Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX
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Email:Admissions.Enquiries@RoyalHolloway.ac.uk
Phone:01784 414944
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Mathematics and Music
- BA (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 22/09/2025
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
“There is geometry in the humming of the strings. There is music in the spacing of the spheres.” – Pythagoras
Looking to keep your love of music alive whilst exploring the true breadth of mathematical ideas and methods? Since Pythagoras developed his theory of the unity of arithmetic, geometry and music around the fundamental laws of proportion and harmony, in the 6th century BC, the two disciplines have influenced and informed each other. They are both concerned with the creation, appreciation and analysis of abstract patterns and logical ideas. Our joint honours degree allows you to keep your career options open and pursue your mathematical and musical interests in a 50/50 split, under the guidance of inspiring teachers from both departments.
Throughout your course, you will have the flexibility to tailor your studies to your own particular interests. Alongside our core Mathematics modules in year 1, which will give you a thorough grounding in all the key methods and concepts that underpin the subject, we offer a wide range of practical and academic modules from one of UK's top music departments (Complete University Guide 2015). In years 2 and 3 this flexibility increases, allowing you to specialise in the areas of mathematics and music that interest you the most. You will develop your musicianship and mathematical skills to an advanced level, and gain a host of transferable skills such as data handling and analysis, logical thinking, communication, creativity and problem-solving.
Our Department of Mathematics is internationally renowned for its work in pure mathematics, information security, statistics and theoretical physics, and our joint BA programme spans pure and applied mathematics, statistics and probability. It also offers you to chance to carry out project work on chosen topics. Meanwhile, in the Department of Music, you will be able to pursue performance and composition whilst exploring the broader historical, sociological, ethnographic and philosophical elements of music. For keen singers and instrumentalists, we offer a wide range of exciting and diverse performance opportunities and you will have access to our well-equipped studios, practice rooms and recording facilities.
We offer a friendly and motivating learning environment and a strong focus on small group teaching and academic support. You will take part in group tutorials, problem-solving sessions, practical workshops and IT classes, as well as practical music lessons and lectures. You will also benefit from generous staff office hours and a dedicated personal adviser to guide you through your studies, plus a CV writing workshop and competitive work placement scheme.
Combine your love of mathematics and music and benefit from a varied and flexible, modular curriculum.
We are a friendly department with a strong focus on small group teaching.
Modules
Please refer to our website for information:
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/mathematics/mathematics-and-music.aspx
Assessment method
Your course will be assessed by a combination of examinations and in-course assignments in the form of essays or presentations.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 22/09/2025
Apply by
29 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- GW13
- Institution code:
- R72
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1, 2
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Royal Holloway, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
29 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- GW13
- Institution code:
- R72
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB - BBB
Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required.
Socio-economics factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.
Required subjects: A in Mathematics and A-level Music or pass in grade 7 Music Theory.
Applicants without A-level Music or pass in grade 7 Music Theory may be eligible for the Intensive Theory entry. This requires Music GCSE grade A/7 or equivalent, plus performance at ABRSM Grade 7 level. In term 1 you will be required to take Fundamentals of Music Theory, an intensive music literacy course.
Students wishing to take Solo Performance options will need to be of Grade 8 ABRSM level, or equivalent, on the selected instrument at point of entry.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted
Access to HE Diploma - D: 27 credits M: 18 credits
A pass in a relevant subject with at least 30 level 3 credits at Distinction, 15 of which must be in Maths units at Distinction. Plus A-level Maths grade A and either A- level Music grade A or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 ABRSM in performance.
Please note that the Access to Higher Education Diploma will only be acceptable if the applicant has had a considerable break from education.
Scottish Higher - AABBB
Including A in Maths and Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 ABRSM in performance.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DM
Plus A-level Maths grade A and pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 ABRSM in performance.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - M
Plus A-level Maths grade A and A-level Music grade B and Grade 7 ABRSM in performance.
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - DD
Plus A-level Maths grade A and either A-level Music grade A or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 ABRSM in performance.
Scottish Advanced Higher - ABB - ABC
Including A in Maths and Music at Advanced Higher or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 ABRSM in performance
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
6,5,5 at Higher Level, including 6 in Maths and Higher Level Music or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory, with a minimum of 32 points overall, and Grade 7 ABRSM in performance
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H3, H3, H3
Including H2 in Maths and Music at Higher Level or pass Grade 7 in Music Theory and Grade 7 ABRSM in performance.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
We require at least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9 - 4 including English and Mathematics.
Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us on study@royalholloway.ac.uk to discuss your situation
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.
Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London website
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £27500 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| International | £27500 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. The fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £9,535.
This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see fees and funding and the terms and conditions.
These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
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