11 West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DP, UK

Undergraduate program

Bachelor of Arts - Music Tripos. Three years. Studies may include performance, music history topics, analysis, composition, theory, aural skills, early music notation, keyboard skills, analysis, editing, ethnomusicology or other specialised music topics. Bachelor of Arts - Education Studies Tripos. Music may be taken as a teaching subject

Graduate programs

Master of Philosophy. In composition, music studies. Doctor of Philosophy.

Founded in 1209 this is one of the oldest and most famous university music departments in the world. It is a Collegiate university comprising 31 colleges where students live, eat and socialise and where students receive small group teaching sessions. Each college is an independent institution with its own property and income. The colleges appoint their own staff and are responsible for selecting students in accordance with University regulations. The teaching of students is shared between the Colleges and University departments and degrees are awarded by the University. The University of Cambridge music department is at the forefront of music research. Candidates for entry should demonstrate keen aural perception, ability to work written musical exercises, a command of English, facility in playing and sight-reading at the keyboard and acquaintance with the standard musical repertory. Some familiarity with one or more of German, French, Italian or Latin is desirable. Performance tuition is not offered at the Music School, but almost all colleges provide funds to subsidise instrumental lessons if a student opts for the performance options. The Faculty of Music hosts the Cambridge Centre for Musical Performance Studies (CMPS) which brings together academic study and practical music-making and also houses the Centre for Music and Science (CMS). Music students are involved with community music activities in local hospitals, schools and the elderly. There is a Collegium Musicum which is involved with performance on early instruments, as well as a New Music Ensemble. In the library is an extensive holding of early editions, some pre-1501, and 16th and early 17th century part-books. It also holds a number of archives of British 20th century composers, including Arthur Bliss. There is a large collection of historical instruments, and the Department of Ethnomusicology has a small collection of Indonesian instruments, including a gamelan, as well as recordings of African and Asian traditional music. It organises workshops and concerts of traditional music. The Centre for Music and Science has a purpose-built recording studio and computing centre. It specialises in music cognition and research linking the field of music with psychology, acoustics, computer science and neuroscience. Resident at the Faculty are the Endellioin String Quartet, the Britten Sinfonia, the Academy of Ancient Music, a Handel Opera Group and the chapel choirs of various colleges.

September 2022