We work in partnership with Durham University's Music Department, they have been rated as the top UK music department for two years running in both The Complete University Guide (2018 and 2019) and The Sunday Times University League Table (2017 and 2018), are ranked first in the Guardian University League Table 2019, and appeared in the top three in the Research Excellence Framework 2014.

The Department has internationally recognised research expertise in a wide variety of topics including musicology, theory and analysis, ethnomusicology, music psychology, performance, composition, and music technology.

Durham University's Music Department strive's to provide innovative, research-led teaching that will assist our students to achieve their full potential as thinking, creative musicians and scholars. Their undergraduate programme mixes foundational courses with a strong emphasis on developing independent research skills and increasing choice and flexibility as you progress. Their postgraduate programme offers opportunities for higher-level study with world-leading researchers.

Durham enjoys a rich musical life: the University boasts numerous choirs, orchestras, opera, jazz and early-music ensembles, and the Department runs its own annual concert series, which attracts soloists from around the World.

The Music Department is located within the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising the magnificent 11th century Cathedral and Castle. We have a distinguished tradition of scholarship stretching back to the nineteenth century, but we pride ourselves on remaining a dynamic centre of creative and intellectual innovation.