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An image to illustrate BA (Honours) Music
Through this degree, you will explore how music is created and expressed across diverse genres, including Western art, jazz, popular and non-Western traditions. You will develop technical expertise in analysing and composing music, alongside critical skills to discuss its cultural meanings. The course supports practical growth in performance, collaboration and technology, including recording and production. Travelling through three stages of study, you will engage with research-informed materials and partnered teaching, for example, at Trinity Laban, for grounded musical practice. By completing this BA, you will not only earn a respected qualification but also cultivate a passionate, lifelong engagement with music.
We also offer a Diploma of Higher Education in Music that is the same in structure as the first two-thirds of this degree.
This music degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
In Stage 1, you'll encounter a variety of musicians and musical works and practices alongside fascinating insights from across the arts and humanities. This broad foundation will help you develop the academic skills and confidence necessary for studying music at Stages 2 and 3.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)60Feb | Oct
Revolutions (A113)60Feb | Oct

At Stage 2, you'll engage closely with musical materials in audio and notated forms and use your study of these as the basis for creating your own music with the help of specialist computer software.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Understanding music (A234)60Oct
Music, sound and technology (A232)60Oct

At Stage 3, you'll study music in a broad range of cultural and historical contexts, as well as developing critical and reflective skills to apply to your practice as a musician.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Music in context (A346) – planned for October 2027
60Oct
Creative music making (CTLU302)*
60Sept
*This module is offered in collaboration with the Trinity Laban. For further information, see the Trinity Laban website and our Collaborative schemes website. Note, you will not be able to study both modules within the same academic year if you fund your study with a Student Loan. See How long it takes for the minimum time it will take to complete this qualification.

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by experienced tutors, multimedia learning materials, tutorials, and a collaborative module with Trinity Laban for hands-on experience.
You’ll be awarded a BA (Honours) Music upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3. 
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
Most of our students study part-time, completing 60 credits a year.

This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.

If you wish to study at a pace equivalent to full-time, it will take you a minimum of:
This is because the Student Loans provider will not provide a loan for two Higher Education Institutions in the same Academic Year, as required within Stage 3 of this qualification.
You have a maximum of 16 years to complete it.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
One of the modules, Creative music making (CTLU302), includes a residential learning week at Trinity Laban in London. During the week, you’ll work intensively with Trinity Laban staff and fellow students in workshops, ensembles, and rehearsals, with opportunities to perform and collaborate across genres.
The focus is on developing creative and collaborative skills rather than technical performance. You’ll explore improvisation, composition, and ensemble work, and reflect on your learning through a journal and project work.
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
Before starting Stage 2 of this degree, it would be useful to have some knowledge of music theory equivalent to ABRSM Grade 3 level, as the modules begin at a basic level and quickly progress to more advanced musical concepts and techniques.
If you have not yet learned music theory or notation, we recommend studying the OU’s free online course, Introduction to music theory. When studying the Stage 3 module Creative music making (offered by our partner institution Trinity Laban), you are expected to be actively involved in some form of practical collaborative music making for the duration of that module. You will also be required to attend a residential learning week at Trinity Laban in Greenwich, London. Students at any level of practical musical skill are welcome to take the module.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

6 years
£4,088*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying one 60-credit module per year for 6 years.
£25,010*
This qualification also includes a higher-cost 60-credit module offered in collaboration with Trinity Laban (CTLU302 – £4,570*). The additional cost of this module has been included in the total fee.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Please note: if you intend to use a Tuition Fee Loan to pay for your course, you can't study and fund an OU module and the Trinity Laban module (CTLU302) in the same funding year. This is because the loan can only be used to fund one provider at a time.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
Studying music will provide you with an adaptable set of skills that can lead in many directions and which are greatly valued by employers. Broadly summarised, these are critical thinking, analysis, collaborative working, communication, and expertise in working with abstract structures and processes. You will sharpen your IT, writing, and independent thinking skills, and develop an ability to assimilate and evaluate relevant information when constructing an argument. These are key skills in complex organisations, and are highly sought after in the world beyond study – whether you’re already working, volunteering, or changing career.
Studying the arts and humanities requires an understanding of human activities in diverse cultural environments and historical contexts. The breadth of study and range of musical repertoire and practice explored, combined with clear thinking and communication, make the BA (Hons) Music relevant to a wide range of careers, including:
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector.
You can start exploring some areas of our Careers and Employability Services now. Once you register with us, you’ll have full access to the services throughout your studies and for up to three years after you finish.
As a registered student or recent graduate, you can use online tools, resources, workshops, events and one-to-one guidance from careers professionals to explore your options, set goals, find opportunities, prepare applications, build your CV and practise your interview techniques. Whether you’re planning your first career move, changing direction or developing in your current role, you’ll find support to help you move forward with confidence.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:
Credit transfer: apply by 03/12/2026
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
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Credit transfer: apply by 03/12/2026
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