Course details
A Levels ABB Other entry requirementsUCAS code QW33
Duration 3 years
Fee Look up tuition fee and additional costs
Related subjects English Literature Music
Any questions?
Undergraduate admissions team
School of English
Telephone +44 (0) 114 222 0236
Email english.admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
Website sheffield.ac.uk/english/undergraduate
School of English
1st for research environment
Research Excellence Framework 2014
Course description
This dual honours English and music degree allows you to pursue your creative and critical passions across the arts.
Through English, you'll foster your love of literature, film, theatre, creative writing and more. You'll explore literary cultures from the medieval to the present day, engaging with diverse texts and media from all over the world. You can pursue either an English literature or an English language pathway, or take modules from both areas.
The music side of your degree is carefully designed to develop your skills as a musician and music researcher. We offer academic and practical study in most music genres, including classical, pop, jazz, folk and world music. Our curriculum is spread across seven different areas - performance, composition, musicology, ethnomusicology, music psychology, musical industries and music technology - making this one of the most diverse music degree programmes in the UK.
As a dual honours student, you'll divide your studies between the School of English and the Department of Music. Choice and flexibility are at the heart of our teaching, which means you can pursue and develop your own interests. At every level, there is a wide variety of modules to choose from. You will be taught by world-leading experts from both departments.
You'll be required to take a minimum number of credits within both departments each year, but how you choose to divide your modules after this is up to you: split your modules evenly between English and music or choose to weight your degree in favour of one subject or the other.
Throughout your degree, you'll be studying in an environment dedicated to high-quality teaching, world-leading research, and innovative public engagement. We have cutting-edge facilities, including purpose-built music practice rooms, recording studios and music psychology labs.
Outside of your degree, there are many ways to develop your interests, insights and critical faculties. Opportunities include student-led reading groups, multiple theatre and performance societies, and our University Concerts series, which hosts over 100 musical events and performances every year.
Financial help from the University - bursaries
If you're a UK student, you could be entitled to a University bursary. A bursary is the same as a grant - you don't have to pay it back.
Entry requirements
Qualification | Grades |
---|---|
A Levels | ABB, including Music or Grade 8 Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool or equivalent) at Merit + Grade 5 theory (ABRSM/Trinity) at Merit |
A Levels + additional qualifications | BBB, including Music or Grade 8 Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockshool) + Grade 5 Theory (ABRSM/Trinity) + B in a relevant EPQ |
International Baccalaureate | 33, including Music or Grade 8 Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool) at Merit + Grade 5 theory (ABRSM/Trinity) at Merit |
BTEC | DDD in Music |
Cambridge Pre-U | D3 M2 M2, including Music or Grade 8 Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool or equivalent) at Merit + Grade 5 theory (ABRSM/Trinity) at Merit |
Scottish Highers + 2 Advanced Highers | AABBB + AB in Music or Grade 8 Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool or equivalent) at Merit + Grade 5 theory (ABRSM/Trinity) at Merit |
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels | Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels A + AB, including Music or Grade 8 Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool or equivalent) at Merit + Grade 5 theory (ABRSM/Trinity) at Merit |
Access to HE | Entry requirements for mature students |
Other qualifications |
Other UK qualifications
Other EU/international qualifications |
Other requirements
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If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department |
Modules - what you study and when
Our students usually select from a range of compulsory and optional modules to add up to 120 credits.
Some departments offer courses that don't feature optional modules whereas other courses are fully flexible.
You can find out more by:
- Viewing course information on School of English website
- Viewing course information on Department of Music website
- Contacting the department using the details in the 'More' section
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'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
School of English

We're one of the largest and most successful English departments in the UK. Our interdisciplinary approach brings together the study of literature, language, linguistics, film, theatre and creative writing to form a community that is unique in its breadth and depth of study of the English language.
Our world-leading research, active student community and civic ethos makes Sheffield one of the world's most exciting places to study English. Our academic staff are experts in their field and use their cutting-edge research to inform their teaching and the content of the modules that you'll study. They're also passionate, dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to ensure their students are inspired.
As a student here, you can can specialise in your chosen subject, while also forging interdisciplinary connections by taking modules from different degree programmes. We keep seminar groups small because we believe that's the best way to stimulate discussion and debate. Our modules use a range of innovative assessments and can include designing websites, writing blog posts, and working with publishing software, in addition to writing essays and delivering presentations.
We're committed to providing you with the pastoral support you need in order to thrive in your degree. You'll be assigned a personal tutor with whom you'll have regular meetings. You're welcome to see any of the academic staff in our regular office hours, if there's anything you want to ask.
Department of Music

Our departmental 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. Our £8.5 million facilities provide the ideal home for some of the UK's most diverse and cutting-edge music research and teaching.
The Jessop Building houses specialist study and rehearsal rooms, dedicated spaces for world music and Western historical performance, and music psychology labs. The Soundhouse is our purpose-built facility for instrumental lessons, practice, small-scale rehearsals and sound recording, and includes four studios.
We're ranked fourth in the Russell Group for overall satisfaction according to the 2019 National Student Survey.
What our graduates do
The academic aptitude and personal skills that you develop on your degree will make you highly prized by employers, whatever your chosen career path after university:
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Independent working
- Time management and organisation
- Planning and researching written work
- Articulating knowledge and understanding of texts, concepts and theories
- Leading and participating in discussions
- Negotiation and teamwork
- Effectively conveying arguments and opinions and thinking creatively
- Critical reasoning and analysis
Our graduates are confident and articulate. They have highly developed communication skills, equipping them for a wide range of careers in journalism, the charity sector, marketing and communications, theatre and television production, PR, copywriting, publishing, teaching, web development, accountancy, and speech and language therapy, among other fields.
Many of our students go on to postgraduate study, research, and an academic career.
Student profile

"The academics in the department are friendly and supportive, going above and beyond whenever I have needed assistance. Every single module I have taken has been engaging and intellectually stimulating. Under their excellent teaching, I feel that I have grown into an independent researcher and critical thinker."
Scott Moore ,
BA student in the School of English
"The department of music is a really welcoming, inspiring place to study. What I study is incredibly diverse. I've just returned from a year in Brussels to complete my final year."
Emily Compton
Music
Work experience
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 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.
You can also study our courses with the Degree with Employment Experience option. This allows you to apply for a placement year during your degree where you'll gain valuable experience and improve your employability.
Study abroad
There are opportunities to study abroad, for a semester or a year, as part of a three or four-year degree programme. We have exchange agreements with universities in the USA, Australia, Canada, Singapore and throughout Europe.
Apply for this course
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:
ucas.com >Contact us
Undergraduate admissions team
School of English
Telephone
+44 (0) 114 222 0236
Email
english.admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
Visit us
University open days
There are four open days every year, usually in June, July, September and October. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Book your place
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Applicant days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our applicant open days, which take place between November and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Campus tours run regularly throughout the year, at 1pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Find out more and book a place online
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