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University of Glasgow: Musicology
| Institution | University of Glasgow View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | College of Arts and Humanities |
| Web | glasgow.ac.uk |
| David.Code@glasgow.ac.uk | |
| Study type | Taught |
Master of Music - MMus
Summary
The Glasgow MMus offers a rich, stimulating introduction to Musicology in all its current diversity. Solidly grounded in traditional historical and analytical methods, the program opens out to embrace the most vibrant recent developments in the field – including cultural musicology, as applied to all imaginable genres and styles; practice-based research, rooted in active music-making by our staff and students; cutting-edge digital research methods; and interdisciplinary criticism of all kinds, including the study of contemporary audiovisual media.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
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Our core team of musicologists publishes world-leading research across a full millennium of Western art music, as well as on jazz, film music, and other popular styles. Distinguished colleagues in Composition, Sonic Arts, The Music Industries, and Ethnomusicology also contribute to our courses.
-
We encourage interdisciplinary work, notably within the School of Culture and Creative Arts (Music, Film and TV Studies, History of Art, Theatre Studies, Centre for Cultural Policy Research), but also across the College and University.
-
For more information see our Music staff, with their industry links and research specialisms and the full SCCA research staff.
-
As a UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow offers a wealth of inspiring activity – from legendary pop venues (King Tut’s, Barrowlands) and renowned classical ensembles (Scottish Opera, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra) to experimental festivals (Tectonics, Sonica) and pub folk sessions. ‘Music in the University’ hosts many events right on campus: organ recitals and Chapel Choir concerts in the neo-Gothic Memorial Chapel; performances by distinguished visitors or our own staff and students.
-
You will have access to a vast array of manuscript, printed and online resources through the Library and Special Collections. Our facilities include a concert hall, three computer music studios, an audio lab and several practice rooms. We have a fine collection of instruments, both historical (keyboards, strings, winds) and contemporary (percussion).
-
Listen to our podcast: Stories from Glasgow – Zarzuela and Early Phonograph Recordings with Dr Eva Moreda Rodriguez
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
You will take: - Three core courses
- Three optional courses
You’ll also write a dissertation on a musical topic of your choosing.
Core Courses Research Skills and Digital Musicology (Semester 1) Introduction to Musicology (Semester 1) Current Issues in Musicology (Semester 2)
Optional Courses You’ll take three courses in addition to the three above. These could include: Thinking Through Sound and Media
You can also take options from the Honours courses in Music, and from other subjects in the SCCA or (with instructor’s approval) the entire College of Arts & Humanities. Recommended options include our two ‘school-wide’ courses, with contributions from all SCCA Subject Areas: Festivals (Film and Television Studies) Making Time: performing and thinking temporalities in the creative arts (History of Art)
Please note that course availability depends on student numbers, programme rotations, and periods of staff leave. Not all courses will be available every year.
Dissertation You’ll develop an independent piece of academic writing (12-15,000 words) in musicology under the supervision of a member of staff.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Music, Musicology or Media and Creative Industries related programmes, such as Film, Performance or History will be considered. We may also accept degrees in other subjects. A question-based personal statement is required. Please download and complete the personal statement template from the course page on our website, and submit it with your application. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
Summary
The Glasgow MMus offers a rich, stimulating introduction to Musicology in all its current diversity. Solidly grounded in traditional historical and analytical methods, the program opens out to embrace the most vibrant recent developments in the field – including cultural musicology, as applied to all imaginable genres and styles; practice-based research, rooted in active music-making by our staff and students; cutting-edge digital research methods; and interdisciplinary criticism of all kinds, including the study of contemporary audiovisual media.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
-
Our core team of musicologists publishes world-leading research across a full millennium of Western art music, as well as on jazz, film music, and other popular styles. Distinguished colleagues in Composition, Sonic Arts, The Music Industries, and Ethnomusicology also contribute to our courses.
-
We encourage interdisciplinary work, notably within the School of Culture and Creative Arts (Music, Film and TV Studies, History of Art, Theatre Studies, Centre for Cultural Policy Research), but also across the College and University.
-
For more information see our Music staff, with their industry links and research specialisms and the full SCCA research staff.
-
As a UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow offers a wealth of inspiring activity – from legendary pop venues (King Tut’s, Barrowlands) and renowned classical ensembles (Scottish Opera, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra) to experimental festivals (Tectonics, Sonica) and pub folk sessions. ‘Music in the University’ hosts many events right on campus: organ recitals and Chapel Choir concerts in the neo-Gothic Memorial Chapel; performances by distinguished visitors or our own staff and students.
-
You will have access to a vast array of manuscript, printed and online resources through the Library and Special Collections. Our facilities include a concert hall, three computer music studios, an audio lab and several practice rooms. We have a fine collection of instruments, both historical (keyboards, strings, winds) and contemporary (percussion).
-
Listen to our podcast: Stories from Glasgow – Zarzuela and Early Phonograph Recordings with Dr Eva Moreda Rodriguez
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
You will take: - Three core courses
- Three optional courses
You’ll also write a dissertation on a musical topic of your choosing.
Core Courses Research Skills and Digital Musicology (Semester 1) Introduction to Musicology (Semester 1) Current Issues in Musicology (Semester 2)
Optional Courses You’ll take three courses in addition to the three above. These could include: Thinking Through Sound and Media
You can also take options from the Honours courses in Music, and from other subjects in the SCCA or (with instructor’s approval) the entire College of Arts & Humanities. Recommended options include our two ‘school-wide’ courses, with contributions from all SCCA Subject Areas: Festivals (Film and Television Studies) Making Time: performing and thinking temporalities in the creative arts (History of Art)
Please note that course availability depends on student numbers, programme rotations, and periods of staff leave. Not all courses will be available every year.
Dissertation You’ll develop an independent piece of academic writing (12-15,000 words) in musicology under the supervision of a member of staff.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Music, Musicology or Media and Creative Industries related programmes, such as Film, Performance or History will be considered. We may also accept degrees in other subjects. A question-based personal statement is required. Please download and complete the personal statement template from the course page on our website, and submit it with your application. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
Summary
The Glasgow MMus offers a rich, stimulating introduction to Musicology in all its current diversity. Solidly grounded in traditional historical and analytical methods, the program opens out to embrace the most vibrant recent developments in the field – including cultural musicology, as applied to all imaginable genres and styles; practice-based research, rooted in active music-making by our staff and students; cutting-edge digital research methods; and interdisciplinary criticism of all kinds, including the study of contemporary audiovisual media.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
-The core Musicology team works together with a diverse team of other specialists (e.g., in Composition, Sonic Arts, Performance, Digital Musicology, and Ethnomusicology) to offer a multi-dimensional critical approach to music in all its forms.
-
As a UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow is a unique centre of creative activity, from legendary music venues to classical orchestras and ensembles (e.g. Scottish Opera, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra). Several of these ensembles contribute to our courses.
-
Our facilities include a Concert Hall, three studios, an audio lab and several practice rooms. We have an excellent collection of modern and historical keyboard instruments including two Steinway Model D grand pianos, an 1840s Broadwood grand piano, a Classical forte-piano, and two harpsichords. Other instruments include a selection of percussion instruments, a consort of viols, Baroque strings, recorders, crumhorns and other wind instruments.
-
We actively encourage interdisciplinary work, notably across the several Subject Areas in the School of Culture and Creative Arts (Music, Film and TV Studies, History of Art, Theatre Studies, and the Centre for Cultural Policy Research), but also throughout the College of Arts and the University.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
You will take: - Three core courses
- Three optional courses
You’ll also write a dissertation on a musical topic of your choosing.
Core Courses RESEARCH SKILLS AND DIGITAL MUSICOLOGY (Semester 1) INTRODUCTION TO MUSICOLOGY (Semester 1) CURRENT ISSUES IN MUSICOLOGY (Semester 2)
Optional Courses You’ll take three courses in addition to the three above. These could include: FIELD RECORDING, SOUND AND PLACE THE CONTEMPORARY MUSIC INDUSTRIES INDIVIDUAL CREATIVE PRACTICE SONIC ART AESTHETICS & CRITICISM
You can also take options from the Honours courses in Music, and from other subjects in the School of Cultural and Creative Arts, such as:
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AND CULTURAL POLICY - CORE 1 (Centre for Cultural Policy Research) FESTIVALS (Film and Television Studies) MAKING TIME: PERFORMING AND THINKING TEMPORALITIES IN THE CREATIVE ARTS (History of Art)
Please note the availability of a particular course depends on student numbers, regular programme rotations, and patterns of staff leave. Not all courses will be available every year.
Dissertation You’ll develop an independent piece of academic writing (12-15,000 words) in musicology under the supervision of a member of staff. DISSERTATION IN MUSICOLOGY
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You need to have a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in Music or a closely related subject. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
Summary
The Glasgow MMus offers a rich, stimulating introduction to Musicology in all its current diversity. Solidly grounded in traditional historical and analytical methods, the program opens out to embrace the most vibrant recent developments in the field – including cultural musicology, as applied to all imaginable genres and styles; practice-based research, rooted in active music-making by our staff and students; cutting-edge digital research methods; and interdisciplinary criticism of all kinds, including the study of contemporary audiovisual media.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
-The core Musicology team works together with a diverse team of other specialists (e.g., in Composition, Sonic Arts, Performance, Digital Musicology, and Ethnomusicology) to offer a multi-dimensional critical approach to music in all its forms.
-
As a UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow is a unique centre of creative activity, from legendary music venues to classical orchestras and ensembles (e.g. Scottish Opera, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra). Several of these ensembles contribute to our courses.
-
Our facilities include a Concert Hall, three studios, an audio lab and several practice rooms. We have an excellent collection of modern and historical keyboard instruments including two Steinway Model D grand pianos, an 1840s Broadwood grand piano, a Classical forte-piano, and two harpsichords. Other instruments include a selection of percussion instruments, a consort of viols, Baroque strings, recorders, crumhorns and other wind instruments.
-
We actively encourage interdisciplinary work, notably across the several Subject Areas in the School of Culture and Creative Arts (Music, Film and TV Studies, History of Art, Theatre Studies, and the Centre for Cultural Policy Research), but also throughout the College of Arts and the University.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
You will take: - Three core courses
- Three optional courses
You’ll also write a dissertation on a musical topic of your choosing.
Core Courses RESEARCH SKILLS AND DIGITAL MUSICOLOGY (Semester 1) INTRODUCTION TO MUSICOLOGY (Semester 1) CURRENT ISSUES IN MUSICOLOGY (Semester 2)
Optional Courses You’ll take three courses in addition to the three above. These could include: FIELD RECORDING, SOUND AND PLACE THE CONTEMPORARY MUSIC INDUSTRIES INDIVIDUAL CREATIVE PRACTICE SONIC ART AESTHETICS & CRITICISM
You can also take options from the Honours courses in Music, and from other subjects in the School of Cultural and Creative Arts, such as:
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AND CULTURAL POLICY - CORE 1 (Centre for Cultural Policy Research) FESTIVALS (Film and Television Studies) MAKING TIME: PERFORMING AND THINKING TEMPORALITIES IN THE CREATIVE ARTS (History of Art)
Please note the availability of a particular course depends on student numbers, regular programme rotations, and patterns of staff leave. Not all courses will be available every year.
Dissertation You’ll develop an independent piece of academic writing (12-15,000 words) in musicology under the supervision of a member of staff. DISSERTATION IN MUSICOLOGY
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You need to have a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in Music or a closely related subject. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
The University of Glasgow is one of the UK’s most prestigious seats of learning, and the fourth oldest university in the English speaking world. Established in 1451 and recognised for its world-changing research and teaching, our people have always been at the forefront of innovation, including eight Nobel Laureates, two UK Prime Ministers, three First Ministers of Scotland, 10 Fellows of the Royal Society and 11 Fellows of the British Academy. Our past achievements inspire our current world changers.
Rankings
The University:
- is ranked 79th in the world: QS World University Rankings 2025
- is …
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