Admissions
Selection Criteria
Candidates compete for a place to study Music at Oxford. Those who ultimately win a place for Music will have been those most effective at demonstrating potential to engage successfully with the demands of the undergraduate course at Oxford as it is currently taught.This potential will be assessed by information provided on the UCAS form, previously-submitted samples of written work [1] and, at the interview: criteria are:
1. an enthusiasm for the subject, supported by
- knowledge acquired through a current or completed A-level Music course (or its equivalent) [2]
- ability to use appropriate terminology in discussing music
- proficiency on at least one instrument (which may include voice) [3]
- basic keyboard skills [4];
2. A willingness and ability to engage in debate, and think critically, about issues relating to music and musical scholarship which may be introduced in the interview, and which may lie beyond candidates' current experience as players or singers.
*The Music Faculty is happy to receive applications from students who wish to defer entry for one year, although applicants should to check with their first-choice college if they are interested about this possibility (some colleges have policies of their own about deferred entry).*
NOTES:
[1] Candidates should, where possible, submit a marked sample of harmony and/or counterpoint and two marked essays on any areas or aspects of music (or one of their other A-level subjects if that is more convenient). Candidates may also submit a portfolio of compositions (but it is not possible to return copies).
[2] Candidates may be asked to study a short piece of music and/or text about music for discussion at interview; if so, this material will be supplied at an appropriate moment after candidates have arrived in Oxford.
[3] Instrumental ability will be assessed by performance of a prepared piece on the candidate's principal instrument or voice. (Organists, percussionists, and candidates requiring an accompanist, should inform the Faculty in advance of the interview period.)
[4] Keyboard skills, where candidates do not possess ABRMS Grade 5 or equivalent, may be tested by means of a standardised keyboard sight-reading test at interview. Candidates' level of keyboard proficiency should be indicated on the UCAS form.
Knowledge of English
English is the language of instruction at Oxford. It is essential that applicants whose own language is not English should have a high level of competence and fluency in English. We do not have formal requirements but high scores in IELTS or TOEFL will provide evidence for tutors to take into account when your application is being assessed. As a guide we would normally be looking for a minimum of around 7.5 in the IELTS in listening, reading, speaking and writing, and a minimum of 650 in the TOEFL (275 in the computer-based TOEFL test).