What do you need to study musicology?

What is musicology and what will you specialise in?

The Musicology is the academic discipline that studies music from a theoretical, historical, cultural and scientific perspective. It is not about learning to play an instrument, but about understanding music as a social, artistic and intellectual phenomenon: analysing works, researching historical sources, contextualising styles and movements, or exploring the role of music in different cultures and eras.

The discipline encompasses several branches:

• Historical musicology: studies the evolution of music, styles, composers and their contexts over time.
• Ethnomusicology: analyses traditional and folk music in relation to society and cultural identity.
• Systematic musicology: examines music from the perspectives of acoustics, psychology, aesthetics and computational music.
• Applied musicology: focused on the practical application of musical knowledge in education, cultural management or research.

A graduate in Musicology can work in cultural management, teaching, music criticism, specialised archives and libraries, the media or academic research. It is, in short, a degree programme offering a highly versatile career path within the cultural sector.

What academic requirements do you need to gain entry to the Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology?

Admission to the Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology is governed by the general regulations for admission to Spanish universities, as set out in Article 15 of Royal Decree 822/2021 of 28 September, which establishes the organisation of university education and the procedure for ensuring its quality.

This means that there is no compulsory musical aptitude test for entry. The entry routes are exactly the same as for any other official university degree in Spain.

1. Sixth-form + EBAU (University Entrance Examination). This is the most common route. You must have passed the University Entrance Examination. In the specific phase of the EBAU, subjects such as Music Analysis, History of Music and Dance, or History of Art may be given extra weight, depending on the university.
2. Higher Vocational Training Qualification. Holding a Higher Vocational Training Qualification, a Higher Vocational Qualification in Visual Arts and Design, or a Higher Vocational Qualification in Sports also entitles you to apply directly for a place.
3. Entrance examinations for those aged 25 and 45 and over. If you do not have the qualifications mentioned above, you can gain entry by passing the specific entrance examinations for people aged 25 or 45 and over.
4. University graduates. Holding a Bachelor’s degree, a Diploma, a Licentiate degree, a Technical Engineer’s degree, an Engineer’s degree or an Architect’s degree allows you to enrol on a new degree course without any further restrictions.
5. People aged 40 and over with professional experience. There is a specific route for applicants who do not hold a qualifying academic qualification but who can demonstrate work or professional experience relevant to the degree programme and who are aged 40 or over.
6. International students. Students holding a Baccalaureate from an education system within the European Union or from countries with international agreements with Spain may enrol provided that their education system grants access to university. Those from other countries must have their qualifications recognised and, if necessary, pass the relevant entrance examinations.

Do you need prior musical knowledge to study musicology?

No. The Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology does not require any conservatoire qualification or accredited musical knowledge as an entry requirement. Anyone who meets the general academic requirements may apply.

However, the curriculum does include technical modules on musical theory, analysis and harmony. If you have no prior background, the start of the course may prove more challenging than for those with musical experience.

To address this, the UAX Online Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology includes a 2 ECTS ‘Introduction to Musical Theory’ course designed specifically for students with no prior experience in the field of music. The course offers:

• Theoretical material for each unit.
• Recorded webinars and practical reinforcement exercises.
• Support from a tutor via messaging and synchronous consultations.
• The content covers the fundamentals of music theory, rhythm (rhythmic figures and time signatures), melody (scales and key signatures) and harmony within the tonal system. A solid foundation to tackle the degree with complete confidence.

What are the admission criteria for the BA in Musicology at UAX?

Meeting the entry requirements is the first step, but not the only one. At UAX, admission to the Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology is determined by a combination of two factors:

The admission tests consist of two parts:

• TCAP© test (Test of Academic and Personal Competencies): this assesses skills relevant to university study, such as reading comprehension, reasoning and work organisation.
• Language test: English for candidates whose mother tongue is Spanish, and Spanish for candidates whose mother tongue is another language.
• There are 100 places available for new students each academic year. As places are limited, it is recommended that you begin the application process well in advance.

For students with special educational needs arising from a disability, UAX offers support and advisory services to assess possible curricular adjustments or alternative study pathways.

Can you have credits recognised for previous musical studies or experience?

Yes. UAX’s Online Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology offers two routes for credit recognition, which can significantly reduce the duration of your studies if you already have an academic or professional background in music.

Recognition of your own qualifications: up to 15 ECTS

If you have completed non-accredited university-level studies related to the field of music, you can apply for the recognition of up to 15 ECTS in core subjects within the field of study, Communication in a Foreign Language (English) and subjects from the optional module.

Recognition based on work or professional experience: up to 36 ECTS

If you have accredited professional experience in the music industry, you may apply for the recognition of up to 36 credits. The equivalence is 6 ECTS credits for each year of full-time experience (or the equivalent in part-time work).

The recognised fields include: music teaching, musical performance, music management and production, music criticism, music documentation and composition.

The modules eligible for recognition based on work experience are:

To apply for credit recognition, you will need to provide your employment history certificate issued by the Social Security, company certificates and other supporting documents. The process may be completed with an interview with the teaching staff to verify the acquisition of skills.

What kind of student is best suited to the Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology?

There is no single, exclusive profile. Musicology is an interdisciplinary field that attracts a wide variety of people. That said, this degree tends to be a particularly good fit if:

• You have an intellectual curiosity about music that goes beyond performance or composition.
• You enjoy analysing the cultural, historical and social context surrounding musical works.
• You are interested in the humanities, art history or the social sciences as they relate to culture.
• You want to work in the cultural sector: concert halls, museums, archives, festivals, as a critic or in teaching.
• You already play an instrument or sing, but want to deepen your theoretical and academic knowledge.
• You’re looking for a flexible online degree programme that you can balance with your professional or personal life.

You don’t need to be an expert in all these areas from the outset. The degree programme is specifically designed to help you develop these skills over the course of the four-year programme.

The UAX Online Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology: what sets it apart

The UAX Online Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology is an official university programme worth 240 ECTS credits (4 years) that enables you to study music as an art form, a language and a cultural driving force from a multidisciplinary perspective. It combines academic rigour with professional application, integrating the historical, analytical and cultural dimensions of music.

The teaching staff comprises musicologists with PhDs, researchers, composers and practising performers, ensuring that the programme is directly linked to the realities of the sector.

The programme is 100 per cent online, with a flexible methodology supported by technical and pedagogical advisers. This allows students to balance their studies with other commitments without compromising on the quality of their education.

The main career opportunities include:

• Teaching at conservatoires and educational institutions.
• Cultural management in concert halls, foundations and theatres.
• Archives, libraries and music documentation centres.
• Music criticism and journalism.
• Academic and university research.
• Cataloguing and conservation of musical heritage.

Summary

To study musicology in Spain, the entry requirements are the same as for any undergraduate degree: a Baccalaureate with a pass in the EBAU, an Advanced Vocational Training (FP) qualification, entrance examinations for those aged 25 or 45 and over, a previous university degree, or proof of professional experience for those aged 40 and over. No musical entrance examination is required. At UAX, admission to the Online Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology is based on a combination of academic record (70 per cent) and entrance examinations (30 per cent), with 100 places available per academic year. If you already have musical experience, you can have up to 36 ECTS credits recognised for work experience or up to 15 ECTS credits for relevant qualifications. And if you have no musical background, the 2 ECTS introductory course in musical theory will ensure you’re fully prepared from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is there a minimum entry mark for the Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology? There is no fixed, published minimum entry mark. Admission at UAX is based on a combination of academic record (70 per cent) and entrance examinations (30 per cent). With 100 places available per academic year, it is advisable to start the application process well in advance.
• Can I study musicology without knowing music theory or musical notation? Yes. No prior musical knowledge is required for entry. The UAX Online Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology includes a 2 ECTS introductory course in music theory designed for students with no prior background.
• How long does the Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology at UAX last? Four years, totalling 240 ECTS credits, delivered 100 per cent online.
• Can I enrol on the degree programme if I am over 40 and do not hold a university degree? Yes. There is an admission route for applicants who can demonstrate professional experience relevant to the degree and who are aged 40 or over.
• What documents do I need to have credits recognised for work experience? A certificate of employment history issued by the Social Security, company certificates and other supporting documents. The process may be completed with an interview with the UAX teaching staff.

Sources:

• Royal Decree 822/2021 of 28 September (BOE) , establishing the organisation of university education and the procedure for ensuring its quality.
• Online Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology – UAX