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University of Birmingham: Music (Musicology and Sound Studies pathway)
| Institution | University of Birmingham View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music View department profile |
| Web | www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/arts-law-graduate-school |
| Study type | Taught |
MA
Summary
Deepen your understanding of how music has developed across time and different cultures by exploring musicology and sound studies.
Explore the history of music across the globe and gain valuable analytical skills.
Choose from a range of optional modules to build your degree around your specific interests. Explore musical topics in depth, gaining industry-specific and transferable skills to prepare for your future career.
Combine teaching with opportunities to be inspired by live music on campus and in the city. Whichever music period you're fascinated by, discover weekly free lunchtime concerts at our Elgar Concert Hall and a variety of musical performances in the city and beyond.
-
Our diverse study options include modules such as ‘Historically Informed Performance’, ‘Introduction to Global Popular Musics’ and ‘Postsocialist Music and Ethnography’.
-
Get ready to turn your passion for music into your career. Gain the tools you need to be a successful music professional on our practical employability module.
-
Discover Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque instruments and vocal techniques through our Collective for Early Music Performance and Research Centre
-
Top 10 for Music in the UK (Complete University Guide 2026).
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in Music. We can consider an Honours degree in another subject if you have significant professional musical experience and relevant qualifications. In your personal statement, please include the MA Music pathway you're applying for in the first paragraph. All applicants for the Musicology and Sound Studies pathway must submit a sample of written work. This needs to be in English and at least 3,000 words. The written work should focus on a musical topic, with academic bibliography and references. You'll need to submit the document at the same time as your application, or upload this within two weeks of submitting your application. If the written work isn't provided in this timeframe, then your application may be declined. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Summary
Deepen your understanding of how music has developed across time and different cultures by exploring musicology and sound studies.
Explore the history of music across the globe and gain valuable analytical skills.
Choose from a range of optional modules to build your degree around your specific interests. Explore musical topics in depth, gaining industry-specific and transferable skills to prepare for your future career.
Combine teaching with opportunities to be inspired by live music on campus and in the city. Whichever music period you're fascinated by, discover weekly free lunchtime concerts at our Elgar Concert Hall and a variety of musical performances in the city and beyond.
-
Our diverse study options include modules such as ‘Historically Informed Performance’, ‘Introduction to Global Popular Musics’ and ‘Postsocialist Music and Ethnography’.
-
Get ready to turn your passion for music into your career. Gain the tools you need to be a successful music professional on our practical employability module.
-
Discover Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque instruments and vocal techniques through our Collective for Early Music Performance and Research Centre
-
Top 10 for Music in the UK (Complete University Guide 2026).
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in Music. We can consider an Honours degree in another subject if you have significant professional musical experience and relevant qualifications. In your personal statement, please include the MA Music pathway you're applying for in the first paragraph. All applicants for the Musicology and Sound Studies pathway must submit a sample of written work. This needs to be in English and at least 3,000 words. The written work should focus on a musical topic, with academic bibliography and references. You'll need to submit the document at the same time as your application, or upload this within two weeks of submitting your application. If the written work isn't provided in this timeframe, then your application may be declined. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Summary
Do you want to further your understanding of how music has developed across time and different cultures? On our course, you’ll explore the history of music across the globe, equipping you with valuable analytical skills that cross subject boundaries.
Build your degree to suit your specific interests and explore topics in depth, preparing you for your future career.
We’ve taught music since 1905 and have a strong reputation as a Music department. You’ll be based within our state-of-the-art Bramall Music Building - home to our 450-seat Elgar Concert Hall - and our Frankland Building’s University Music Hub, with its range of innovative rehearsal rooms and recording spaces.
-
Our diverse study options include modules such as ‘Historically Informed Performance’, ‘Introduction to Global Popular Musics’ and ‘Postsocialist Music and Ethnography’.
-
Our Collective for Early Music Performance and Research Centre offers lots of early music activities like lessons on Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque instruments and vocal techniques.
-
Get ready to turn your passion for music into your career, with our practical employability module, providing you with the tools to be a successful music professional.
-
Top 100 for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2024).
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in Music. We can consider an Honours degree in another subject if you have significant professional musical experience and relevant qualifications. In your personal statement, please include the MA Music pathway you're applying for in the first paragraph. All applicants for the Musicology and Sound Studies pathway must submit a sample of written work. This needs to be in English and at least 3,000 words. The written work should focus on a musical topic, with academic bibliography and references. You'll need to submit the document at the same time as your application, or upload this within two weeks of submitting your application. If the written work isn't provided in this timeframe, then your application may be declined. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Summary
Do you want to further your understanding of how music has developed across time and different cultures? On our course, you’ll explore the history of music across the globe, equipping you with valuable analytical skills that cross subject boundaries.
Build your degree to suit your specific interests and explore topics in depth, preparing you for your future career.
We’ve taught music since 1905 and have a strong reputation as a Music department. You’ll be based within our state-of-the-art Bramall Music Building - home to our 450-seat Elgar Concert Hall - and our Frankland Building’s University Music Hub, with its range of innovative rehearsal rooms and recording spaces.
-
Our diverse study options include modules such as ‘Historically Informed Performance’, ‘Introduction to Global Popular Musics’ and ‘Postsocialist Music and Ethnography’.
-
Our Collective for Early Music Performance and Research Centre offers lots of early music activities like lessons on Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque instruments and vocal techniques.
-
Get ready to turn your passion for music into your career, with our practical employability module, providing you with the tools to be a successful music professional.
-
Top 100 for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2024).
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in Music. We can consider an Honours degree in another subject if you have significant professional musical experience and relevant qualifications. In your personal statement, please include the MA Music pathway you're applying for in the first paragraph. All applicants for the Musicology and Sound Studies pathway must submit a sample of written work. This needs to be in English and at least 3,000 words. The written work should focus on a musical topic, with academic bibliography and references. You'll need to submit the document at the same time as your application, or upload this within two weeks of submitting your application. If the written work isn't provided in this timeframe, then your application may be declined. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Why you should choose the School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music at the University of Birmingham
Join a community of translators, art historians, curators, and musicians at a world top 100 university for arts and humanities (QS World University Rankings 2025).
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