Course summary
About this Course The MMus Music (Musicology) program offers you the opportunity to specialize in key elements of musicology. The course is designed to provide advanced knowledge and skills for a career in music or progression to a PhD. You will engage with: • Current trends in musicological method and critical practice. • Key research skills in musicology. • Methodologies of advanced musical analysis. You will receive intensive one-to-one tuition in music history, culture, and performance from academic staff who are internationally noted performers and established composers across various genres. Key Features and Structure • Flexible Pathways: The MMus is a broad program with four specialist pathways (Musicology, Performance, Composition, Music Education). You can mix your Musicology modules with topics from other pathways to develop a wider skill set and personalize the course. • Research Focus: The pathway culminates in a professional research project and dissertation. • Final Project: The main goal is a research project and dissertation, preparing you for doctoral research or professional academic work. • Modern Research: The program encourages engagement with interdisciplinary research; a past student mentioned being involved in a project that combined music and AI. • Structure: This is a 12-month full-time master's degree, with the final three months dedicated to the independent research project. Career Prospects The advanced research and critical thinking skills gained are highly valuable for roles requiring detailed analysis and scholarly communication: • Further Research at a doctoral level (PhD). • Working in music industry roles requiring historical or analytical expertise. • Teaching/Academia. • Working in the wider cultural sector (e.g., arts administration, journalism, publishing, or broadcasting). Further Information • Award: Master of Music (MMus) • The program explicitly considers applicants without the exact entry requirements but with significant professional experience in the sector, assessing their relevant work history, subject knowledge, and aptitude for learning. • The application process requires demonstrating academic ability through pre-submitted written work focusing on musicological questions.
Modules
Compulsory modules include: Critical Practice in Musicology; Preparation for Final Project; Professional Writing and Presentation Skills; Dissertation. Optional modules include: Artists and Repertoires; Music Management Fundamentals; Individual Research Project; Professional Writing and Presentation Skills. For a full list of modules please visit: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/music-musicology-masters-mmus#modules
Assessment method
We'll assess your knowledge through: work portfolios, group and individual presentations, essays and analyses and your final dissertation.
How to apply
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate your English is at a level of our band C: IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components. For more information on accepted English Language tests, please see our website.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:2 degree in music or a related subject. For the Musicology pathway, you’ll need to submit 2 samples of written work. These should be between 1,500 and 2,500 words each on musicological questions of your choice.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | with no component below 6.0 |
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
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
Sponsorship information
A variety of scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations. Please check the website for more information: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/funding/postgraduate.page
Provider information
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ