A BA equivalent to a BMus
Cambridge says its BA in Music is equivalent to BMus degrees at other universities. It covers history, analysis, composition, performance, ethnomusicology, music and science, popular music studies and notation studies.
Undergraduate · Cambridge Music
Cambridge Music: the BA, its prerequisite and the work you submit
Cambridge describes its Music BA as equivalent to BMus degrees at other universities, with history, analysis, composition, performance, ethnomusicology and music science all in the course. To apply you need Music at A level or Higher Level, or ABRSM Grade 8 Theory at Merit or above, and you submit essays and technical or compositional material. Oxford's Music course asks for similar grades but a different set of submissions, so the decision is not only which university, but which kind of evidence you can produce and which first-year structure suits you.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Cambridge asks for in Music
Taken from Cambridge's Music course page and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Cambridge's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
A*AA, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level
The minimum offer level is A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. Colleges may ask for more.
Music, or Grade 8 Theory
Applicants need an A level or IB Higher Level in Music or the equivalent, or ABRSM Grade 8 Theory at Merit or above.
An admission assessment at some Colleges
There is an admission assessment at some Colleges for this course, with no advance registration.
Written work and musical material
You submit representative written work and musical material: normally one or two essays on the history or analysis of music, and one or two technical exercises and/or your own compositions.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on Cambridge's Music course page, which describes 2027 entry. The Faculty of Music pages, individual College requirements, which Colleges set an admission assessment, the interview arrangements, fees and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The course
A shared foundation, then increasing choice
The first year has compulsory papers in historical and critical studies, tonal skills and general musicianship, and music analysis, plus two half-papers chosen from extended essay, performance, composition and history workshop. In the second year students take a further paper in each core area, with options for orchestration and film scoring, and then choose three papers on topics such as popular music and media, ethnomusicology, notation, keyboard skills, music and science, performance and composition; a dissertation of 5,000 to 7,000 words is possible. In the final year there are no compulsory papers: students choose six, from advanced performance and composition to a dissertation of 7,000 to 10,000 words and specialist topics. Cambridge says teaching moves from lectures towards seminars and one-to-one work.
Cambridge or Oxford
Two academic music degrees, two sets of evidence
Both courses are academic degrees rather than conservatoire training. Avandy's Oxford Music guide sets out Oxford's own rules; compare them by what you must submit.
Cambridge Music asks for
Music at A level or Higher Level, or Grade 8 Theory at Merit, with essays and technical exercises or compositions submitted. Some Colleges set an admission assessment.
Oxford Music asks for
A different package: a performance video, essays and a harmony exercise, with no written test. Read Avandy's Oxford guide for the detail.
Choose by evidence
If your strongest material is written analysis and composition, Cambridge's submission fits. If you have a performance recording ready, Oxford's does. Many applicants prepare for both.
Entry rules
Theory first, then work that shows how you think about music
The minimum A-level offer is A*AA and the minimum IB offer is 41 to 42 points with 776 at Higher Level; Cambridge lists the requirements for entry in the cycle described or deferred entry a year later. You need Music at A level or Higher Level, or ABRSM Grade 8 Theory at Merit or above. You submit representative written work and musical material. Cambridge says 56% of the recent A-level students it analysed achieved at least A*A*A and 98% took Music; that is historical information and not a requirement. Some Colleges set an admission assessment, so check each College's page.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Cambridge's.
Do you have a strong theory base?
The prerequisite is Music or Grade 8 Theory, and the first year has substantial tonal skills and aural work.
What will you submit?
Choose essays on history or analysis and technical exercises or compositions that show your own thinking.
Which strand excites you most?
From the second year onward you choose among history, composition, performance, ethnomusicology and music science.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Cambridge has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Cambridge published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Cambridge has not yet published it.
Offer levels, the Music or Grade 8 Theory prerequisite, the College-dependent assessment and the submitted work: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Cambridge has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline, admission-assessment arrangements and interview dates: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Cambridge's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm the theory qualification, prepare essays and exercises or compositions, and check each College's assessment.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means course-fit advice, music-theory and academic-writing mentoring and ethical interview practice; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write submitted work. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the Cambridge Music entry requirements?
A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level, with Music at A level or Higher Level or ABRSM Grade 8 Theory at Merit. This is Cambridge's wording for 2027 entry.
Do I need Grade 8 Theory?
Only if you do not have Music at A level or Higher Level. Cambridge accepts either route.
Is there an admission assessment?
At some Colleges. Cambridge says you do not need to register in advance, and points to the College pages.
What must I submit?
Representative written work and musical material, normally one or two essays on the history or analysis of music and one or two technical exercises and/or your own compositions.
Is it a performance degree?
It is an academic BA equivalent to a BMus. Performance is an option within it, not its whole.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Cambridge's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Cambridge publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Cambridge Music
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their music theory, what they could submit and how they weigh scholarship against performance, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.