Course 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).
Modules
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Visit the course page on the University of Birmingham website for the most up-to-date module information.
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.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
For more detailed information on available funding and fees for postgraduate courses please visit: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/fees-funding
Provider information
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT