The BA Music (combined degree) programme is a unique opportunity to study the musical traditions of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and their global diasporas. Students are taught the basic principles of ethnomusicology and survey a variety of Asian and African musics. In years 2 and 3 they are encouraged to focus on the music of specific regions and to consider cross-regional themes. Performance is a central component of the degree. Students have the opportunity to develop expertise in a great variety of musical performance traditions.
This two-subject degree allows more scope for studying language or other non-musical aspects of particular cultures.
Some two-subject programmes are completed in three years while others take four years and include a year abroad. The single-subject degree allows greater concentration on music, including Western music and Performance.
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
BTEC: DDM
Access to HE: Minimum of 30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction
Scottish Highers: AAABB
Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB
Irish LC: 340 points from 5 Higher level subjects at grade C1 or above
Advanced Placement: 4 4 5 (Two semesters - UCAS Group A) plus US HSGD with GPA 3.0
Euro Bacc: 80%
French Bacc: 14/20
German Abitur: 2.0
Italy DES: 80/100
Austria Mat: 2.0
Polish Mat: Overall 75% including 3 extended level subjects
Dr Richard Williams Convenor
Please see the Unistats data for the various combinations of this programme under the Combinations tab.
+ 4-year degree with (compulsory) one year abroad
++ 3 or 4-year degree with option of one year abroad
Click on a combined programme to load KIS data
First-year modules cover the basic principles of ethnomusicology and survey a variety of Asian and African musics. Students additionally receive aural training (eg, in transcription) and follow lessons in one or more Asian or African performance traditions. The Department is linked with nearby King’s College, University of London. Qualified SOAS students may take 15 or 30 credits modules in Western music at King’s, and King’s students may take modules in ethnomusicology at SOAS, subject to approval from the appropriate tutors.
In years 2 and 3, the student will usually focus on the music culture of a selected area or areas: Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Jewish music. They may also choose from the general and performance modules on offer.
Occasionally the availability of optional modules changes as a result of staffing and other circumstances. Students who had signed up for such modules will be notified as soon as possible and given the opportunity to choose from available alternatives.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sounds and Cultures | 155800071 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Writing Across the Arts | 158100012 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Performance 1 | 155800062 | 15 | Full Year |
| Decolonising Pop: K-Pop and Beyond | 155800089 | 15 | Term 2 |
Students take 60 credits from second subject
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethnomusicology: Themes and Variations | 155800065 | 15 | Term 1 |
Choose a module(s) from the List of Area Modules below to the value of 15 credits
Choose related Language or Non-Language open option modules to the value of 30 credits
Choose a module(s) from the List of Modules below to the value of 30 credits
From list of Music modules at King's College London at 30 credits
Students take 60 credits from second subject
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Soundscapes | 155800083 | 15 | Term 2 |
Choose a module(s) from the List of Area Modules below to the value of 15 credits
Choose related Language or Non-Language open option modules to the value of 30 credits
Choose a module(s) from the List of Modules below to the value of 30 credits
From list of Music modules at King's College London at 30 credits
Students take 60 credits from second subject
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Song, Voice, and Body in Indian Music | 155800093 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Sound, Text, and Image in South Asian Arts | 158100005 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Music and travel on the Silk Road | 158100006 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Music in Africa: Critical Listening - The Mande World | 155800096 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Music in Africa: Musical crosscurrents in East Africa and the Indian Ocean | 158100007 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Music, Religion and Society in the Middle East and North Africa | 155800092 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Music and Sound Art in South Asian Religions | 155800086 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Music and Religion in South East Asia | 155800080 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Musical Traditions of East Asia | 155800078 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Pop and Politics in East Asia | 155800077 | 15 | Term 1 |
| The World of Cuban Music | 155800058 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Music of the Jews of Arab Lands | 155800074 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Music, Healing and Pilgrimage in Morocco | 155800097 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts, Culture and Commodification: Themes in the Global Creative and Cultural Industries | 158100001 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Creative Practice | 155800082 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Key Concepts in Cultural Theory | 158100002 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Curating Global Arts | 158100004 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Gender and Music | 155800073 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Global Hip-Hop | 155800084 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Introduction to Sound Recording | 155800069 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Presenting World Music On Radio | 155800076 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance 2 | 155800042 | 15 | Full Year |
| Performance 3 | 155800045 | 30 | Full Year |
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
The Department of Music has been highly rated for teaching and research in all recent assessment exercises, and is regularly ranked amongst the top Music departments in the UK in Good University Guides.
Music students have access to the large Main Library of the School which holds numerous books, journals and recordings relevant to the study of ethnomusicology and world music, as well as the nearby British Library Sound Archive and other London libraries and museums.
The SOAS Library holds copies of standard reference works on music, such as the current edition of the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. The Grove dictionary and the RILM database can also be accessed on line from computer terminals in the Library or elsewhere on the SOAS network. Listening facilities are provided in the Library, and most CDs are available on short loan. Among special items in the Department’s collections are:
All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, in modules of 30 or 15 credits. They are taught over 10 or 20 weeks. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study (see Approaches to teaching and learning at SOAS). It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. In the School of Arts, most undergraduate modules have a one- or two-hour lecture or seminar every week. Some, but not all, also have a 1-hour seminar or tutorial every week.
More information is on the page for each module.
If you are studying a language as part of your combined honours degree, you will usually study for 4 years, with year 3 spent abroad.
Marina Di GiorgiSOAS is a great place to study Ethnomusicology. It has the flavour of the world spread through the music made by the students, lecturers and guests.
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS.