Introduction
The MMus in Music capitalises on research strength within the department of music and is intended for composers (vocal, instrumental, or electronic), performers, sonic artists, musicologists (of all kinds studying any genre), music education and community music practitioners with a specific interest in an area of musical study. Our MMus students can design their study by selecting one or two study concentrations from six paths: Community Music, Composition, Music Education, Musicology, Performance, and Sonic Arts. Applicants must confirm in their application which area(s) they wish to specialise in.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MMus or PgCert
- Duration
- 4 months, 9 months, 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- January or September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
At the centre of the MMus in Music is an extended project where the student can realise a large-scale project with support and supervision from specialist staff. The medium of the project will be determined by the student’s interests and research and our programme offers considerable flexibility in approach. This allows our students to build a significant portfolio of work that will work as a springboard toward their future careers whether it is in their chosen industry or in academia.
In addition to the extended project, our students take a mix of compulsory and optional courses. The MMus Programme Coordinator discusses options with individual students to ensure the best fit between available courses and student interests.
The aim of the programme is threefold:
- To provide a natural development from undergraduate programmes, both within and outwith the University of Aberdeen, to postgraduate study in the university in the areas of composition, community music, musicology, music education, performance or sonic arts or any combination of these paths;
- To help the students develop and explore options in their future careers in academia or in industry;
- To continue to develop the research environment in the Department of Music.
The MMus in Music will also offer an opportunity for those who have already worked for a number of years after their undergraduate or postgraduate study and would like to return to hone their chosen skills at university as part of their continuing professional development (either on a full-time or part-time basis).
Available Programmes of Study
- MMus
-
Music
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationMMus 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September Aberdeen MoreMMus 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January Aberdeen MoreProgramme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £23,800 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year UK £11,100 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year Semester 1
Full Time Route: Students will take the courses as listed here.
Part Time Route: This route will run over two years. Students take 60 credit points in year 1(January to December) and 120 credit points in Year 2 (January to December). Students must complete 180 Credits in total.
PD5506 and PD55C1 must be taken in year 1 and MU5524 and PD50C2 must be taken in year 2.
In Year 1:
Second half-session courses (Beginning in January)
Select one elective course from list below (30 credit points)
MU5526: Equality, Equity and social Justice through Community Music (30 credit points)
MU5525: Renaissance Counterpoint (30 credit points)
Compulsory Courses
- Research Communication (MU5523)
-
30 Credit Points
This course provides students with an applied understanding of research communication skills relevant to all six study paths (community music, composition, music education, musicology, performance, and sonic arts). Students will engage directly with current issues in music research, experiencing and critiquing different methods of written, recorded, and oral communication. The course is structured around the departmental Music Research Seminars, but students are also expected to attend other seminar and/or events relevant to their own research practice.
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5506)
-
This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Critical Skills: Research and Dissemination (PD55C1)
-
This course will equip you with core research and dissemination skills. Centred on an interdisciplinary approach to research, the course will allow you to engage with peers from various research backgrounds to contribute, discuss and share in an interactive academic community. The course will detail key research techniques and communicative modes for successful dissemination. Communication skills specific to engaging with industry stakeholders will also be covered as part of this course in order to boost employability.
Optional Courses
Select ONE elective from the list below:
- MU5518 Advanced Sound Design for New Media (30 credit points)
- MU5533 Music, Representation and Cultural Encounters (30 credit points)
- Equality, Equity and Social Justice Through Music (MU5526)
-
30 Credit Points
This course will empower students to engage proactively with the complex social and political concepts, theories and perspectives around equality, equity and social justice.
The first part of the course will develop a knowledge and understanding of the range of terminology, concepts, theories, and perspectives connected with this area of study, using the 2010 Equality Act as an overarching framework. This will be undertaken through the study of relevant academic literature and participatory activities.
The second part of the course will demonstrate how these concepts, theories and perspectives can be applied to the student’s understanding of their individual musical practice(s).
Semester 2
Compulsory Courses
- Extended Project (MU5524)
-
60 Credit Points
This course enables students to be creative in developing their own independent and individual ideas through an extended research project in any one, or a combination of, the six MMus study paths (community music, composition, music education, musicology, performance, and sonic arts). Students will acquire a range of skills, techniques and understanding enabling them to become effective researchers in their chosen area(s). The exact nature of the project is the result of negotiation between supervisor (or supervisory team) and student, subject to the approval of the programme coordinator.
Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
- Research Practices (MU5022)
-
30 Credit Points
This course provides students with an opportunity to reflect on and develop their own research practices. Engaging with topics and methods relevant to all six of the MMus study paths (community music, composition, music education, musicology, performance, and sonic arts) the course will encourage students to engage with both novel and well-established approaches to music studies.
- Critical Skills: Reading and Engagement (PD50C2)
-
This course will equip you with the essential skills required to engage with your postgraduate studies. Through a series of lectures, interactive seminars and authentic materials, you will build on your critical thinking skills with fellow PGT students from across the school. Critical Reading, essay writing and presentation skills will be offered as part of this course, providing students with skills fundamental to PGT and workplace contexts.
Optional Courses
Select ONE elective from the list below:
- MU5016: Contemporary Issues in Aesthetics (30 credit points)
- MU5012 Orchestration (30 credit points)
- MU5015 Current Issues in Music Education (30 credit points)
- PgCert
-
Music
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationPgCert 4 months or 9 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January Aberdeen More
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Funding Opportunities
The SFC Postgraduate tuition fee scholarship may be available for those classified as Home/EU fee status students for this programme. Visit the scholarship page for more information.
There is one other scholarships available through the University of Aberdeen Development Trust:
- Carlaw-Ogston Master of Music Scholarship
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes for January 2025 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about these Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
From September 2025 all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Assessment is by most appropriate mode for the subject area (e.g., essay, presentation, composition, performance, etc.) and we typically have more than one option within each course to cater to students on different study paths.
Why Study Music?
- Expert tutorials and courses from specialists across the musical spectrum, including 30 hours of individual lessons for students on the performance study path.
- A wide range of interesting and imaginative courses
- Flexibility in tailoring the degree to your specialism
- A vibrant research environment offered by the Department of Music and the University
- Opportunities to join various ensembles, music societies, and research groups
- Create a multi-channel (8.2.4) electroacoustic and sonic arts project at a state-of-the-art electroacoustic studio (Bennachie EA Studio) that offers ambisonic sound acquisition and production capability
Entry Requirements
Candidates must normally have a degree at 2(ii) or above, or equivalent qualification or proven experience in Music.
References are not required for applicants to apply. They are not usually required for a decision to be made but in certain cases, applicants may be asked to provide a single academic reference at the request of the academic selector.
An example of work relevant to the applicant’s study path is required with the application. Anyone applying for more than one study path should provide examples of work in both areas.
For performance, submit two contrasting songs/pieces totalling 7-15 minutes. By ‘contrasting’ we mean songs/pieces that showcase different aspects of the applicant’s musical and technical abilities. We will assess performers working in many genres and styles, e.g., musical theatre, pop vocals and/or classical, operatic singing. A list of our current visiting tutors for performance can be found on the Department of Music web pages. If you cannot see a tutor for your chosen study, please use the email address or Enquire Now button (above) to ask about possible tuition. Whilst we will try to accommodate specific genres/specialisms/instruments, this is not always possible. All performances submitted with applications should be recorded as if live, i.e., without significant editing. Applicants typically include a link to an online video at the end of their personal statement. The video does not need to be made to professional standards; the important thing is that it lets us assess the quality of the performance.
Details about applying for other study paths are in the box below.
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
For music education, submit one essay in English of approximately 2000 words. We prefer to see essays on educational topics, but we can assess essays on any topic related to music or education. coherent academic English and evidence of engagement with relevant scholarly literature (e.g., references to academic sources). Where applicants submit a music education essay, we hope to see evidence of a reflective approach to the topic, ideally engaging with recent debates in the field.
For composition, submit at least two contrasting notated compositions. By ‘contrasting’ we mean compositions that showcase different aspects of the applicant’s abilities. Since most composition tuition in the Department involves some form of notation in the tradition of Western art music, we must see the scores for the submitted compositions. If applicants also wish to provide audio or video files of their compositions, we will assess those, but only the notated scores are required. Applicants typically include (a link to) score files and a brief commentary (no more than 500 words) on the submitted work. We will assess composers working in many genres and styles; what we are looking for is evidence of creativity and experimentation as well as a sufficient craft to thrive at master’s level.
For musicology, submit one essay in English of approximately 2000 words. We can assess essays on any music-related topic, and we welcome students adopting any methodological approach (ethnographic, historical, theoretical, etc). The main things we are looking for are coherent academic English and evidence of engagement with relevant scholarly literature (e.g., references to academic sources). We hope to see evidence of a reflective approach to the topic, ideally engaging with recent debates in the field.
For sonic arts, submit at least two contrasting compositions that make good use of technology, which can include electronic music, soundscape composition, audio-visual composition & sound design and music for film and/or games. By 'contrasting' we mean compositions that showcase different aspects of the applicant's technical and creative abilities. Applicants typically include (a link to) audio files and a brief commentary (no more than 500 words) on the submitted work.
For community music, submit one essay in English of approximately 2000 words. We prefer to see essays on community music topics, but we can assess essays on any topic related to music or communities. The main things we are looking for are coherent academic English and evidence of engagement with relevant scholarly literature (e.g., references to academic sources). Where applicants submit a community music essay, we hope to see evidence of a reflective approach to the topic, ideally engaging with recent debates in the field.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated pages.
January 2025 September 2025Careers
Students entering the MMus might have specific career aspirations from the start, i.e., composition or musicology, or they may want to use the programme as a route to further study (i.e., a PhD). We also welcome students wishing to generalise and simply learn more about their subject.
The courses are designed for in-depth work and to enable students to understand and experience a number of different aspects of music research and the music profession. The degree can also be used as an entry to other professions, as is the case with other postgraduate degrees, where subject specialism is not important.
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX