Music

We offer a wide-ranging and stimulating undergraduate degree in which you can progressively specialise across the three years. In addition to an exceptionally solid foundation in the Western classical tradition, you will also find courses in popular music, ethnomusicology, and music psychology.

The first year provides a broad-based introduction to the subject, while the second and third years offer increasing opportunities for specialism, including substantial self-directed projects such as dissertations and composition portfolios.

Music at Cambridge covers a broad range of music and variety of ways of thinking about and understanding music. While performance is an option in all three years, the focus of the tripos is on the rigorous study of history, analysis and composition.

One of the smaller and more intimate colleges, Magdalene has an exceptionally active and well-supported musical community. In addition to the students we admit to study Music as an academic discipline, a large number of students engaged in other courses are deeply involved in the College's musical life. The College has a thriving Music Society and weekly recital series, a jazz band, and a long history of ad hoc project-based ensembles. The College has multiple performance spaces, including Benson Hall (with a full-sized Bechstein concert grand piano) and Cripps Auditorium (with a Steinway B), as well as dedicated music practice rooms.

The College has dedicated funds to reward and encourage excellence in both academic and practical music. Lincoln Prizes are for those who achieve a First Class in any year of the Music Tripos. These Prizes are in addition to College or Bundy Scholarships.

Lincoln Music Awards are awarded annually to current students (instrumentalists, vocalists, groups and composers, both undergraduates and postgraduates) who are invited to audition in the Lent Term. Further information may be found on the Lincoln Music Awards page. Discretionary Lincoln Grants are available for those requiring financial assistance with the cost of music lessons, music books, etc. 

Organ and Choral Scholarships and Instrumental Awards

Information about the Organ and Choral Scholarships and Instrumental Awards can be found on the University’s Music Awards page.

More details of the course and the optional papers available can be found on the University’s Undergraduate Study pages and the Faculty of Music website.

Applicants in Music must be curious and enthusiastic about engaging intellectually with their subject, with a desire to do more than play or listen to music. Much of the course is devoted to theoretical and historical approaches to music studies; in addition to studying music on a practical and analytical level, students must be motivated to engage with a wide variety of secondary literature from across the humanities and social sciences. Performance may be studied as part of the Music course, although this is not obligatory. There are many opportunities to perform in Cambridge and at Magdalene, both as part of the course and on an extracurricular basis, and we normally expect some sort of proficiency in at least one instrument. Broader interests in history, culture, anthropology, languages, or even science may also be beneficial. We welcome enquiries from prospective candidates at any point in the year.

Applicants are usually required to be taking (or have achieved) an A-level in Music from a board whose syllabus focuses on the academic study of the subject. Students taking the IB should also be taking Higher Level Music. ABRSM Grade 8 Theory may be an acceptable alternative to A-level or IB Higher Level Music, though applicants are advised to contact the Academic Office before applying to discuss the possible implications of this alternative route.

Minimum offer:

A-Level: A*AA

IB: 41-42 points overall, with 7,7,6 at Higher Level.

Other qualifications: Check which other qualifications we accept 

Candidates will normally have one interview of around 40-45 minutes.

The interview process aims to assess your intellectual ability, potential, and commitment to the subject.

We usually ask for one recent essay and one piece of harmony or composition work to be submitted with the application, with teacher feedback.

At interview, candidates will be given an unseen piece of music and an excerpt of academic text to analyse and discuss with the interviewers. The candidate will be asked a few aural skills questions during the interview.

There is no separate admissions assessment for Music at Magdalene. 

More information is available on the Interviews, Written Work and Assessments page.