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Physics with Music

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

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Choose Physics with Music at Royal Holloway, University of London and you'll combine two of the subjects you love across three years of study. You’ll develop a wide range of skills including mathematics, experimental skills, computing, communication, composition and historical musicology, all while maximising your graduate employability with a desirable honours degree.

You'll study in one of the University of London's major centres for physics teaching and research, with research strengths including Quantum physics, condensed matter and particle physics informing our teaching. Physics is studied as the major subject, and you'll learn the mathematical, conceptual and experimental skills expected of a graduate physicist.

This degree is run jointly with the Department of Music, where our expert academics have worked hard to build excellent industry connections. You'll learn about music composition, theory and analysis, together with historical musicology, and issues that shape contemporary music, including politics, urban development, gender and globalisation.

You'll graduate with excellent employability prospects across a range of sectors, with employers valuing graduates with the diverse skillset offered by this degree.
Physics is studied as the major subject with the addition of music as a significant component.

This degree is run jointly with the acclaimed Department of Music at Royal Holloway (no. 5 in the UK, Complete University Guide, 2018).

You will learn about music composition, theory and analysis together with historical musicology and issues that shape contemporary music.

Modules

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

Assessment method

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

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (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:
F3W3
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:
F3W3
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
AAB - AAC

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-economics factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.

Required subjects: Grade A in Mathematics and Physics and A Level Music, plus a Pass in the practical element of all Science A-levels taken. A pass in ABRSM Music Theory grade 7 is acceptable in place of A-level Music. Applicants without A-level grade A in Music or pass in Grade 7 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.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Not accepted

Access to HE Diploma
D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

Pass with at least 33 level 3 credits at Distinction, 9 of which must be in Maths units and the remaining Distinction units in Physics. The remainder of level 3 credits at Merit PLUS A level Maths A Plus Music Theory Grade 7 or A-level Music grade A.

Scottish Higher
AAABB

Including A in Maths and Physics plus Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 ABRSM in performance.

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

plus A-level grades AA in Maths and Physics plus a pass in ABRSM Music Theory and Performance at grade 7 plus a Pass in the practical element of any Science A-levels taken

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

plus AA in A-Level Maths and Physics plus a pass in ABRSM Music Theory and Performance at grade 7 plus a Pass in the practical element of any Science A-levels taken

Scottish Advanced Higher
AAB

Including A in Maths and Physics and with Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 ABRSM in performance

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
34 points

6,6,5 at Higher Level OR 34 points overall including 6 in Higher Level Maths and Physics and with HL Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory. Plus Grade 7 ABRSM in performance.

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, H2, H3, H3

Including H2 in Maths, H2 in Physics and H2 in Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 ABRSM in performance.

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.

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