Introduction
Applications open soon.
Build your skills to further your abilities as a performer, working with leading performers and scholars to advance your musical career. Unleash your creativity and develop your practice across different genres and styles, with opportunities to participate in masterclasses led by visiting musicians.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MMus
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
The programme offers practical one-on-one lessons on your instrument or voice with performance tutors, small group seminars and masterclasses to enhance your professional practice. You will have opportunities to participate in the university concert series and a wide range of music ensembles with leading international artists, staff and students while pursuing other performance opportunities to increase your visibility as a performer. You will also study performance-based topics and engage in different written and practical assessments, including a substantial recital on your chosen instrument or voice.
What You'll Study
- Degree Content
-
Compulsory Courses
- 30 hours of one-to-one tuition with a specialist tutor on voice or musical instrument.
- Participation in performance workshops & masterclasses with visiting specialists.
- A performance practice module, with the opportunity to develop as practice researchers, exploring the wider historical and interpretative concerns in your chosen style/genre.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Please refer to our Tuition Fees page for fee information for this programme, or contact llmvc.enquiries@abdn.ac.uk.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- 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.
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.
Why Study Music Performance?
- Build your professional practice with expert guidance and support from specialist staff.
- Develop different aspects of your musical and technical abilities to advance your skills as a performer.
- Learn to place musical practice in wider historical, interpretive, stylistic, and cultural contexts.
- Learn from leading professional performers in regular workshops and masterclasses by expert staff and visiting musicians, including world-leading names across classical, opera, jazz, trad, and other styles.
- Attend regular performances as part of the University Concert Series and many partnership events.
- Perform as part of various university ensembles, orchestras, choirs, bands, music societies and solo showcase events.
- Access our extensive collection of musical instruments, including Shigeru Kawai and Steinway pianos, a large collection of historical instruments (strings, keyboards, winds etc), and a celebrated three-manual organ by French builder, Bernard Aubertin, housed at King's College Chapel.
- Access practice rooms and our dedicated computer lab containing 30 audio workstations running Logic, Sibelius, Musition and Auralia software, an electronic whiteboard, a data projector, and dedicated software for interactive lectures.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
A first degree (ideally 2:1 or equivalent) would be desired, though extensive musical experience in the profession could
be used in place of certain qualifications.
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 - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
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
The programme can open a range of diverse career opportunities in the creative industries, including professional performance, teaching and other musical pathways. The degree can also provide ideal preparation for further postgraduate study, including the DMus and PhD courses at the University of Aberdeen.
Our Experts
We have leading instrumental and vocal tutors with extensive professional experience in the field.
- Other Expert
- Professor Phillip Cooke, The University of Aberdeen
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Aaron McGregor, The University of Aberdeen
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
-
School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture
University of Aberdeen
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3UB