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Music (F99) (Taught)

  • MA
  • 2 Years
  • Distance learning
  • October 2026
  • Postgraduate
Distance Learning
Awarded by:
The Open University
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Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

This masters degree introduces you to the diverse topics and methods of music research and equips you with the critical skills to pursue your research interests. You’ll develop your ability to analyse and interpret musical sources and practices, understand and apply theories to develop your arguments, and communicate effectively with different audiences. You’ll also encounter musical practices and genres from various places and time periods, allowing you to follow your musical interests. This qualification will be ideal if you wish to pursue higher-level academic research or advance your career in music education or the creative industries.

Key features of the course

  • Introduces essential music research skills.

  • Explores a range of sources, methods and theories for an advanced study of music.

  • Investigates different musical styles and genres from across the world.

  • Concludes with a dissertation on a subject of your choice.

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits. You'll study two compulsory 90-credit modules. You must pass part 1 before progressing to part 2.

You'll study the following:

  • MA Music part 1
    This module provides a solid foundation for postgraduate and professional academic study in Music, allowing you to specialise in almost any area you choose.

  • MA Music part 2
    Design and carry out a research project on a musical subject of your own choosing.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Distance Learning

Study options

  • MA • Distance learning • 2 Years

Start dates

  • October 2026

Open days

Entry requirements

The principal requirement to study the MA in Music is that you are able to write an essay to a good academic standard. The best way to provide evidence of this is to hold a UK honours degree (or equivalent from an English-speaking university), with at least a 2:1 classification. Although your degree does not need to be in Music, you will need a good knowledge of, or experience in, at least some areas of music to successfully complete this qualification. This may include performing or listening to music, and reading about music (for example, books, magazines, blogs). The ability to read music notation is useful but not a necessity. There is no requirement to perform on a musical instrument.

If you do not already hold an honours degree or equivalent with at least a 2:1 classification, you will be asked to demonstrate your preparedness for the module in other ways. You should undertake studying the free OpenLearn course 'Introducing music research' and submit an essay of between 1,000 and 1,500 words on a topic of your choice, making use of what you have learned in at least one section of this course. You may instead submit an essay of a similar length that you have already written on any other arts and humanities subject. Your essay will be assessed on its written clarity and structure, rather than its subject matter. Your essay can be submitted alongside evidence of previous study at the point of registration. If you are unfamiliar with scholarly writing and academic practice, particularly regarding referencing, you should also study the free OpenLearn course 'Succeeding in postgraduate study'.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 7 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.

If you’re in any doubt about the suitability of your qualifications or previous experience, please contact us before you enrol.

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

As fees for individual modules can vary, the total cost you pay for your qualification depends on the modules you choose to study. For further information about fees, please refer to the course description on The Open University website.

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