Integrated Degree
Music (including Foundation Year)
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Why choose the Integrated Degree in Music
This is a four-year degree including a one-year foundation programme. The foundation year allows you to develop key musical skills and experience to prepare you for university life and to continue with our BMus Music.
- This programme gives you the chance to gain key practical and theoretical skills and experience across music theory, performance, technology, composition and musico-cultural theory.
- You'll receive guidance in study skills topics such as critical thinking, researching and writing and inducts you into various musical and institutional facilities and services, from music studios to Wellbeing and Careers teams.
- Upon successful completion of the Foundation year, you gain automatic entry into our BMus Music degree and/or an internal audition for our BMus Popular Music programme.
- The foundation year programme gives you an opportunity to make music with students from across different degree programmes in a lively and vibrant departmental community. This community features everything from orchestral, jazz and pop ensembles to gamelan, mbira and improvising groups.
- You'll also have the opportunity to perform at open mics, student-run showcase and PureGold, our annual music festival that celebrates music created and performed at Goldsmiths.
- You'll be within easy reach of South East London's many venues during your time with us, as well as those across the capital, which provide a connection to music, art, dance, and theatre with an international focus, but also to local promoters, labels and the London-based music industry.
- Goldsmiths has strong links with the music industry, employing professional musicians, producers, and artists as guest speakers and as lecturers.
- We also present frequent, high-profile speakers from the music industry at our talks and events. Recently, these have included Dave Okumu, Nigel Godrich, Darkstar, Mica Levi, Matana Roberts, and Arts Council Music Relationship Managers.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Naomi Matsumoto.
UCAS code
W310
Length
1 year full-time (Foundation) followed by 3 years full-time (undergraduate degree)
Department
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What you'll study
On this foundation year, you will study the following compulsory modules.
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Musicology | 15 credits |
| Foundation for Composition | 15 credits |
| Foundation for Performance | 15 credits |
| Foundation for Music Studies | 15 credits |
| Building Your Research World | 30 credits |
| Reading and Writing Your World | 30 credits |
Option modules will become available to you should you decide to proceed onto either the BMus Music or BMus Popular Music on successful completion of your foundation year.
Overview
You'll study four core music modules going across music performance, music theory, composition (including music technology) and basic musicology. You'll also study two broad-based modules embedded in our music studios, the library and London cultural life in general.
Practical and subject-related skills are developed through class-based tasks, either individually or in groups, (including analytic, listening-based, or discursive exercises), or by setting up and reviewing follow-up tasks undertaken outside of class through workshops where you are given the opportunity to offer peer feedback.
Teaching style
The programme is delivered through small-group lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials, workshops, and individual lessons.
You will also have an assigned one-to-one instrumental or vocal tutor, and a personal tutor who will guide your study. This mix of practical and academic support is designed to help you make the leap into higher education with confidence.
Entry requirements
We would normally expect applicants to have some level 3 study equivalent to grade C at A-level or PP in a BTEC Diploma. However, we will also consider experience of playing a musical instrument or other music-related experience. Offers will be made specific to your educational background and experience.
Our admissions tutors' decisions will sometimes be made on the basis of the application form alone. However, we are mindful that not all applicants will have studied music formally, and not all will have been presented with opportunities to evidence their commitment to music.
In these cases, we may be in touch to ask for further information to help us understand and assess your musical development to date. If we do contact you at this stage, we will give clear guidance on what we would like you to do: you will be invited either to submit a simple video recording of performance and/or documentation of composition work, or to attend a short and informal online interview with a member of the music team. Our aim is to make sure the programme is right for you.
If you receive an offer, you will be invited to an on-campus applicant day. There, you will be able to meet our team and current students, and take part in some taster sessions so you can experience what it’s like to study with us.
Alternative qualifications
See our full list of entry qualifications.
We welcome students with a range of educational experiences. If you believe you may not meet the standard qualification requirements we would still encourage you to apply because we consider all aspects of your application when making a decision.
We’ll pay particularly careful attention to your personal statement, which is your opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the subject you’ve applied for. Your referees are also welcome to include any relevant contextual comments around your academic achievements. We’ll look at all these things when making a decision on your application, as well as your qualifications and grades.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the UG fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £TBC
- International - full-time: £TBC
If your fees are not listed here, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time if you require a Student Visa, however this is currently being reviewed and will be confirmed in the new year. Please read our visa guidance in the interim for more information. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.
Funding opportunities
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, and our careers service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies. Find out more about funding your studies with us.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
Facilities
As a Foundation student, you will have full access to the Goldsmiths Music Studio (pictured) and Electronic Music Studios, receiving inductions and booking rights at both studios free of charge.
You will also be able to make use of our extensive rehearsal room and tech facilities in the main Goldsmiths building.
All modules make use of the College VLE as a repository for essential module information, and all students receive training in music technology, including knowledge of music software. There are dedicated computer rooms for self-directed learning.
Staff
You'll learn from expert academics across the Department of Music and the Centre for Academic Language and Literacies.
The following staff teach on this programme:
