English and Music, BA, University of Leeds

Course content

A Joint Honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each Single Honours course, but you'll take fewer options and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.

You'll spend your first year developing your academic writing skills and studying texts from across poetry, drama or prose in English. In Music, you'll choose from optional modules covering the role of music in history and culture, composition, theory, research skills, performance or the sciences of music.

Once you've established a good knowledge base, you'll deepen your understanding over the next two years. In English, you'll take core modules focusing on literature in your choice of time periods and choose from a wide range of optional modules, from medieval Scandinavian literature to creative writing and post-Apartheid narratives.

At the same time, you'll choose from modules covering topics like editing and source studies, aesthetics or music psychology, or you can choose to focus on composition or performance. Our world-leading research staff offer specialist topics in Music in Context modules, or you can experiment with Music in Practice.

You'll complete a dissertation in your final year, to demonstrate the research, critical and analytical skills you've developed.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Entry requirements, fees and applying

  Entry requirements

  A-level: AAB including A in English and (minimum) B in Music, excluding General Studies or Critical Thinking.

  • Career opportunities

    A degree in English and Music equips you with a diverse range of skills that are valued by employers.

    As well as your subject-specific knowledge and performance and composition abilities, you'll have strong research, critical and analytical skills, and you'll be able to work independently or in a team. You'll also have the organisation and time management skills that go with handling two different subjects.

    Graduates have gone into careers both within and outside of music and the arts. They've gone into areas like performance, composition, journalism, advertising and marketing, publishing, education and law. Many others have gone onto postgraduate study or further training.

    Careers support

    We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

    Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

    The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

  • Study abroad and work placements

    Study abroad

    On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has partnerships with more than 400 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

    Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

    Work placements

    Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

    Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

  • Related courses

    English and Film Studies BA
    English Literature and Theatre Studies BA