For more information contact:
Access Officer,
Cambridge University Students' Union
Old Examination Hall
Free School Lane
Cambridge CB2 3RF
Telephone: 01223 333313
Fax: 01223 333179
E-mail: access@cusu.cam.ac.uk
Music
The degree course at Cambridge is incredibly diverse, and will give you the opportunity to study a range of different aspects of music: history, theory, composition, analytical skills, performance, ethnomusicology and many more. Although you can’t choose what you study in your first year, there is increasing freedom in later years to choose the courses that suit you best. The option of doing a dissertation even allows you to research any aspect of music that interests you.
Ed Bell
Selwyn
3rd Year
Wakefield
It is important to be aware, however, that the course is very academic, and in this respect unlike similarly-titled degrees at other universities. Performance isn’t available until the third year, and even then it represents only a small proportion of your degree if you take it as an option. Many undergraduates who are inclined towards performance arrive in Cambridge to be disappointed by the academic nature of the course. Equally though, if you’d rather perform more for your enjoyment and are passionate about the more theoretical and academic aspects of music, the course is ideal.
“ The opportunities to get involved in music-making are some of the best in the country. ”
Nevertheless, the opportunities to get involved in music-making are some of the best in the country, whatever you are studying. Cambridge is full of ensembles at both College and University level, so you can get involved in practically whatever type of music takes your fancy – orchestral, jazz, musical theatre and gamelan to name but a few. Many undergraduates go on to study performance after their degree, and are all the better prepared to do so, having a solid understanding of how music works.
The first-year course is particularly varied, and everybody studies at least one subject they know little about. There are courses in Harmony and Counterpoint and Analytical Techniques, and history courses cover Plainchant, Renaissance Polyphony and the History of Opera too (though these change a little each year). You will also spend time improving Aural and Keyboard skills. Many people do find the first year difficult, which is simply because you don’t choose what you study, but often go on to do much better in their second and third years.
Best thing? Being a central part of the incredible Cambridge music scene
Music students, like many others studying arts subjects, tend to have less contact time than their scientifically-inclined friends. Despite what such types will let you believe, that does not mean musicians do less work, but it does mean much of your time is free, so being self motivated and well organised is helpful. You can expect to have around ten to fourteen hours’ contact time each week, but plenty of work to prepare for supervisions and significant commitments to your social life making music. Before you apply, it is important to decide how much you value performance, and if academic music really isn’t your thing, you could consider applying to do another course –students doing another subject are often even keener to make the most of getting involved.
Worst thing? Having to wait before you can choose courses that most interest you