Sacred Music - PGCert online

The PGCert in Sacred Music offers students an opportunity to enhance their skills, knowledge and understanding of sacred music through distance learning postgraduate study.

The course is taught by academics at Scotland’s oldest university who are also professional practitioners in the field of church music. Students are encouraged during the programme to apply insights gained in teaching to their local contexts and professional practice.

The PGCert is aimed particularly at those in church music roles, paid or voluntary, those in active ministry or ministerial training, and those who simply wish to deepen their understanding of sacred music.

Register your interest Book an information session

Application deadline: Monday 1 September 2025

Apply for September 2025

Application deadline: Friday 9 January 2026

Apply for January 2026

Entry requirements

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
• personal statement (300 to 500 words)
• two original signed academic references
• academic transcripts and degree certificates

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

After your degree

Careers

The PGCert in Sacred Music will benefit those wishing to pursue a career as a church musician, or those who are already active as church musicians or clergy, who wish to deepen their understanding of sacred music. 

Graduates of the PGCert in Sacred Music can bring knowledge and skills gained on the course to enhance their future activities, whether in church music leadership and performing roles, active ministry, or other ministerial and congregational roles.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Further study

The programme would also benefit those wishing to pursue further postgraduate study, including the MLitt in Sacred Music.