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Department of Music

Durham University's Music Department has internationally recognised research expertise in a wide variety of topics including musicology, theory and analysis, ethnomusicology, music psychology, performance, composition, and music technology.
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Welcome to Music at Durham

We have been rated as the top UK music department for four years running in The Complete University Guide (2018 - 2021) and for three of the past four years in The Sunday Times Good University Guide Table (2018, 2019 and 2021).

We also ranked first in the Guardian University League Table in 2019 and 2021.

Find out more about us
2nd in UK Complete University University Guide 2023
1st Nationally Times / Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019 and 2021
1st in Subject Guardian University Guide 2019, 2021 & 2022
6th in the UK for Research Output Quality in Music, Research Excellence Framework 2021

Study with us

  • Undergraduate Study

    Our expertise in this area impacts the lives of our students and many others, beyond Durham.

    TAPPUCINO by DIM and Buttered Toast live performance

  • Postgraduate Study

    The Music Department’s vibrant postgraduate research environment attracts high-calibre applicants from all over the world.

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Undergraduate Study

Our expertise in this area impacts the lives of our students and many others, beyond Durham.

TAPPUCINO by DIM and Buttered Toast live performance

Postgraduate Study

The Music Department’s vibrant postgraduate research environment attracts high-calibre applicants from all over the world.

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Work with us

The Department of Music is one of the very best UK Music Departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students.

Ranked #3 in REF2014, the Department of Music has internationally renowned research strengths in interdisciplinary research in musicology, theory and analysis, ethnomusicology, music psychology, performance, composition, and music technology.
See our recruitment pages for more opportunities
Chamber Choir masterclass with Owain Park

What's new?

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Music Department in the All-Steinway School

The Music Department is proud to announce that we are now part of the largest All-Steinway School in the nation.

Durham news
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Sutton Trust Summer School Programme

We are pleased to announce that the Music Department is involved in the Sutton Trust summer schools scheme, which is designed to give bright students from under-represented backgrounds an experience of studying at a leading university.
Durham news
The Sutton Trust Logo

Professor Peter Manning

It is with great sadness that the Music Department shares the news of the death of Emeritus Professor Peter Manning.
Durham news
Professor Peter Manning
More departmental news

Music Department in the All-Steinway School

The Music Department is proud to announce that we are now part of the largest All-Steinway School in the nation.

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World première "Amérique du Sud" by Richard RIJNVOS

On 9 April 2022 the NTR ZaterdagMatinee will present the world première of Richard Rijnvos' "Amérique du Sud".
Concert

Sutton Trust Summer School Programme

We are pleased to announce that the Music Department is involved in the Sutton Trust summer schools scheme, which is designed to give bright students from under-represented backgrounds an experience of studying at a leading university.
The Sutton Trust Logo

How our brains instantly recognise music

The recent Wordle spinoff, Heardle, challenges players to identify popular songs from short music clips. Dr Kelly Jakubowski from Music explains the science behind why people love this new game.

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Get in touch

We strive to provide innovative, research-led teaching that will assist our students to achieve their full potential as thinking, creative musicians and scholars.

  • General Enquiries
  • Music Undergraduate and Postgraduate Enquiries

    • Department of Music
    Durham University
    Palace Green
    Durham
    DH1 3RL
    UK

    Questions about studying here?

    Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.

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