Ranking
Top 100
QS World Rankings 2024
Course overview
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.
Course structure
The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three modules per term in the first two terms.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, and an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
Course highlights
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).
Use our incredible performance and rehearsal spaces and recording facilities.
Learn from our internationally renowned academics.
Choose from a wide range of optional modules.
The home of Elgar and Black Sabbath
As the birthplace of works as important as Elgar’s ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ and home to heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath and reggae band UB40, the city of Birmingham continues to be a hotspot for championing and celebrating an eclectic range of musical styles for you to explore and enjoy.
Course delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Music history, theory and performance.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation – you'll undertake a 15,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you. You'll also attend and to write short summaries of research seminars presented during the academic year.
Facilities
At Birmingham, there are lots of outstanding music facilities for you to make the most of. These include performance, rehearsal, and research spaces, concert halls, practice rooms, dedicated spaces for early music, plus studios for recording and electronic music composition. Find out more about our Music facilities.
Module information
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you’ll need to attend.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
2025/26 Session
Students must take the following modules according to the Pathways they have chosen:
Musicology and Sound Studies Pathway
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Music Dissertation | 60 |
| LM Music Employability | 20 |
| LM Music as Critical Practice | 20 |
Optional modules
Students must pick 2 x 20 credit optional modules in Semester 1 AND 2 x 20 credit optional modules in Semester 2.
Students choose additional Level M modules provided annually by the School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music up to the relevant credit value for their respective pathway, to a combined total of 180 credits. Depending on the pathway chosen, optional module choices may be restricted.
This list is indicative; not all modules will run each year depending on staff availability.
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours Degree
in Music
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.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
Full-time
- £5,450
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying courses over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 31 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non-tier 4 applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in Music at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to problem-solve, think creatively, plus self-management and presentation skills.
Our Music graduates enter many roles, including:
- Choral Director
- Piano Tutor
- Primary School Teacher
Employers our Music graduates have worked for include:
- University of Birmingham and other universities internationally
- Primary and secondary schools
- Diocese of Leeds Music
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits [The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report].
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.