Music

Entry requirements

Our standard admissions requirements are a 2:1 or higher (or equivalent) in an undergraduate Music degree. We are open to considering candidates from other backgrounds, however, and would encourage you to get in touch with us to discuss how you can provide evidence of your suitability for this course in your application.

For applications to all pathways, you will need to submit:

One sample of written work (2,000 words) on a musicological topic, broadly defined. This can be an extract from longer pieces of coursework, but should be edited appropriately. Where possible, the topic and approach of your submitted work should match your chosen pathway (for example, an ethnomusicological essay for the Ethnomusicology pathway, a performance essay for the Performance pathway). If you do not have a sample of work related to your pathway, please use the personal statement to explain and give evidence of your interest in the field).

A personal statement explaining your interest in the MA programme, your choice of pathway, what skills, knowledge and experience you can bring to the programme, what skills, knowledge and experience you hope to acquire, and an indication of your planned area of research (no more than 500 words).

Applicants wishing to take the composition pathway with the modules Compositional Techniques (MUSI40430) and Composition Portfolio (MUSI42560) should be aware of the requirement to satisfy the following prerequisite:

• We require evidence of standard at least equivalent to a strong 2:1 degree final-year composition portfolio. A portfolio of two or three contrasting works of ten to 15 minutes total duration must be submitted to demonstrate that the applicant is of the required level.

Applicants wishing to take the performance pathway, with the module Performance Project (MUSI42660) should be aware of the requirement to satisfy the following prerequisite:

• We require evidence of standard at least equivalent to a strong 2:1 degree final-year performance recital. A video recording of between 10 and 12 minutes must be submitted to demonstrate that the applicant is of the required level.

Months of entry

October

Course content

The MA in Music embraces your passion for music whether you perform, compose or aim to understand and research music in its many forms and study its impact on societies and cultures across the globe.

The course prepares you to study music through the selection of a specialism from a range that includes musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, performance, and music psychology.

You will take a core module which focuses on the methods used to research and understand music and its performance within a Higher Education context. This module also provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to carry out independent research at Master's level and introduces the contemporary intellectual issues in music research.

Depending on your proposed specialism, you will also select a pathway module chosen from up to five options. This could be from musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, performance or music psychology.

You will also produce a major project in the form of a dissertation, portfolio of compositions or a performance that is related to your chosen specialism.

We pride ourselves on being one of the leading music departments in the UK, offering innovative courses and producing cutting-edge music research in musicology, analysis, music technology, music psychology, ethnomusicology, composition, and performance.

As a postgraduate, you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities that include recording studios, practice and rehearsal rooms, our concert room and an instrument collection. In addition, the University library contains a wide collection of books, scores, and CDs, and offers a rich range of online resources.

Course structure

Core module: Research Methods and Resources provides an introduction to music research and to training in research methods and resources. This module will encourage critical thinking around music research within a framework of the existing professional standards and conventions.

Specialisms:

Up to five specialisms may be offered each year:

• Musicology
• Ethnomusicology
• Composition
• Performance
• Music Psychology

You will study a module from the selection below which corresponds to your chosen specialism:

• Contemporary Musicology
• Ethnomusicology in Practice and Theory
• Compositional Techniques
• Music Performance
• Advanced Topics in Music Psychology

You will study a further module, which is, again, linked to your chosen specialism.

Dissertation. To be taken if you are specialising in musicology, ethnomusicology or music psychology.

Portfolio of Compositions. To be produced if you are specialising in composition.

Performance Project. To be selected if you are specialising in music performance.

You will also select from the following modules, which have previously included:

• Advanced Musical Analysis
• Audiovisual Documentation and Analysis
• Special Topic in Music
• Contemporary Musicology (30 credits)
• Advanced Projects in Stylistic Composition and Arranging
• Ethnomusicology in Practice and Theory (30 credits)
• Research Experience in Music
• Computer Music (15 credits)
• Additional Music undergraduate modules, and/or undergraduate language module in the Centre for Foreign Language Study or from another Department.

Information for international students

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Fees and funding

For further information see the course listing.