Music

Entry requirements

Candidates must normally possess a degree at 2:2 or above, or an equivalent qualification or proven experience in Music

An example of work relevant to the applicant's study path is also required with the application. Anyone applying for more than one study path should provide examples of work in both areas. For more information on examples, including how to submit this with your application, please visit the University's website.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

The MMus in Music capitalises on research strength within the department of music and is intended for composers (vocal, instrumental, or electronic), performers, sonic artists, musicologists (of all kinds studying any genre) with a specific interest in an area of musical study.

The aim of the programme is threefold:

• To provide a natural development from undergraduate programmes, both within and outwith the University of Aberdeen, to postgraduate study in the university in the areas of composition, community music, musicology, music education, performance, or sonic arts or any combination of these paths;
• To help the students develop and explore options in their future career in academia or in industry;
• To continue to develop the research environment in the Department of Music.

At the centre of the MMus in Music is an extended project where the student can realise a large-scale project with support and supervision from specialist staff. The medium of the project will be determined by the student’s interests and research and our programme offers considerable flexibility in approach. This allows our students to build a significant portfolio of work that will work as a springboard toward their future career whether it is in their chosen industry or in academia.

In addition to the extended project, our students take a mix of compulsory and optional courses. The MMus Programme Coordinator discusses options with individual students to ensure the best fit between available courses and student interests. Our MMus students can design their study by selecting one or two study concentrations from four paths:

• Composition
• Musicology
• Performance
• Sonic Arts

Applicants must confirm in their application which area(s) they wish to specialise in.

The MMus in Music will serve the needs of graduates who may want to continue their studies at postgraduate level, either prior to employment or as a bridge to higher postgraduate qualifications. This programme will also offer an opportunity for those who have already worked for a number of years after their undergraduate or postgraduate study and would like to return to hone their chosen skills at university as part of their continuing professional development (either on a full-time or part-time basis).

Information for international students

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and funding

We are pleased to offer a range of scholarships and funding opportunities for our students. A full list of available funding opportunities is available on our Funding Database.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available here.

Alumni Discount Scheme - We are pleased to offer a 20% discount for postgraduate tuition fees to all alumni who have an undergraduate degree from the University of Aberdeen. Please note, the Aberdeen Alumni Discount cannot be claimed in conjunction with any other scholarship award. Learn more about the Aberdeen Alumni Discount here.