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Welcome to Music at Durham

We have been consistently rated as one of the top UK music departments running in The Complete University Guide and Guardian University League Table.

Find out more about us
6th in the UK for Research Output Quality in Music, Research Excellence Framework 2021
Athena Swan
Athena Swan Bronze Award since 2018
Top Ten
Top Ten Complete University Guide 2024
6th in the Times / Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
QS World University Rankings 2024

World-leading status affirmed in QS World University Rankings 2024

Durham is now ranked 78th in the world top 100 universities. We are also ranked joint 30th in a new category of Sustainability, and 50th in the Employer Reputation category.

Learn more about the QS World University Rankings

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.
A person onstage reading a book during a lunchtime concert

 

 

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
Music Students Work in the Electroacoustic Studio

 

 

What's new?

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  • IWD at Durham University's Music Department

    MA student Aliyah Ramatally talks about her experience of organising the Music Department's live streaming concert to celebrate International Women's Day 2023.
    Celebrating Women in Music 2023 - Aliyah Ramatally
  • Durham Lecturers Mark Lindisfarne Gospels’ Return to the North East in Music

    Durham Music Department lecturers James Weeks and Katherine Hambridge recently took part in the opening concerts of the Royal Northern Sinfonia’s season at the Sage Gateshead, which were programmed to mark the exhibition of the Lindisfarne Gospels at Newcastle’s Laing Gallery.
    Panel for the 19 September (L-R): Jaswinder Singh, Stu Herring, Katherine Hambridge, Helen Savage
  • “in One |1” by Eric Skytterholm Egan recorded

    “in One |1” (2015-19), written by Dr. Eric Skytterholm Egan was recently performed and recorded by world-leading guitarist Diego Castro Magas at the Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile.
    in One | 1 by Eric Skytterholm Egan
  • Austin Glatthorn’s monograph published by CUP

    We are delighted to celebrate the publication of Dr Austin Glatthorn’s monograph, Music Theatre and the Holy Roman Empire. Now an Honorary Fellow, Austin completed the book with us at Durham during his time as British Academy Newton International Fellow, working with Dr Katherine Hambridge.
    Austin Glatthorn’s new book 2022
  • Durham student becomes Canadian Music Laureate

    PhD Music student Rita Ueda has been awarded the prestigious title of 2022 Laureate for the Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music. Offered by the Azrieli Foundation, this is the most coveted title for composers in Canada.
    2022 Canadian Music Laureate
  • Are rhythmic preferences shared across cultures?

    New research led by Dr Kelly Jakubowski suggests that preferences for synchrony in groove-based music may be universal, whereas preferences for isochrony are more culturally dependent.
    Are rhythmic preferences shared across cultures?
  • 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.
    Steinway D in the Music Department Concert Room

Durham Lecturers Mark Lindisfarne Gospels’ Return to the North East in Music

Durham Music Department lecturers James Weeks and Katherine Hambridge recently took part in the opening concerts of the Royal Northern Sinfonia’s season at the Sage Gateshead, which were programmed to mark the exhibition of the Lindisfarne Gospels at Newcastle’s Laing Gallery.
Panel for the 19 September (L-R): Jaswinder Singh, Stu Herring, Katherine Hambridge, Helen Savage

“in One |1” by Eric Skytterholm Egan recorded

“in One |1” (2015-19), written by Dr. Eric Skytterholm Egan was recently performed and recorded by world-leading guitarist Diego Castro Magas at the Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile.
in One | 1 by Eric Skytterholm Egan

Austin Glatthorn’s monograph published by CUP

We are delighted to celebrate the publication of Dr Austin Glatthorn’s monograph, Music Theatre and the Holy Roman Empire. Now an Honorary Fellow, Austin completed the book with us at Durham during his time as British Academy Newton International Fellow, working with Dr Katherine Hambridge.
Austin Glatthorn’s new book 2022

Durham student becomes Canadian Music Laureate

PhD Music student Rita Ueda has been awarded the prestigious title of 2022 Laureate for the Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music. Offered by the Azrieli Foundation, this is the most coveted title for composers in Canada.
2022 Canadian Music Laureate

Are rhythmic preferences shared across cultures?

New research led by Dr Kelly Jakubowski suggests that preferences for synchrony in groove-based music may be universal, whereas preferences for isochrony are more culturally dependent.
Are rhythmic preferences shared across cultures?

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.
Steinway D in the Music Department Concert Room

Silver Prize in 2023 World Classical Music Awards

Durham University's Music Department is proud to announce that PhD student Betsy Hou has been awarded the Silver Prize in Romantic category in 2023 World Classical Music Awards.
Betsy Hou silver prize news

IWD at Durham University's Music Department

MA student Aliyah Ramatally talks about her experience of organising the Music Department's live streaming concert to celebrate International Women's Day 2023.
Celebrating Women in Music 2023 - Aliyah Ramatally

New study sheds fresh light on how emotions are expressed in music

In a new study, Durham researchers have investigated how a vast number of musical cues can help shape different emotions in music.
A person sitting at a laptop displaying the Emote Control programme

O Come All Ye Faithful - Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Christmas Carol

The well known Christmas carol 'O Come All Ye Faithful' is sung at festive services across the country but music expert Professor Bennett Zon claims that many people probably don’t realise that the popular song has distinctive political roots.
Sheet music with red jingle bells laid on top

Upcoming events

Postgraduate Online Open Week

Monday 23 October 2023 - Friday 27 October 2023
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Online
Student on laptop

Postgraduate Open Day

Wednesday 29 November 2023 - Wednesday 29 November 2023
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Teaching and Learning Centre, Durham University
New students and parents walking out of the Teaching and Learning Centre

Questions about studying here?

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

Your Durham prospectus

Order your personalised prospectus and College guide here.

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.

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