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Department of Music

Durham University's Music Department has internationally recognised research expertise in a wide variety of topics including musicology, theory and analysis, ethnomusicology, music psychology, performance, composition, and music technology.
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Welcome to Music at Durham

We have been consistently rated as one of the top UK music departments in The Complete University Guide and Guardian University League Table.

Find out more about us
6th in the UK for Research Output Quality in Music, Research Excellence Framework 2021
Athena Swan
Athena Swan Bronze Award since 2022
3rd
3rd The Complete University Guide 2025
2nd in the Times / Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
QS World University Rankings 2024

World-leading status affirmed in QS World University Rankings 2025

Durham is now ranked 89th in the world top 100 universities. Our top performance came in the Sustainability category, where we ranked 19th in the world. We also have a world-class reputation with employers, being ranked 65th.

Learn more about the QS World University Rankings

Study with us

  

Undergraduate Study

Our expertise in this area impacts the lives of our students and many others, beyond Durham.
TAPPUCINO by DIM and Buttered Toast live performance

Postgraduate Study

The Music Department’s vibrant postgraduate research environment attracts high-calibre applicants from all over the world.
A person onstage reading a book during a lunchtime concert

 

 

Work with us

The Department of Music is one of the very best UK Music Departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students.

Ranked #3 in REF2014, the Department of Music has internationally renowned research strengths in interdisciplinary research in musicology, theory and analysis, ethnomusicology, music psychology, performance, composition, and music technology.
See our recruitment pages for more opportunities
Music Students Work in the Electroacoustic Studio

 

 

What's new?

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Alexandros Spyrou’s ‘intra-’ performed at mise-en festival in New York

Dr. Alexandros Spyrou has recently returned from New York City, where his composition ‘intra-’ was featured at the 2024 mise-en festival.

Durham news
Looking sassy

Alexandros Spyrou directs Delian Academy for New Music 2024

Alexandros Spyrou, founder of the Delian Academy for New Music, has this year been directing the academy once again to great success!
Durham news
Group Photo

MUSICON - Ábifruvvá (2023)

A new video is now available to watch online. Eric Skytterholm Egan’s “Ábifruvvá”, premiered by Marie Schreer and John Garner in Durham Town Hall last year, explores how the past is linked to the present through our relationship with the sea.
Research news
Violin

Transformative Humanities framework launched

Durham University's Transformative Humanities launched yesterday and gathered more than 130 researchers, colleagues, students, and partners from across the region and beyond to celebrate this new interdisciplinary framework.
Research news
Transformative Humanities launch news banner

A new 3-year Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship awarded to our Music Department

Dr Caroline Curwen has been awarded a prestigious Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship with us here at Durham University to investigate Synaesthesia's impact on musical imagination.
Research news
Headshot

App brings Alice in Wonderland to our Botanic Garden

Our Botanic Garden just got “curiouser and curiouser” with the introduction of an interactive family game based on classic children’s story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Research news
A mobile phone camera view of a woman and child on the grass next to a giant ant sculpture with AR artwork superimposed on the picture

Ekmeles release recording of James Weeks’ Primo Libro

Dr James Weeks’ vocal ensemble work Primo Libro has been recorded by the New York-based Ekmeles and released on New Focus Recordings in February 2024.
Durham news
Medaille portrait
More departmental news

‘Creating Connection’ through world class musical performances

Our professional concert series MUSICON is returning for its 56th season, celebrating the way that music brings us closer together as a community.

Musicon 24/25

Dr Kelly Jakubowski receives Early Career Award

Congratulations to Dr Kelly Jakubowski who received an Early Career Award from the Society for Music Perception and Cognition (SMPC).
Academic receiving an award

Alexandros Spyrou’s ‘intra-’ performed at mise-en festival in New York

Dr. Alexandros Spyrou has recently returned from New York City, where his composition ‘intra-’ was featured at the 2024 mise-en festival.
Looking sassy

  • MUSICON - Ábifruvvá (2023)

    A new video is now available to watch online. Eric Skytterholm Egan’s “Ábifruvvá”, premiered by Marie Schreer and John Garner in Durham Town Hall last year, explores how the past is linked to the present through our relationship with the sea.
    Research news
    Violin

  • Transformative Humanities framework launched

    Durham University's Transformative Humanities launched yesterday and gathered more than 130 researchers, colleagues, students, and partners from across the region and beyond to celebrate this new interdisciplinary framework.
    Research news
    Transformative Humanities launch news banner

  • A new 3-year Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship awarded to our Music Department

    Dr Caroline Curwen has been awarded a prestigious Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship with us here at Durham University to investigate Synaesthesia's impact on musical imagination.
    Research news
    Headshot

MUSICON - Ábifruvvá (2023)

A new video is now available to watch online. Eric Skytterholm Egan’s “Ábifruvvá”, premiered by Marie Schreer and John Garner in Durham Town Hall last year, explores how the past is linked to the present through our relationship with the sea.

Violin

Transformative Humanities framework launched

Durham University's Transformative Humanities launched yesterday and gathered more than 130 researchers, colleagues, students, and partners from across the region and beyond to celebrate this new interdisciplinary framework.
Transformative Humanities launch news banner

A new 3-year Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship awarded to our Music Department

Dr Caroline Curwen has been awarded a prestigious Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship with us here at Durham University to investigate Synaesthesia's impact on musical imagination.
Headshot

Upcoming events

In Echo: Music in a Cold Climate – sounds of Hansa Europe

Tuesday 12 November 2024 - Tuesday 12 November 2024
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Elvet Methodist Church, 8 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HL
Gawain Glenton, cornett player and director of In Echo

Songs from Japan

Wednesday 13 November 2024 - Wednesday 13 November 2024
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Durham University Department of Music, Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RL
Miku Yasukawa

Inventions: the harpsichord across time and borders

Wednesday 20 November 2024 - Wednesday 20 November 2024
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Durham University Department of Music, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RL
Katarzyna Kowalik standing in front of a harpsicord in an evening dress

EXAUDI: The Mirror of Speculation

Tuesday 28 January 2025 - Tuesday 28 January 2025
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Elvet Methodist Church, 8 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HL
The EXAUDI ensemble
See all events

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We strive to provide innovative, research-led teaching that will assist our students to achieve their full potential as thinking, creative musicians and scholars.

Department of Music
Durham University
Palace Green
Durham
DH1 3RL
UK