Undergraduate study

The Music course at Oxford gives students the opportunity to explore music as a rich and multifaceted part of human experience. Students explore case studies from history and musical practices from around the world, as well as using different methodologies to engage with music as a phenomenon, such as psychology, ethnography, and sociology. Moreover, students can develop practical musical skills in performing, composing, conducting, arranging, and writing about music. 

With such an array of transferable skills and experience, our graduates move on to a wide range of careers, including broadcasting, publishing, teaching, arts administration, law, politics, and the civil service. Many students undertake further study in performance, often at conservatoires in the UK and abroad. Rather than limiting your career prospects, a music degree opens doors to a wide range of careers both within and outside the arts.

The varied nature of the course enables students to develop highly desirable skills in areas such as self-management, creativity, data analysis, performance, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication, all of which make them an attractive prospect for potential employers.

Teaching, performance and arts administration are among the popular destinations for music graduates, but others include broadcasting, publishing, law, politics and the civil service. Many students undertake further study in performance, often at conservatoires in the UK and abroad. Rather than limiting your career prospects, a music degree opens doors to a wide range of careers both within and outside the arts.

Oxford seeks to attract the best and brightest applicants irrespective of background. There is no such thing as an ‘Oxford type’; in Music, we welcome students with a huge variety of musical tastes and experiences. The only two essential criteria are a dedication to and passion for your subject, and a dedication to learning. If you think you meet these criteria, then we are interested in you, and you should seriously be considering applying to us!

Qualifications

Applicants wishing to read music at Oxford from the UK will normally have taken or be about to take one of the four options below. The standard offer is given in brackets. 

•    A-Level Music plus two other A-level subjects (AAA)
•    Grade 7 or above Music Theory (ABRSM), plus three other A-Level subjects. (AAA + Pass at ABRSM Music Theory 7+)
•    Equivalent qualifications such as Pre-U, Scottish Highers, and International Baccalaureate. More information on this can be found on the Admissions website.

The Faculty accepts Level 3 Vocational qualifications BTEC Extended Diploma in Music in place of Music A-level, where a student is not able to take Music A-level at their school, however Grade 7 Music Theory should also be obtained if your primary Music qualification is vocational. BTECs in other subjects may be accepted, depending on the subject taken and at the discretion of the individual admitting tutor and their college. The Faculty of Music will accept the BTEC Extended Diploma in Music (or similar) consider other vocational qualifications in Music; however, an accompanying A-Level in an essay subject, or a strong grade in an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), is strongly recommended. 

The Faculty does not require qualifications in performance or Keyboard Skills, and no candidate should be dissuaded from applying if they have not studied a keyboard instrument. However, we encourage students to work on developing their keyboard fluency before they come to Oxford, whether this comes in the form of jazz, pop or classical music.

The Application Process

1. UCAS Application
2. Shortlisting
3. Written Work/Performance submission
4. Interviews
5. Decision

The deadline to apply for Undergraduate Study is 15th October. 

UCAS Application 

All candidates wishing to apply for an undergraduate place at Oxford must submit a UCAS application online. UCAS is the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, the central organisation that processes all applications for entry to higher education in the UK. Applications for entry close in the October before the year you wish to commence studying.

For further details about the application procedure, including how to choose a course and a college, please refer to the Undergraduate Admissions pages of the University website.

Shortlisting 

Candidates will normally be invited for interview (shortlisted) if they have met, or are predicted to meet, our standard offer of AAA at A Level with an A in Music (or equivalent). We will carefully consider additional circumstances such as access to music education, and educational disruption, in line with University procedures. 

Written Work/Performance

As part of your application, you will need to submit some written work and a recording of you performing. This will not be considered as part of shortlisting for interview. Please submit:

• Two pieces of teacher-marked written work, The emphasis is on quality of thought, not on quantity, so each of the two essays should be around 1500 words. It is fine to submit an excerpt from a longer piece such as an EP essay. The essays do not need to be on the topic of Music at all. We would hope that most applicants can use work that they have already produced at school/college rather than having to write something from scratch for this purpose. 
• One example of teacher-marked harmony and counterpoint (e.g. Baroque chorale, 16th century counterpoint, 2-part invention, string quartet, Romantic songs, jazz realisation). We understand that not all candidates will have the opportunity to study this formally in school or college. We ask simply that you try and attempt an example. You may ask your school or instrumental teacher to help you find one, or use the one provided, with accompanying guidance, here: Faculty of Music – Chorale harmonisation instructions. and Faculty of Music - jazz leadsheet instructions.
• One or two short examples of original composition, which should be in some form of notated score in addition to a sound file/recording. This is not compulsory.

All written work should be clearly titled and labelled with your name and must include the University cover sheet which can be found here.

Please send your work to the admissions team of your first-choice college. If you have submitted an open application, please send your work directly to the Faculty of Music. You can submit digital or hard copies, though digital copies via email are preferred. If sending digital copies, please ensure the files are clearly labelled with your name.

In addition to the written work, please provide a 5-minute continuous video recording of a musical performance on your chosen instrument or voice.  This can be of any genre or instrument that you feel best shows your musicianship, style and interests. Videos can be made on any device including mobile phones (file type .mov or .mp4). You will not be assessed on the quality of the recording. Please upload the video (file type .mov or .mp4) and a scan of the sheet music (.jpg or .pdf) to a shareable drive (for example, Google Drive) and submit this via this link. 

The deadline to submit the written work and performance video is November 5th. 

Applicants for Music are not required to register for a test. There is no written test for Music.

Interviews

The majority of Music applicants are interviewed over two or three days in December. Since the pandemic, interviews are no longer conducted in person and all interviews continue to be conducted online. Every Music candidate has a minimum of two interviews with two different colleges. This gives every candidate more than one opportunity to talk about their interest in Music and why they want to study at Oxford.
The interview process all might sound rather daunting, but it should not put you off.  Most people who are invited to interview – whether or not they are offered a place – say how much they enjoyed the experience. We try to make it as comfortable for you as we can.

Interviewing tutors will consider:
•    Knowledge acquired through a current or completed A Level Music course (or equivalent);
•    Powers of reasoning: ability to reason and think critically;
•    Communication: ability to engage in debate and use appropriate terminology;
•    Potential to engage with the undergraduate course.

After the initial interviews, you may be invited for a third, panel interview with tutors. You will be given plenty of notice if this is the case during the Admissions period. Following the interviews, all tutors will meet and carefully consider every application based on:
•    UCAS application (personal statement and reference)
•    Results in GCSE or equivalent examinations
•    Actual or predicted results at A Level or equivalent
•    Submitted written work 
•    Interview

You will be informed as to whether you have been offered a place in January.
If you have further questions, you can look at our frequently asked questions on how to apply, or contact the Academic Administrator: academic.admin@music.ox.ac.uk

One of the things you might wish to do as part of your application is to choose a college. Colleges serve as your ‘home’: you’ll live, eat, and socialise in them, and you’ll probably also receive a large part of your teaching there.

23 colleges offer undergraduate music courses; they have much in common, but also differ in terms of age, size, location, and the facilities they offer. If you don’t have a preference, you can put in an open application and we will assign a college for you. Whichever college you end up at, you’ll be studying for the same degree as all the music students in your year, there is no "best college", so the choice is really down to personal preference.

The 23 Oxford colleges offering music are:

The next University of Oxford Open Day in 2026 is on 18 September. On these days, all faculties, departments and colleges will be open to explore across the city. 

This is a great chance for future applicants to meet our staff, students, learn about our new building and facilities, and ask any questions they might have. Whether you've already decided to apply for a BA Music, are on the fence, or are simply curious about music at Oxford more broadly, please do come along!

There is no need to sign up or register to attend the Open Days. For full information about the University Open Days, please see the University Open Day page.

Q1   Where can I get a prospectus?
The University prospectus, which is revised every year, can be found on-line at: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying/prospectus-overview 

Q2    Does it matter what other A Level subjects I am doing, besides Music?
The Faculty of Music has no preferences regarding choice of A Level subjects, other than Music. However Extended Projects, General Studies or Critical Thinking qualifications cannot be part of the standard offer of 3 A grades at A level.

Q3   Must I have taken AS Music to apply to Oxford?
No, although you must be pursuing (or have already taken) one of the four options below:

A-Level Music plus two other A-level subjects or the equivalent (e.g. International Baccalaureate)

If your school does not offer A-level Music: Grade 7 or above Music Theory (ABRSM), plus three other A-Level subjects

If your school does not offer A-levels, you will need to take equivalent qualifications (including in Music); the University Admissions pages specify the standard you will need to attain.

Q4    Must I have A* grades at GCSE to be considered for Oxford?

Grades at GCSE are seen as an indication of likely potential at A level, but a certain number or proportion of A*s are not required.

Q5    I am a UK citizen, but instead of A Level’s I am doing the International Baccalaureate.  What is the minimum points level I need in order to apply?
You will need to have a total of at least 38 points (including core points), with  6 6 6 at Higher Level including in Music.

Q6    How can I find out the educational requirements for EU and overseas students?
 See the University’s International Qualifications list.

Q7   Is it true that you have to be at ABRSM Grade 8 standard as an instrumentalist or a singer to be considered for Music at Oxford?
No. Solo performance is an optional subject, both at Prelims (first-year exams) and at Finals. For application to Oxford, no performance or keyboard skills are required. Many fine performers do study at Oxford and are able to incorporate performance as a significant element of their course but this is not an conservatoire. Candidates are encouraged to increase their proficiency on the piano/keyboard if offered a place, but it is not a factor for basing decisions on offers. 

Q8  To what extent can I offer performance as part of my degree?
Up to 37.5% of your final degree can be performance-based.  The majority of first-year students offer performance as an option in Prelims (first-year examinations). There are other Finals options besides Solo Performance which involve elements of performance and performance studies, such as Choral Performance, Choral Conducting and Chamber Music. It is therefore possible for performance to form a major part of an Oxford degree; it is equally possible to take Prelims and Finals without performing at all!

Q9  Who are the instrumental and vocal teachers on the Faculty staff?
Students are free to choose their own teacher.  They do not have to be based at Oxford. For example, you could choose to stay with a previous teacher. There are no instrumental teachers employed directly by the Faculty; however, the Faculty does keep a list of recommended local teachers.

Q10  What are instrumental awards? When do I apply for one?
Many colleges offer scholarships to students who excel in performance. Students audition for these after entry to Oxford. They are not organized by the Faculty of Music itself.  See the section on Other Music Awards.

Q11  Do you have to be studying Music to receive a choral or organ award?
No.  Applications for choral and organ awards are welcomed from applicants reading all subjects, although there may be restrictions placed by individual colleges on selected subjects.  Find out more about these awards on the Choral and Organ Awards page and do attend the Choral and Organ Award Open Day. You are not more likely to get a place to study at Oxford if you are offered a choral or organ scholarship. 

Q12  What scholarships are available at the Faculty of Music?
There are no full fee scholarships available.

Q13  I cannot come to the Faculty open days. Is it possible to visit at any other time?
The Faculty and University open days offer a unique opportunity to meet with tutors at all the colleges admitting students to read Music, but much information can also be obtained online if you cannot attend an Open Day.

Q14  Do you run summer schools?
The Faculty of Music participates in the University’s UNIQ Summer School, which offers an academic programme in Music to sixth-formers each July. Find out more about UNIQ.

Q15 I find the college system confusing. Can you explain what this means for a music student?
The collegiate system can seem baffling to prospective students, but it is one of Oxford’s great strengths. The colleges are more than halls of residence: they are communities of academics, graduate students and undergraduates who interact with one another across subject areas to create the exciting environment which young musicians find so stimulating.  It is important to realise, however, that each college is not a sealed unit. An undergraduate is part of a close-knit tutor group under the academic supervision and pastoral care of a college tutor, and has the opportunity to participate in the musical life (instrumental and choral) of their college; at the same time our students are part of the University-wide musical community centred on the Faculty of Music. For teaching, all tutorials happen within your own college, and all students from all colleges come together for their central teaching and lectures at the Faculty of Music. 

Q16  Will my choice of college affect my chances of gaining a place?
No. Although initial application is made to a college, the admissions process is centrally organised by the Faculty in order to identify the very best applicants. Tutors consider candidates as a group and exchange detailed information to ensure that the most able candidates are selected, regardless of the initial college preference. It is quite common for an applicant to be made an offer by a college which was not their first choice.

Q17  How is the teaching divided between the Faculty and the colleges?

Teaching is delivered through Faculty lecture courses, when students from all colleges meet for lectures, and seminars. This is supported by small-group tutorials in colleges when individual feedback and discussion of weekly assignments provide the stimulus for sustained academic development.

Q18  Is there such a thing as a ‘typical’ Oxford music student?
Not at all. Oxford admits between 65 and 80 undergraduates each year to read music. Students come from a wide range of backgrounds and from various countries, and are admitted entirely on merit.

Q19  Do I have to play the piano in order to get a place. 

No, although it is recommended that you can play at a standard of grade V in order to best support your learning in your degree, many students can’t play the piano upon starting with us and develop these skills during their studies. Your ability to play the piano should not put you off from applying.