English and Music BA

Course overview

English and Music is a diverse degree that allows you to engage with a variety of literature and music spanning a broad range of periods, cultures and themes. The combination of these two subject areas will allow you to develop advanced academic skills including critical analysis, interpretation and research. You'll also have the chance to enhance practical skills in music composition, performance and creative writing.

You'll study a wide variety of texts, both fiction and non-fiction, developing an understanding of the relationships between meaning, interpretation and language. You will also have the opportunity to focus on a combination of music theory, performance and composition.

Our impressive range of academic expertise means that you have the opportunity to choose from a variety of optional modules, tailoring your degree to suit your interests and career aspirations. You could study historical literature from Medieval to Victorian, influential writers from Shakespeare to Jane Austen, or explore language in the context of power or gender. In music, you could choose to explore music technology or psychology or develop teaching skills with our Students into Schools module.

Course details

A joint honours degree allows you to split your time equally between two subjects, advancing your knowledge and skills in both areas. You’ll spend your first year developing your academic writing skills and learning the foundations of English studies. In Music, you’ll choose from optional modules covering the role of music in history and culture, composition, theory, research skills, performance or the sciences of music.

Once you’ve established a good knowledge base, you’ll deepen your understanding over the next two years. In English, you’ll take core modules focusing on literature in your choice of time periods and choose from a wide range of optional modules, from medieval Icelandic literature to creative writing and post-Apartheid narratives.

At the same time, you’ll choose from modules covering topics like editing and source studies, aesthetics or music psychology, or you can choose to focus on composition or performance. Our world-leading research staff offer specialist topics in Music in Context modules, or you can experiment with Music in Practice.

You’ll complete an independent research project in your final year, to demonstrate the research, critical and analytical skills you’ve developed.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read English and Music BA in the course catalogue

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We also use different types of assessment. Written exams and essays are likely to be part of the mix, but coursework, project and composition portfolios, oral presentations, recitals and performances will also be included in some modules.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB including A in English (Language, Literature or Language and Literature) and B in Music.

Other course specific tests:

Normally students will have taken Music, but if you have not (especially if it isn’t taught at your school or college), you should have at least one essay-based subject, as well as a minimum ABRSM Grade 5 music theory and Grade 8 practical qualifications.

If you have taken Music, practical grades are not a requirement for this programme. However, if you want to study performance, you’ll need a minimum of ABRSM, Trinity Guildhall or Rockschool Grade 8 merit/grade 7 distinction (or demonstrate that you are of equivalent standard by the time you arrive in Leeds).

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be ABB at A Level including A in English and B Music and grade A in the EPQ.

Alternative qualification

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB at A Level including English and Music and pass Access to Leeds.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £22,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2022/23
For UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 the fee will be £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students for 2023/24 have been agreed by the UK Government and will remain at the current fee level of £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 should be available on individual course pages from September 2022.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

This course is taught by

School of English
School of Music

Contact us

School of English Undergraduate Admissions

Email: undergrad-english@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

A degree in English and Music equips you with a diverse range of skills that are valued by employers.

As well as your subject-specific knowledge and performance and composition abilities, you’ll have strong research, critical and analytical skills, and you’ll be able to work independently or in a team. You’ll also have the organisation and time management skills that go with handling two different subjects.

Graduates have gone into careers both within and outside of music and the arts. They’ve gone into areas like performance, composition, journalism, advertising and marketing, publishing, education and law. Many others have gone onto postgraduate study or further training.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

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