Course overview
Our Folk and Traditional Music degree was the first of its kind in England. The programme focuses on the traditional music and song of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. National and international artists teach as regular and guest tutors on this degree.
Performance and group playing is at the heart of this course, but you will also study the social and cultural context of traditional and folk music, and how music helps to construct identity and culture.
As you progress through the degree you will have increasing freedom to choose modules to tailor your studies, including from our contemporary and popular and classical music degrees. Our partnership with Sage Gateshead is a strong feature of the course, with some of the teaching taking place there, as well as a wealth of performance opportunities.
After Stage 2 you can spend a year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions, making this a four-year degree. Please be aware that this is usually subject to you achieving an average of 60% or more across the first three semesters of the programme.
Teaching methods
To bring out the best in you, we use different forms of teaching for the range of approaches to music we cover.
Some modules are based around lectures and seminars, with reading or listening assignments, others are smaller specialised study groups.
Performance modules are often a combination of one-to-one tuition, group workshops and specialist masterclasses.
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.
If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year.
Please
September 2025
Main Site (Newcastle)
King's Gate,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
Northumberland,
NE1 7RU, NORTHERN ENGLAND, England
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Newcastle University offers an internationally respected qualification, and a graduate employment rate of 94 per cent.