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Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts

Music Foundation

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom · UCAS W300

  • Level

    Bachelor

  • Duration

    1 year

  • Campus

    Main Site

  • Intl. Tuition

    £37,455 (Fee 2026-27 · 2027-28 not yet published)

  • Intake

    September 2027

  • UCAS code

    W300

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Course Overview

Music Foundation at Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts in Cambridge, England, United Kingdom is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.

  • Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
  • Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
  • Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
  • Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
  • Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.

Career snapshot (indicative)

Music graduates pursue careers as performers, composers, music educators, music therapists, recording producers and arts administrators. A portfolio career combining performance, teaching and production is typical, particularly for conservatoire graduates.

Student life (indicative)

Cambridge offers a quintessential UK student experience — beautiful architecture, river punting, celebrated student societies, and a lively town centre with great pubs, markets and cultural venues.

The University at a Glance

Student Population

12,000

Staff Ratio

19.0:1

International

12.0%

Career Prospects

Avg Starting Salary

£26,070

First-year earnings

Costs & Living

Intl. Tuition

£37,455

per year, Fee 2026-27 · 2027-28 not yet published Official fee page

City & Location

Small city (50k-199k inhabitants)

Course Curriculum

Year 1

  • Foundations of Music Foundation
  • Academic and Research Skills
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Introduction to Theory and Practice
  • Optional language or breadth module.

Entry Requirements

Subjects

  • Acting
  • Music performance
  • Music composition
  • Music theory
  • Music history
  • Singing

Assessment Methods

Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.

Campus & City Life

Student Population

12,000

Total students

Staff Ratio

19:1

Students per staff

International Students

12%

Of student body

Campus at a Glance

City Size

Small city (50k-199k inhabitants)

Climate (indicative)

Cool temperate

Safety Index (indicative)

8.0/10

Transport

Moderate (coach or indirect connections)

Social Scene

Friendly community | Academic / intellectual | Professional / career networks | Creative arts scene

Student Life & City (indicative)

Cambridge offers a quintessential UK student experience — beautiful architecture, river punting, celebrated student societies, and a lively town centre with great pubs, markets and cultural venues.

  • Cambridge offers a quintessential UK student experience — beautiful architecture, river punting, celebrated student societies, and a lively town centre with great pubs, markets and cultural venues.

What Students Love

  • Historic city & heritage
  • Rich arts & cultural scene
  • Great café culture
  • Parks & green spaces

University Stats

Total Students12,000
Student-to-Staff Ratio19:1
International Students12%
Safety Index (indicative)8.0/10

Career & Outcomes

Avg Starting Salary

£26,070

Average first-year salary

Placement Year

✗ Not offered

Industry work experience

Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)

Music graduates pursue careers as performers, composers, music educators, music therapists, recording producers and arts administrators. A portfolio career combining performance, teaching and production is typical, particularly for conservatoire graduates.

  • Music graduates pursue careers as performers, composers, music educators, music therapists, recording producers and arts administrators.
  • A portfolio career combining performance, teaching and production is typical, particularly for conservatoire graduates.

Top Industries for Graduates

  • Business
  • Healthcare
  • Education

Study Abroad Opportunities

Y

  • Y

Costs & Living Expenses

Intl. Tuition

£37,455

per year, Fee 2026-27 · 2027-28 not yet published Official fee page

Overall Cost of Living (indicative)

HIGH

This location has a higher cost of living. Budget accordingly for accommodation, food, and general expenses.

Estimated Annual Costs

Tuition (International)£37,455per year, Fee 2026-27 · 2027-28 not yet published Official fee page

Monthly Student Budget (indicative)

Housing£797/mo
Food & Groceries£280/mo
Transport£79/mo
Estimated Monthly Total£1,343
Annual living costs£16,116/yr

Cost Overview (indicative)

In the higher range for UK student costs — expect around $1,700/month (housing $1,010, food $355, transport $100). A comfortable student lifestyle at costs well below London and the South East.

  • In the higher range for UK student costs — expect around $1,700/month (housing $1,010, food $355, transport $100).
  • A comfortable student lifestyle at costs well below London and the South East.