Course information

Entry requirements

UCAS code

W310

Length

1 year full-time (Foundation) followed by 3 years full-time (undergraduate degree)

Department

Music

Course overview

This one-year foundation allows you to develop key musical skills and experience to prepare you for university life and to study on our BMus Music programme.

Why study Integrated Degree in Music at Goldsmiths

Do you want to study music at university but lack formal training or experience? 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 interview for our BMus Popular Music programme.

Make music in a vibrant London community

The Foundation 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.

Prepare yourself to study at university with a lively mix of modules and dedicated support

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. You will also have an assigned one-to-one instrumental or vocal tutor, and a personal tutor who will guide your study throughout the programme. This mix of practical and academic support is designed to help you make the leap into higher education with confidence.

Employment and industry links

The Goldsmiths Music Department 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.

Beyond music, you’ll get a strong grounding in skills that are important to the world of work. Employers look for initiative-driven people who think critically about their actions, work well with others and adapt quickly and creatively to new ideas; all of these skills are developed as part of this wide-ranging Foundation.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Naomi Matsumoto.

Watch videos about your course

What you'll study

Note about optional modules (if available): The below is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.

On this foundation year, you will study the following compulsory modules. 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.

Module title Credits
Introduction to Musicology 15 credits
Foundation for Composition 15 credits
Foundation for Performance 15 credits
Foundation for Music Studies 15 credits
Academic, Professional and Study Skills 30 credits
Collaborative Research 30 credits

Credits and levels of learning

An undergraduate honours degree is made up of 360 credits – 120 at Level 4, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 6. If you are a full-time student, you will usually take Level 4 modules in the first year, Level 5 in the second, and Level 6 modules in your final year. A standard module is worth 30 credits. Some programmes also contain 15-credit half modules or can be made up of higher-value parts, such as a dissertation or a Major Project.

Download the programme specification.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

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.

Admission is by interview and/or by submission of a portfolio. The portfolio should include videos of two or three musical performance pieces, and where possible, a recording or written short piece of original music.

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.

Alternative qualifications

See our full list of undergraduate entry qualifications.

Fees & funding

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

From August 2021 EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for 'Home' fee status. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will be classified as 'International' for fee purposes, more information can be found on our fees page.

  • Home - full-time: £9250
  • International - full-time: £20160

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 under a student visa. 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.

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.

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.

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:

Facilities

As a Foundation student, you will have full access to the Goldsmiths Music Studio 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.