Music (Musicology) (MMus)

Expand your knowledge and understanding of music with a master’s degree at the University of Southampton. You’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills for a career in music or further research on a PhD.

Our MMus Musicology degree gives you the opportunity to specialise in various elements of musicology. On this course, you’ll study:

• current trends in musicological method and critical practice
• key research skills in musicology
• methodologies of advanced musical analysis

Our academic staff are internationally noted performers with active solo and ensemble careers, and established composers of contemporary art music, electronic music, media music (for example, in film, TV and videogames), and jazz. These world-leading experts can offer you intensive one-to-one tuition in music history, culture and performance.

We offer a broad-based MMus programme with 4 specialist pathways:

• Musicology
• Performance
• Music Education
• Composition

On the Musicology pathway, you’ll work towards the final goal of a professional research project and dissertation. We’ll work with you to create a portfolio of work that’s relevant to your career aspirations. On completion of the course, you’ll be ready to:

• continue your research at a doctoral level
• work in the music industry or wider cultural sector
• become a teacher
• work as a freelance musician

You can mix your Musicology modules with topics from other MMus pathways to develop a wider range of skills and personalise the course to your interests.

Course lead

Your course leader is Dr Chiying Lam. She completed her doctoral study at the Royal College of Music, London, and her research focuses on musicians' pedagogical practice and post-colonial discourses of power & identity within the music practitioners' community.Visit Dr Chiying Lam's staff profile to learn more about her work.

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in music or a related subject.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

For the Musicology pathway, you’ll need to submit 2 samples of written work. These should be between 1,500 and 2,500 words each on musicological questions of your choice.

Careers