Music (Musicology) (Taught)

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.

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

We'll assess your knowledge through: work portfolios, group and individual presentations, essays and analyses and your final dissertation.