The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's ancient universities. The university has a long and rich history, and has produced many notable alumni in a variety of fields, including science, literature, and politics. Today, the University of Edinburgh is a leading research-intensive university, with a global reputation for academic excellence and a strong commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world.

Year 1
You will take three compulsory courses:

Topics in Popular Music
Thinking about Music
Creative Musicianship
Topics in Popular Music
This course introduces various themes and theoretical frameworks for the study of popular music.

Using American popular music of the late 19th and 20th centuries as a case study you will consider a range of issues including:

technology
genre
race
gender
capitalism
colonialism
Thinking about Music
This course focuses on music as an aesthetic and cultural phenomenon.

You will:

develop your critical and analytical skills
be introduced to some of the key issues in contemporary and historical thought concerning a broad spectrum of music
Creative Musicianship
This course will develop your creative practical and listening skills.

You will take an integrated approach to studying the different facets of musicianship including:

written and aural analysis
composition
performance
Other courses
If you have not studied music theory at a high level before (A at A level or Advanced Higher) you will also take Fundamentals of Music Theory. This is an intensive music literacy course.

You can also choose from music options such as:

Introduction to Musical Instruments
Music Psychology
Musical Acoustics
Sound Recording
If you have achieved Grade 8 standard or equivalent on your first instrument by the time you start the programme you can also take Performance (see Additional Requirements Music Requirements).

Any of these option courses can be replaced with courses from outside music (up to 60 credits).

Year 2
You will study Music and Ideas from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Music history courses explore contexts of western classical music including:

aesthetic
social
political
cultural contexts
You will develop your musicianship skills by taking one or both Musical Analysis courses. This provides a grounding in the analysis and compositional techniques of 18th and 19th-century music.

You will also study Sound Recording which introduces you to:

microphone techniques
room acoustics
field recording
production
Option courses
All students can take Composition and Creative Music Technology.

If you studied Performance in Year 1 you can continue with Performance in Year 2.

You can also choose up to 60 credits from subjects outside of music.

Year 3
You will have the freedom to choose from a range of courses including:

acoustics
composition
screen music
music analysis
music in the community
performance
music psychology
music technology
popular music studies
Other examples include courses in:

sound design
options in Scottish traditional music
music history
All honours teaching is research-led and reflects the expertise and interests of individual lecturers.

You may also take a Research Methods in Music a course which provides training in many aspects of music research.

You can also choose up to 40 credits in subjects outside of music.

Year 4
You will:

select courses that build on your choices in Year 3
choose up to 40 credits in subjects outside of music
You will also complete at least one of the following:

40-minute recital
portfolio of compositions
creative practice music project
dissertation
edition

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class research-intensive university that has been shaping the minds of students for over four centuries. Founded in 1583, it is one of Scotland's ancient universities and the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university is located in the beautiful and historic city of Edinburgh, which is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and lively atmosphere.

The University of Edinburgh offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, including arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, medicine, business, and law. The university has a strong reputation for academic excellence, and its graduates are known for their high level of education and employability. The university is home to some of the world's most respected research centers and institutes, including the Edinburgh College of Art, the Royal Observatory, and the Human Communication Research Centre.

Throughout its history, the University of Edinburgh has produced many notable alumni, including economist Adam Smith, philosopher David Hume, and Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland's most famous writers. The university has also produced seven Nobel Prize winners, including Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, and Peter Higgs, who proposed the Higgs boson particle.

The University of Edinburgh is also known for its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. It is home to several leading research centers and institutes that specialize in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and sustainable energy. The university also has a strong emphasis on student engagement, and it encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs and societies, and volunteer work.

The University of Edinburgh is a diverse and inclusive community, with students and staff from all over the world. The university provides students with a supportive and challenging environment, where they can develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields. The University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world, making it an excellent choice for students who are looking for a high-quality education and a great student experience.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it