Music and English Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Course Overview - Music and English Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
This Joint Honours course combines the practical and theoretical study of Music with the study of English literature.
Studying Music at Royal Holloway allows you to tailor your studies to your own interests and passions.
We have expertise spanning traditional, modern and world music. Through studying musical texts, practices, cultures and institutions you will explore issues in history, sociology, ethnology, and philosophy covering an exceptional geographical and chronological range. You will also be able to gain practical skills in composition, music technology an...
This Joint Honours course combines the practical and theoretical study of Music with the study of English literature.
Studying Music at Royal Holloway allows you to tailor your studies to your own interests and passions.
We have expertise spanning traditional, modern and world music. Through studying musical texts, practices, cultures and institutions you will explore issues in history, sociology, ethnology, and philosophy covering an exceptional geographical and chronological range. You will also be able to gain practical skills in composition, music technology and performance.
You will join a music department that is among the very best in the country, ranked third in the UK for research quality (REF 2014) and the only music department in the country to hold a prestigious Regius Professorship.
From Beowulf to the Booker Prize, English offers you the opportunity to study the full historical range of literature in English as well as the latest developments in the field, and even to pursue your own creative writing.
You can discover the earliest works in English, deepen your knowledge of Shakespeare, find out what is great about Renaissance literature, darken your view of the 18th century, and unpack the Victorians. The course's structure allows you to develop a sound understanding of key periods, genres, authors, and ideas as well as choosing from a huge range of options. You can study Modernism, Postmodernism and American literature, explore literary criticism, develop your own creative writing, and analyse the latest developments in global literatures in English.
• An adaptable programme with a flexible core of modules.
• Creative opportunities abound – take modules in creative writing or composition.
• Enjoy creating ensembles with other musicians.
• A unique perspective – work at the intersection of music and the written word.
• Choral, organ, orchestral and music scholarships.
Course Information
1 option available
Some courses vary and have tailored teaching options, select a course option below.
Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
3 Years
Start Date
2027-09-20
Campus
Main Site
Application Details
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
A17-E76
Institution Code
R72
Points of Entry
Year 1
Entry Requirements
A level
A,B,B
B,B,B
Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required. Socio-economic factors which may have impacted an applicant’s education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants. Required: Music A-Level or Grade 7 in Music Theory with Pass plus Grade 7 Music Performance and A Level with B in an essay based subject. Applicants without A-level in Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory may be eligible for the Intensive Theory entry. This requires Music GCSE grade A/7 or equivalent, plus performance at Grade 7 level. In term 1 you will be required to take Fundamentals of Music Theory, an intensive music literacy course. Students wishing to take Solo Performance options will need to be of Grade 8 level in performance at point of entry. In some cases, a theory test may need to be completed and performance sample provided upon request in order to meet specific Music requirements
UCAS Tariff
Not accepted
Scottish Higher
AABBB including Music or Grade 7 Music Theory at pass plus Grade 7 Music performance and an B in essay based subject.
Access to HE Diploma
offer-distinction: 27.0
and the remaining level 3 credits at Merit. Distinction required in all level 3 English units, plus evidence of A-Level standard Music proficiency Grade B equivalent or Grade 7 Music Theory at Pass and Grade 7 Music performance.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
We require English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C).
Scottish Advanced Higher
A,B,B
B,B,B
Including Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory plus Grade 7 Practical and B in an essay based subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
in a relevant subject and A-Level B in an essay based subject and Grade 7 Music Theory plus Grade 7 Music performance
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
6,5,5 at Higher Level OR 32 points overall, including Music and HL 5 in an essay based subject If Music is not taken then Grade 7 Music Theory plus Grade 7 ABRSM Music performance is required.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
including distinctions in all essay units and Grade 7 Music Theory at Pass plus Grade 7 Music performance.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2,H2,H3,H3,H3 at Higher Level including Music or Grade 7 Music Theory at pass plus Grade 7 Music performance and H3 in an essay based subject at Higher Level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Plus A Level BB, including Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory, plus B in an essay based subject, plus Grade 7 Music Theory and Grade 7 Practical.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.
Search Undergraduate Courses at Royal Holloway, University of London
Find more courses from Royal Holloway, University of London with our undergraduate course search.
Upcoming Open Days at Royal Holloway, University of London
10
Oct, 2026
Royal Holloway, University of London10 Oct 2026
Undergraduate Open Day
14
Nov, 2026
Royal Holloway, University of London14 Nov 2026
Undergraduate Open Day
28
Nov, 2026
Fees and funding
| Region | Costs | Academic Year | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland, England, Channel Islands, Wales, Scotland | £10,050 | 2026/27 | Year 1 | |
| International, EU | £24,600 | 2026/27 | Year 1 |
Order Free Prospectuses
The ideal way to read about detailed course information is with a university prospectus. Request a FREE prospectus and learn more about this course today.