Music and East Asian StudiesBA
Source: https://sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/2026/music-and-east-asian-studies-ba Parent: https://sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/2026
2026-27 entry View 2027-28 entry
Music and East Asian Studies BA
School of Languages, Arts and Societies
Perform, compose and write about music while developing your understanding of East Asian culture and language. You'll spend your third year studying at a partner university abroad. Modules span musicology, ethnomusicology, music psychology, musical industries and music technology.
- A Levels \ ABB; BBB
- UCAS code \ WTH4
- Duration \ 4 years
- Start date \ September
-
Attendance \ Full-time
- Course fee
- Funding available
- Foreign language study
- Industry placement
- Study abroad
- Dual honours
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Course description
Why study this course?
Pursue your love of music and East Asian culture
With a strong foundation of musical understanding, this dual course supports you as you develop both as a musician, and a student of East Asian culture.
Top-tier
Highly ranked in Asian studies and first for Academic support and student voice in Music in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2025
Top 10 for music in the UK
We have been ranked 8th in the UK for music in the Complete University Guide 2026.
Work in music
Gain practical industry experience while you learn with our 'Work in Music' module, and build a network of professionals who can advise you on your career.
Become an independent musician and music researcher – all while achieving fluency, real lived experience and a critical understanding of East Asia and its people.
In this degree you will learn to listen, perform, think and write critically about music of multiple genres while developing your language skills and understanding of East Asian culture.
You will get to learn either Korean, Japanese or Chinese from scratch, with a focus on social and vocational skills in writing, summary, precision translation, debate and oral presentation.
The combination of language study, the huge, flexible range of music modules, and time spent with our partner universities in East Asia, makes this degree the perfect space in which to pursue your love of East Asian music. Together, we’ll help you establish the skills and portfolio you need to enjoy a career in the music industry.
Dual and combined honours degrees
Accreditation
The University of Sheffield is an All-Steinway School. This accreditation enables students to access pianos of the highest quality and places the University among a select group of international education institutions.
Modules
Dual honours programmes are very flexible. The music modules for combined honours students are the same as those for BMus students. You can choose to split your 120 credits per year equally 60:60 between your two subjects, or you can choose a ‘major/minor’ split of 80:40.
We're revising the curriculum of the course for this year of entry. Your first year modules are confirmed. For other years of study, the information here gives you an idea of the areas we expect the course to cover, although there may be changes before you begin. As you progress through your course, we’ll confirm additional details for the core and optional modules available to you.
Choose a year to see modules for a level of study:
Title: Music and East Asian Studies BA course structure\ UCAS code: WTH4\ Years: 2026, 2027
First year
Second year
Third year
Year four
First year
In your first year you will take a total of 80 credits from core modules and a total of 40 credits from optional modules.
Core modules (80 credits):
Digital Skills for Music : The module aims to develop your confidence and technical expertise with a range of technologies of value to academic and professional practice. Lectures will introduce fundamental principles and specific technologies for use in researching, creating and producing music. These technologies will then be applied in the production of a collaborative project, helping students to develop team work and interpersonal skills that will serve them in subsequent levels of study and professional practice. \ \ Indicative areas of study include audio recording and production, sound design, computational literacy, data analysis, the ethics of artificial intelligence, effective group work, research management and productivity.
**20 credits**
History of Western Music : This module provides an overview of some of the key issues in the history of Western art music, as well as the historical context surrounding them. A range of approaches to the study of music history will be considered, giving you an introduction to the discipline of musicology. The module will also develop your ability to write about music and use primary and secondary sources to inform critical discussions.
**20 credits**
Key Questions in East Asian Studies : East Asia has been studied in Western universities for hundreds of years and is an active area of research today. This year-long module introduces students to the academic study of East Asia and how it has changed over time. We will look at key questions and debates that have shaped research about East Asia as a whole as well as China, Japan and Korea, in particular. Along the way, you will also learn about how academic knowledge is produced and employed. Through these explorations, you will learn to develop your own academic voice in both writing and speech.
**20 credits**
Inventing Traditions in China, Japan and Korea : This module will introduce you to the critical study of East Asian traditions. While the region is often touted for its ancient cultures, practices, and heritage, many of these have been carefully represented, invented, or repackaged in contemporary times for a variety of purposes. You will learn to critically examine the histories and representations of famous traditions in modern media such as Japanese samurai, Korean politeness, and Chinese philosophy. You will also develop your own multimedia project working with as a group through which you will build digital media skills.
**20 credits**
Optional modules (20 credits from this list):
Composition : In this module you will develop your composition skills, practice writing music in staff notation, and learn to write effectively for different instrumental and vocal forces. Drawing on the models of a diverse range of classical composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, we will focus on techniques for writing inventive melodies and rhythms, and employing wide-ranging approaches to harmony. The module aims to give you a foundation in composition and increase your confidence in preparation for further study.
**20 credits**
Popular Music Studies : This module provides an introduction to the academic study of popular music. You will explore key approaches to studying popular music in its socio-cultural contexts, investigating major issues and debates. Lecture materials and in-class tasks will engage with approaches to the analysis of popular music and media, issues of representation, authenticity, identity, technology and industry. The module is delivered via lectures and group tasks to encourage interaction and collaboration between students. Assessments are designed to allow you to apply key analytical and theoretical frameworks to music of your own choosing, testing both your individual skills and knowledge alongside group work and collaboration.
**20 credits**
Music in a Global Context : Whatever kind of music study you decide to specialise in, you'll do it better if you see it in the context of music as a phenomenon common to all humanity. You'll understand what's different about your own chosen field but also how the music you love derives from diverse cultural sources. In this module we examine how any music uses specific ways of organising sound to serve particular cultural purposes. You'll learn to recognise and describe diverse musical styles, research them through scholarly sources, present an analysis using appropriate audio-visual technology, and take control of the transferable skills you're developing.
**20 credits**
Performance : In this module you will develop the musical and intellectual abilities appropriate to solo performance. The theoretical background is considered, focusing on the aural and analytical skills essential to performance at an advanced level. An awareness of style and interpretation, as well as effective preparation and communication are built into teaching. You will receive one to one tuition in addition to attending whole class performance lectures.
**20 credits**
Music Analysis : This module aims to introduce, develop and refine ways of thinking, listening and writing about western music. You will learn to listen to and analyze harmonic, tonal, motivic, thematic, melodic, rhythmic, textural and formal features of a range of western music genres, such as Common Practice harmonic principles, Medieval counterpoint, jazz standards and rock'n'roll. By using analytical techniques to reveal distinctive structural characteristics across multiple styles of music, this module not only prepares you for western-music-based modules at FHEQ levels 5 and 6 but also provides new models of approaching music that can be applied in wider creative and empirical contexts.
**20 credits**
Psychological Foundations of Music : Music Psychology offers insights, ways of thinking, reflective tools and methods to understand the foundations of musical behaviour, learning and thought. This module offers the foundation to students to be able to engage with the literature, knowledge and underpinning techniques in this area. Learning about psychology of music will help you engage with some of the most provocative questions about musicality, such as what enables our capacity for music, why we respond emotionally to music, whether music makes us smarter, and what underlies therapeutic applications of music for health and wellbeing?
**20 credits**
Optional modules (20 credits from this list):
Korean 1 : Korean is a unique and increasingly influential language. This module introduces the basics of the Korean language to students with no prior experience. You will achieve an understanding of the fundamentals of reading, writing, listening, and speaking in Korean, including the alphabet Hangul. By the end of the module, you will be able to introduce yourself, understand simple passages, and engage in conversations about everyday topics. Alongside language skills, you will learn about aspects about contemporary Korean society and culture, building your intercultural knowledge and understanding.
**20 credits**
Japanese 1 : Japanese is one of the world's most popular, but unique languages. This module introduces the basics of the Japanese language to students with no prior experience. You will achieve an understanding of the major features of Japanese language including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. By the end of the module you will be able to talk and writie about yourself, read and understand simple information, such as an event, in Japanese, and hold a basic conversation. Through the module you will also learn about Japanese culture and society.
**20 credits**
Chinese 1 : Chinese is the world's most spoken language. This module introduces the basics of the Chinese language to students with no prior experience. You will achieve an understanding of the major features of Chinese language including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. By the end of the module you will be able to read and write Chinese characters, hold basic conversations in Chinese, and give short presentations. On top of language skills for real-life communication, you will also gain a structured understanding of the Chinese language.
**20 credits**
Thinking Cross-culturally : East Asia is home to diverse cultural traditions, ethnic groups, and languages. It also has a long history of migration, exchange, and cultural influence across the region. This year-long module introduces students to ways of studying cultural groups, transnational exchanges, and the influence of dominant cultures. Through the module, you will learn to conduct independent research early in your academic journey, developing strong knowledge of the region's diversity and how to approach it.
**20 credits**
Arts, History and Culture in East Asia : This module introduces the study of the humanities in East Asia. We will explore thousands of years of writing traditions across China, Japan and Korea, through genres such as historical sagas, philosophy, poetry, modern novels, and more. Through this, you will learn the broad history of East Asia and how to understand it through key texts. You will develop strong reading and interpretative skills across many genres, preparing you for success in the course and beyond.
**20 credits**
Politics, Economy and Society in East Asia : Since 1945, East Asian societies have experienced rapid social, economic and political changes. This module introduces students to contemporary developments that have shaped China, Japan and Korea. You will explore how societies were rebuilt, how development re-shaped everyday life, and how issues such as sustainability, human rights, inequality, and population growth have presented new challenges. Through this module, you will learn about the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and how we can understand them across East Asia.
**20 credits**
Second year
In your second year, you’ll continue to build your fundamental knowledge of Music and East Asia, looking in depth at materials and developing your practical music and language skills.
Example core modules:
- Musicology
- Work in Music
- Global Citizenship and East Asia: Confronting contemporary challenges
You’ll have the opportunity to enhance your knowledge through a range of optional modules, such as Performance and Improvisation, Ethnography of Music, Studio Practice and non-specialist Korean, Japanese and Chinese.
Third year
You will spend your third year studying abroad in an East Asian country where you will be immersed in an East Asian language and culture of your choice.
Year four
In your final year, you’ll hone your skills and work towards becoming an expert, putting what you’ve learnt into practice with your final project.
Example core modules:
- Major project: Composition / Performance / Dissertation / Special project
- East Asian Dissertation
You’ll also have the opportunity to enhance your knowledge through a range of optional modules, such as Orchestration and Arrangement, Traditional Music in the Modern World, Ensemble Performance, Communicating East Asia: Popular media and Creative practice, History and Memory in China, Japan, and Korea and continuations of you language study.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
Learning
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, interactive classes and tutorials, and you'll be expected to carry out independent study, assignments and instrument practice.
On the East Asian side of your degree, you will be taught by native speakers in Korean, Japanese or Chinese in regular small group classes using custom made course material.
We invest to create the right environment for you. That means outstanding facilities, study spaces and support, including 24/7 access to our online library service.
Study spaces and computers are available to offer you choice and flexibility for your study. Our five library sites give you access to over one million books and periodicals. You can access your library account and our rich digital collections from anywhere on or off campus. Other library services include study skills training to improve your grades, and tailored advice from experts in your subject.
Learning support facilities and library opening hours
You'll be taught by world-leading experts in both departments.
Our staff research directly informs the content of our degrees and we bring our expertise and ideas into all our teaching, so you’ll benefit from being introduced to the latest discoveries at the forefront of musical research.
The University of Sheffield has over 50 years’ experience of researching contemporary East Asia and pioneering new methods for teaching East Asian Languages. Our staff, many of whom are fluent in at least one East Asian language, are internationally-renowned specialists in East Asia, and bring expertise in various fields such as history, culture and politics.
Assessment
A few music modules include formal exams but the majority of assessment for the music side of your degree is through coursework (for example essays, journals, compositions, recordings, group projects) and assessed performances.
Entry requirements
With Access Sheffield, you could qualify for additional consideration or an alternative offer - find out if you're eligible.
- Standard offer
- Access Sheffield offer
Standard offer
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:\ ABB; BBB \
A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification : BBB, including Music + B in a relevant EPQ
International Baccalaureate : 33, with 5 in Higher Level Music; 32 + Grade 8 in either Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool/LCME or equivalent) or Performance (ABRSM/ARSM/Rockschool/Trinity) + Grade 5 Theory (ABRSM/Trinity/LCME); 32, with 5 in Higher Level Music, and B in a music-based extended essay
BTEC Extended Diploma : DDD in Music
BTEC Diploma : DD + B in A Level Music; DD in Music + B at A Level
Scottish Highers : AAABB, including Music; AABBB + Grade 8 in either Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool/LCME or equivalent) or Performance (ABRSM/ARSM/Rockschool/Trinity) + Grade 5 Theory (ABRSM/Trinity/LCME)
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels : B + AB, including Music; B + BB + Grade 8 in either Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool/LCME or equivalent) or Performance (ABRSM/ARSM/Rockschool/Trinity) + Grade 5 Theory (ABRSM/Trinity/LCME)
Access to HE Diploma : Award of the Access to HE Diploma in Music, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit
Other requirements
- Music Technology is acceptable in lieu of Music
Access Sheffield offer
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:\ BBB \ including Music
A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification : BBB, including Music + B in a relevant EPQ
International Baccalaureate : 32, with 5 in Higher Level Music
BTEC Extended Diploma : DDM in Music
BTEC Diploma : DD + B in A Level Music; DD in Music + B at A Level
Scottish Highers : AABBB, including Music
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels : B + BB, including Music
Access to HE Diploma : Award of the Access to HE Diploma in Music, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 at Distinction and 21 at Merit
Other requirements
- Music Technology is acceptable in lieu of Music
English language requirements |
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
Equivalent English language qualifications
Visa and immigration requirements
Other qualifications | UK and EU/international
Pathway programme for international students
If you're an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for an International Foundation Year in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Sheffield International College. This course is designed to develop your English language and academic skills. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree level study at the University of Sheffield.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school.
Graduate careers
School of Languages, Arts and Societies
The musical excellence and academic aptitude you develop on your course makes you highly valued by employers. In addition to a rich stream of specialized technical skills, you'll develop your time management, critical thinking and interpersonal communication in order to present yourself with confidence and collaborate effectively.
There are lots of opportunities to get work experience. Hands-on projects are integrated into several academic modules and every year our Concerts team provides internships while the Careers Service can help you find placements. You can lead a music project or workshop in a local school through our student-led volunteering organisation Music in the City. All of these experiences will help you build a compelling CV.
Our graduates work with prestigious orchestras and music institutions within the UK and globally, in roles ranging from performing and conducting to administration and education. Sheffield music graduates have also forged successful careers in other fields, from audio programming to marketing and management.
Graduate job roles include:
- Artist management
- Audio programming
- Composition
- Concerts coordination
- Instrument repair
- Marketing and communications
- Music research
- Music promotion
- Music therapy
- Orchestral management
- Professional performance
- Publishing
- Sound engineering
- Teaching
[Say yes to every music making opportunity you can while at university, even if it’s something a little out of your comfort zone
George Morton
Department of Music, \ BMus Music, MMus Composition and Performance](https://sheffield.ac.uk/las/postgraduate/student-profiles/george)
School of Languages, Arts and Societies
1st in the Russell Group for academic support and student voice
National Student Survey (NSS) 2025
3rd in the UK for music
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
Ranked 6th nationally for the quality of our research environment
Research Excellence Framework 2021
An All-Steinway School
The University of Sheffield is proud to be an All-Steinway School
Our school ethos combines high achievement with a sense of community and a shared passion for music. Our internationally recognised research informs our high-quality teaching and our student experience is second to none.
Sheffield is celebrated as one of the UK's leading music cities, with dozens of major venues from the City Hall, the Crucible, the Lyceum, the Lescar, the Greystones and the Foundry, covering all music genres. This brings with it a host of opportunities for our students to get involved in professional music-making of the highest quality.
You can also enjoy events from University of Sheffield Concerts which hosts concerts and masterclasses from touring professional musicians throughout the year.
Music students study at the heart of the campus in our Jessop Building, Soundhouse and performance facilities. We timetable teaching across the whole of our campus.
Facilities
Specially designed for music study, our £8.5m facilities provide the ideal environment for our diverse and cutting-edge teaching and research.
The University of Sheffield are proud to be an All-Steinway School, which places us among a select group of international education institutions. This accreditation means that you'll have access to pianos of the highest quality.
The Jessop Building houses study and rehearsal rooms, with dedicated specialist spaces including our historical instruments collection, ethnomusicology space and collection, music psychology lab and music technology lab.
The Soundhouse is our purpose-built facility for instrumental lessons, practice, small-scale rehearsals and sound recording, and houses the internationally-renowned University of Sheffield Sound Studios for recording and electroacoustic composition.
The University of Sheffield is also home to a suite of performance spaces, including the beautiful 380-seater Firth Hall, set in the stunning Edwardian Grade II listed Firth Court and home to the University’s multi-genre Concert Series.
School of Languages, Arts and Societies
University rankings
A world top-100 university\ QS World University Rankings 2026 (92nd)
Number one in the Russell Group (based on aggregate responses)\ National Student Survey 2025
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent\ Research Excellence Framework 2021
University of the Year for Student Experience\ The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
Number one Students' Union in the UK\ Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Number one for Students' Union\ StudentCrowd 2025 University Awards
20th in the UK targeted by the largest number of Top 100 Employers in 2025-26\ High Fliers 2026
Student profiles
[The support and encouragement to find your own musical voice from the staff you will get is amazing
Phoebe N Mckernon
Undergraduate student, \ BMus](https://sheffield.ac.uk/las/undergraduate/student-profiles/phoebe-mckernon) [I was looking for a music degree that would be more flexible - I could pick modules to suit my interests
Emily Cooper
Department of Music, \ BMus Music](https://sheffield.ac.uk/las/undergraduate/student-profiles/emily) [The department here at Sheffield is astounding
Danniella Garstang
Undergraduate student, \ Korean Studies BA](https://sheffield.ac.uk/las/undergraduate/student-profiles/danniella)
Fees and funding
Fees
Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Examples of what’s included and excluded
Funding your study
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Use our Student Funding Calculator to work out what you’re eligible for.
£2,500 per year scholarships for international students
We're offering automatic scholarships worth up to £10,000 to overseas fee-paying students starting their studies in September 2026 - no additional application required.
Additional funding
The School of Languages, Arts and Societies offers a number of music scholarships. These can include scholarships in partnership with local music organisations, giving you a chance to gain advanced work experience within the music sector while studying.
Alternatively, we can offer bursaries donated by alumni to help support you with your studies. Both single honours BMus students and dual honours students with music are eligible to apply. For a full list of scholarships and prizes available, please visit our scholarships page.
Placements and study abroad
You will spend the third year of your degree studying in East Asia at one of our partner institutions in China, Japan or Korea, subject to availability.
All of our partner universities are high-quality institutions which will provide you with the same, high level of teaching and support that is available in Sheffield. During your year abroad you'll immerse yourself in the culture of the country you’re living in.
You'll continue to have the opportunity to take language classes, as well as choosing from a range of other modules. There are lots of opportunities to get work experience. Hands-on projects are integrated into several academic modules and every year our University Concerts team provides internships.
Alternatively, you can lead a music project or workshop through our student-led volunteering organisation Music in the City. All of these experiences will help you build a compelling CV.
Visit
University open days
We host five open days each year, usually in June, July, September, October and November. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Online events
Join our weekly Sheffield Live online sessions to find out more about different aspects of University life.
Subject tasters
If you’re considering your post-16 options, our interactive subject tasters are for you. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and you can attend sessions online or on campus.
Offer holder days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong school focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Our weekly guided tours show you what Sheffield has to offer - both on campus and beyond. You can extend your visit with tours of our city, accommodation or sport facilities.
Apply
Make sure you've done everything you need to do before you apply.
How to apply When you're ready to apply, see the UCAS website:\ www.ucas.com
Not ready to apply yet? You can also register your interest in this course.
Contact us
Start a conversation with us – you can get in touch by email, telephone or online chat.
Contacts for prospective students
School of Languages, Arts and Societies
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Terms and Conditions upon Acceptance of an Offer
2026-2027
Make sure you've done everything you need to do before you apply.
How to apply When you're ready to apply, see the UCAS website:\ www.ucas.com
Not ready to apply yet? You can also register your interest in this course.
Perform, compose and write about music while developing your understanding of East Asian culture and language. You'll spend your third year studying at a partner university abroad. Modules span musicology, ethnomusicology, music psychology, musical industries and music technology.
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