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UndergraduateHigher National DiplomaUCAS: 003W

Music

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
Thurso, Scotland
Visit University Website
2 yearsDuration
£8,925Per Year (Intl)
£7,440Home Fee
88%Satisfaction

Course Overview

The HND Music at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is a undergraduate programme designed for students passionate about expressing creativity and innovation. Based in Thurso, Scotland, this programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, with a 2-year full-time structure. Nurture your musical passions and pursue a dynamic career in popular or traditional music performance. Develop your understanding of the music industry and enhance your instrumental skills, with modules in first study instrument or composition, live performance, theory, graded units, and music business. Take the HNC as the first year of our BA (Hons) Popular Music, or use the HNC or HND to access the second or third years of the BA (Hons) Popular Music or BA (Hons) Applied Music. International tuition fees are £8,925 per year, home/UK fees are £7,440 per year, and a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 is required for admission. Graduates from this programme benefit from strong career prospects, with 88% student satisfaction rating, a median graduate salary of £17,500 within three years, and 85% of graduates in employment or further study.

What You'll Learn

First Study Instrument
Music Theory and Harmony
Live Performance Practice
Music Industry and Business
Composition and Songwriting
Audio Production and Recording
Ensemble Performance and Collaboration
Music Technology and DAWs
UCAS Code:003W
Academic Year:2026-27 entry
View on university website

Entry Requirements

🗣️ English Language Requirements

TestOverallLRWS
IELTS Academic65.55.55.55.5

L = Listening, R = Reading, W = Writing, S = Speaking

Tuition Fees & Funding

International Student Fee

£8,925

per year

Total Course Cost (2 years)£17,850

Home Student Fee

£7,440

regulated fee

Scholarships available for eligible students

Fees shown are for current entry. Fees may increase annually in line with inflation.

📊 OFFICIAL UK DATA

Graduate Outcomes

Based on official LEO data (HMRC tax records)

💰 Graduate Salaries — University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Time After GraduationLower Quartile SalaryMedian SalaryUpper Quartile Salary
3 years£10,000£13,500£18,000
5 years£14,000£19,500£24,500

UK subject average: £20,000 — sector benchmark across all UK universities

Graduate Salary vs UK Subject Average

This course
UK average
Salary 3 years after graduation▼ 32% below UK average salary
This course
£13,500
UK average
£20,000
Salary 5 years after graduation▼ Close to UK average salary
This course
£19,500
UK average
£20,000

Salary trend: ↑ up £6,000 from year 3 to year 5

Official Data

Salary figures are sourced from Discover Uni graduate outcomes data for this subject area at this provider (subject area: CAH25). These represent typical earnings and may not reflect this specific course. For official data, visit Discover Uni at Discover Uni.

💼 Employment Breakdown

55%Working
30%Studying
10%Work & Study
40%Professional Jobs
Official Data

Graduate employment outcomes are sourced directly from Discover Uni for this specific course and provider. For full details, visit Discover Uni at Discover Uni.

Student Satisfaction

Subject-level average

National Student Survey (NSS) results — undergraduate final-year students only

Teaching on my course
88%
Learning opportunities
88%
Assessment and feedback
88%
Academic support
91%
Organisation and management
82%
Learning resources
78%
Student voice
73%
Continuation rate% students continuing to year 2
60%

National Student Survey via Discover Uni.

Estimated Data

Source: Subject-level average for this provider

2 Scholarships Available

Matched to your course, level & nationality

Your nationality

Merit

Carnegie Undergraduate Vacation Scholarship

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) · Undergraduate

  • Available to all international students
  • For undergraduate study
  • Open to your course
Need-based

Thomas and Margaret Roddan Trust Bursary

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) · Undergraduate

  • Available to all international students
  • Open to your course
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

About University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offers Music as part of its comprehensive programme offerings.

—QS World
—UK Ranking
8,685+Students
98+Courses
TEF —
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