Psychology of Music

Explore fundamental questions about music and its central place in our lives on the longest established music psychology programme in the UK. Our interdisciplinary approach offers a unique perspective on music and rigorous training in research techniques.

Course description

You'll cover the key areas and debates in music psychology and become proficient in psychological research techniques on this course. You'll receive a rich grounding in areas such as music cognition, the neuroscience of music, music education, music therapy and wellbeing, music in our everyday lives and psychological approaches to performance.

You'll specialise within an area of your choice and pursue original research leading to a dissertation. The course is taught by widely-published and leading experts in the field who will guide and support you in your work.

This MA offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop your insight into music and musical experience, which will help to shape your career, whether you go on to be a researcher, teacher or practitioner.

Our department has a vibrant community of academics and students and, between us, we cover an extraordinary range of specialisms and interests. We currently have large projects on wellbeing and ageing, orchestras and the cultural life of Sheffield during the Covid-19 pandemic.

We have internationally recognised research centres such as SPARC (Sheffield Performer and Audience Research Centre), Music, Mind and Machine and other research clusters (in music and wellbeing, creativity in music and musical time). These act as focal points, not only for students doing research in the department but for staff working on projects too. Our staff are also involved in consultancy work that help them to keep abreast of what the arts and cultural sectors need from academics.

Accreditation

We are an All-Steinway School.