The Department of Music was founded in 1981. It provides a comprehensive tertiary education that integrates music scholarship, composition, and performance. It is part of the School of Humanities in the Faculty of Arts, and is affiliated with The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

The Department offers a wide range of undergraduate courses, including the history and analysis of Western music, Chinese music, world and popular music, film and electronic music, composition, and performance. Many of these courses are open to students in other disciplines, and some do not require previous musical training.

Postgraduate studies in musicology and composition are offered at the M.Phil. and Ph.D. levels. Postgraduate students benefit from the expertise of the Department's diverse faculty, as well as a vigorous programme of visiting musicians and scholars.

The Department promotes musical activities on campus through its lively HKU Concert Series. These performances and workshops are open to the University community as well as the general public, and feature both local and international artists.

The Department has excellent resources including a professional recording and electronic music studio, a computer lab, concert and rehearsal venues, practice rooms, and a large musical instrument collection.

Located in the historic Hung Hing Ying Building on the main campus along with the Music Library, the Department offers students the opportunity to develop their academic and musical talent in an intellectually stimulating and nurturing environment.