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Music and East Asian Studies

  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 28/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Sheffield

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

Perform, compose and write about music while developing your language skills and understanding of East Asian culture. You'll spend your third year studying in an East Asian country at one of our six partner universities. Music modules span performance, composition, musicology, ethnomusicology, music psychology, musical industries and music technology.

Become an independent musician and music researcher – all while achieving fluency, real lived experience and a critical understanding of East Asia and its people.

In this degree you will learn to listen, perform, think and write critically about music of multiple genres while developing your language skills and understanding of East Asian culture.

You will get to learn either Korean, Japanese or Chinese from scratch, with a focus on social and vocational skills in writing, summary, precision translation, debate and oral presentation.

The combination of language study, the huge, flexible range of music modules, and time spent with our partner universities in East Asia, makes this degree the perfect space in which to pursue your love of East Asian music. Together, we’ll help you establish the skills and portfolio you need to enjoy a career in the music industry.

Why study this course?

  • Pursue your love of music and Korean culture - with a strong foundation of musical understanding, this dual course supports you as you develop both as a musician, and a student of Korean culture.

  • Number one for Asian studies - ranked 1st in National Student Survey (NSS) results 2023 across Asian studies in the UK, the Centre for Korean Studies has a thriving research culture, with unparalleled opportunities to tap into national and international expertise.

  • Top five for music in the UK - we have been awarded 5th in the UK in the UK for music, in the Complete University Guide 2024.

  • Work in music - gain practical industry experience while you learn with our 'Work in Music' module, and build a network of professionals who can advise you on your career.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 28/09/2026

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:
WTH4
Institution code:
S18
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Sheffield 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:
WTH4
Institution code:
S18
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB - BBB

ABB including Music; BBB + Grade 8 in either Practical Grade 8 in either Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool/LCME or equivalent) or Performance (ABRSM/ARSM/Rockschool/Trinity) + Grade 5 Theory (ABRSM/Trinity/LCME)

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

in Music

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits P: 0 credits

Award of Access to HE Diploma in Music, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit

Scottish Higher - AABBB - AAABB

AABBB + Grade 8 in either Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool/LCME or equivalent) or Performance (ABRSM/ARSM/Rockschool/Trinity) + Grade 5 Theory (ABRSM/Trinity/LCME); AAABB including Music

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

+ B in A Level Music

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 - 33 points

33, with 5 in HL Music; 32 + Grade 8 in either Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool/LCME or equivalent) or Performance (ABRSM/ARSM/Rockschool/Trinity) + Grade 5 Theory (ABRSM/Trinity/LCME); 32, with 5 in HL Music, and B in a Music-based Extended Essay

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

H2 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3, including Music; H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 + Grade 8 in either Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool/LCME or equivalent) or Performance (ABRSM/ARSM/Rockschool/Trinity) + Grade 5 Theory (ABRSM/Trinity/LCME)

To find out if you're eligible for additional consideration or an alternative offer, visit: ww.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/access-sheffield

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

English language requirements

You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

English language requirements for undergraduates https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/english-language

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.

The entry grades data only represents a proportion of our cohort. We accept a broad range of qualifications on our degrees and we're committed to ensuring all students with the potential to succeed at Sheffield are informed and feel encouraged to apply. If you meet one or more of our Access Sheffield criteria, we may be able to give your application additional consideration when we receive it and when exam results are released.

Learn more on the University of Sheffield website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

Tuition fees for 2026 entry have not been confirmed. Please use 2025-26 information as a guide.

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