History And Music

Highlights

Study in a historical environment - a Grade I listed building. The range of modules allow you to learn about the historical periods or themes that interest you most. Capitalise on our world-leading expertise in performance, composition and musicology alongside exploring history from prehistory to modern history.

Steeped in history, North Wales offers fieldtrips to the castles and town walls of King Edward in Gwynedd, Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, all UNESCO World Heritage sites. Dynamic music-making community with choirs and orchestras bands, student ensembles, and student societies for music and the dramatic arts plus archaeology and Medieval re-enactment societies. Our music facilities include dedicated practice facilities, electroacoustic studios, and incredible spaces to perform and attend music and performances.

Course overview

Combining your interest in the past with your love of music could help you grow as a historian, musician, composer, consumer or critic. This History and Music degree allows you to delve into the origins of your favourite musical styles whilst learning about historical events of the past. Our degree in History and Music is deliberately flexible, allowing you to pursue your passions and interests with a choice of modules in both subjects.

You’ll learn to research, seek out information, think critically, evaluate, provide analysis, come up with ideas, be critical of accepted opinion, and construct your own effective arguments. You can discover how the music you study impacted society and culture in its day - and how it continues to be part of the current cultural conversation. We have strengths in both medieval and modern history.

In medieval and early modern history, strengths encompass the Normans and Anglo-Normans; Welsh princes, Tudors, and Stuarts. Our expertise in modern and contemporary history includes nationalism, the labour movement, consumerism, poverty, government policy, and gender. In Music key strengths lie in Early Music, 20th- and 21st-century music (including popular music), critical editing of music, Welsh music, sonic arts, composition (acoustic and acousmatic), and contemporary and interactive performance.

We enjoy close links with leading organisations such as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Bangor is an ideal place to study History and our expertise spans the early medieval period, right through to the contemporary world. The oldest city in Wales, Bangor’s Cathedral is located on a site used for Christian worship since the sixth century, while Bangor Pier provided access to and from passenger ferries as far back as 1292.

You can explore the Segontium Roman Fort, medieval Caernarfon Castle. Meanwhile, the island of Anglesey is home to the prehistoric burial ground and Neolithic chambered tomb of Bryn Celli Ddu Caer Gybi, and Beaumaris Castle - the last in the ‘iron ring’ of imposing castles built by Edward I. Music gives you an opportunity to develop your skills as a musician or composer.

You'll learn to understand and critically engage with music as a crucial element of wider culture, historically and in contemporary discourse. You can also develop your skills with musical theory and practice, from Renaissance polyphony and the classical style to electroacoustic composition and songwriting. Read more Course options

Placement year

What is the Placement Year? This exciting opportunity allows you to spend a year working with a self-sourced, professional organisation relevant to your studies. You'll typically start between June and September of your second year and finish by the following June or September.

Placements can be UK-based or even overseas. Why choose a Placement Year? Gain practical experience that complements your academic learning Make valuable industry contacts that could open doors for future careers Strengthen your employability by gaining real-world experience.

How does the Placement Year work? With…