Although many undergraduates who read Music aspire to enter the music profession in one guise or another, the course provides a broad education for those who take up other occupations. The Library has extensive collections of music, books, periodicals and recordings. You should have a good musical ear, some facility at the keyboard and proficiency in harmony and counterpoint. Knowledge of one or more foreign languages will be beneficial. From the outline given below it can be seen that the Tripos offers an increasing amount of free choice over the three years.
Teaching is conducted through lectures, seminars and supervisions.
While most undergraduates reading Music take all three Parts of the Tripos, undergraduates who have successfully completed one Part of another Tripos and are suitably qualified in Music may transfer to Music at the beginning of the IB course. The Tripos is at present under revision, and will probably change starting the academic year 2002-3. For details of the new course, please consult the Music Faculty website or contact the Faculty Office. Candidates may choose either Paper 1 or a portfolio of tonal compositions, two papers chosen from 2-4 and Papers 5 and 6. In Part II six papers are selected, only papers 1 and 2 being compulsory.