you to tailor your studies to your own interests and passions.

We have expertise spanning traditional, modern and world music. Through studying musical texts, practices, cultures and institutions you will explore issues in history, sociology, ethnology, and philosophy covering an exceptional geographical and chronological range. You will also be able to gain practical skills in composition, music technology and performance.

You will join a music department that is among the very best in the country, ranked third in the UK for research quality (REF 2014) and the only music department in the country to hold a prestigious Regius Professorship.

  • You will have access to well-equipped studios and recording facilities as well as incredible performance spaces including the Windsor Auditorium, Boilerhouse Theatre, Victorian Picture Gallery and College Chapel.

  • Our well connected department means you have the opportunity to make valuable music industry contacts. Our staff are connected with musical networks such Wigmore Hall, the BBC Proms, Royal Opera House.

At Royal Holloway we have a unique approach to Philosophy that looks beyond the narrow confines of the Anglo-American analytic or the European tradition of philosophy focus on both traditions, their relationship and connections between them. The result has been the creation of a truly interdisciplinary and collaborative programme that brings together academic staff from departments across the university.

With the opportunity to examine (amongst other things) the mind and consciousness, aesthetics and morals, the self and others, the range of subjects available to Philosophy students at Royal Holloway guarantees that there will be something on offer that really engages you during your time with us.

  • Gain practical skills in composition, music technology or performance.

  • Choose from a wide range of performance opportunities including orchestras, choirs, jazz, pop, and world music ensembles.

  • Apply for one of our choral, organ, orchestral or music scholarships.

  • Philosophical approach spanning Anglo-American and European traditions.

  • A truly interdisciplinary and collaborative philosophy programme.

Modules

Please refer to our website for information: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/music/music-with-philosophy/

Assessment method

Your course will be assessed by a combination of examinations and in-course assignments in the form of essays or presentations.

This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 21 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
W3V5
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Royal Holloway, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

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:
W3V5
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
ABB - BBB

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required.
Socio-economic factors which may have impacted an applicant’s education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.
Required:
Music A-Level or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory.
Applicants without A-level grade A in Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory may be eligible for the Intensive Theory entry. This requires Music GCSE grade A/7 or equivalent, plus performance at Grade 7 level. In term 1 you will be required to take Fundamentals of Music Theory, an intensive music literacy course.
Students wishing to take Solo Performance options will need to be of Grade 8 level in performance at point of entry.

If you are studying two A-level subjects, you may still be eligible for entry to the Music BMus (single honours), if you are able to provide evidence of your ongoing commitment to music.
For this pathway, the standard offer is AB including music. We require candidates to be performing to Grade 8 ABRSM standard, to have studied music theory to Grade 5 ABRSM level, and have a substantial record of musical performance or other musical achievements, which they should detail in their Personal Statement.

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

BTEC must be in a relevant subject, plus evidence of A-Level standard Music proficiency, Grade A equivalent or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 practical.

Access to HE Diploma
D: 27 credits M: 18 credits

Pass with at least 27 level 3 credits at Distinction, and the remaining level 3 credits at Merit, plus evidence of A-Level standard Music proficiency grade A equivalent or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 practical at Pass .

Scottish Higher
AABBB

Including Music or or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 practical.

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

BTEC must be in a relevant subject, plus A-Level Grade B in Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 practical.

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

Plus A-Level A-Levels Grades BB including Music plus pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 practical.

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
DDD

BTEC must be in a relevant subject, plus evidence of A-Level standard Music proficiency, Grade A equivalent or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 practical.

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
D*D

BTEC must be in a relevant subject, plus A-Level Grade B in Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 practical.

Scottish Advanced Higher
ABB - BBB

Including Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 practical.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32 points

6,5,5 at Higher Level OR 32 points overall including 6 in Music at Higher Level or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 practical.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2, H2, H3, H3, H3

H2,H2,H3,H3,H3 at Higher Level, including Music at Higher Level, or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 practical

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

We require English and Mathematics at grade 4/C.

Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us on admissions.enquiries@rhul.ac.uk to discuss your situation.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.

Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

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

*The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. This figure is the fee for the academic year 2026/27 and is shown as a guide.

**This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2026/27 and is shown as a guide.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see fees and funding (https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding).

*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year and are included as a guide. Refers to specific individual items of £50 or more, and excludes accommodation, commuting, food, books/other learning materials and printing costs.

Sponsorship information

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studyhere/undergraduate/feesandfunding/bursariesandscholarships/home.aspx

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