Music and East Asian Studies

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.