2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Programme Catalogue

MA Musicology

Programme overview

Programme code
MA-MUSCL
UCAS code
Duration
12 Months
Method of Attendance
Full Time
Programme manager
Dr James Mooney
Contact address
j.r.mooney@leeds.ac.uk
Total credits
180
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme
Music
Examination board through which the programme will be considered

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification


This course offers a foundation in musicological thought and practice, opportunities to develop specialised applied, editorial, archival, critical and theoretical skills, and the chance to produce a significant piece of work in a musicological area of your choice, regardless of your musical tastes and preferences. 

Through core modules you’ll explore a broad range of theoretical and methodological approaches to musicology, applied research methods, and issues that affect our understanding, reception and interpretation of music. You may also choose an optional module that will enable you to focus on a specific area of music in depth, such as performance, electronic music, or music psychology. Together, the core and optional modules will provide you with the knowledge and skills to develop musicological projects according to your own interests. 

Your major project will take the form of a dissertation with a specific musicological focus, or a piece of applied or practice-led work such as an editing or transcription project, or an archival or fieldwork study, defining your topic in consultation with one of our expert staff. In addition to this, you may optionally choose to undertake a second, smaller musicological project on a topic of your own choice (a Short Dissertation, an Individual Project or, subject to approval, an International Research Project). 

The course provides a logical progression from undergraduate music courses and will equip you with a range of skills desired by employers and of value in further research at MPhil/PhD level. 

We have a variety of excellent facilities to support your learning, including rehearsal, performance and practice spaces, recording and electronic music studios, a music psychology lab, and five libraries that provide access to a wide range of books, periodicals, and online resources. The Special Collections housed in our beautiful Brotherton Library contain significant collections of music manuscripts, rare printed music and letters from composers and critics to help inform your work. 

We have close working relationships with prestigious arts organisations: we host BBC Radio 3 concerts, Leeds Lieder and the Leeds International Piano Competition, and we engage with the flagship DARE partnership between the University and Opera North. We are also closely associated with Leeds Baroque and we engage with many other performing arts organisations in Leeds, which enjoys a thriving music and cultural scene. 

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
MUS5131MIssues in Musicology30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)PFP
MUS5132MApplied Research Methodologies30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MUS5231MCritical and Aesthetic Theory30Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to study 60 credits from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
MUS5003MDissertation601 Oct to 30 Sep (12mth)
MUS5007MApplied Musicology Project601 Oct to 30 Sep (12mth)

Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
MUS5112MThe Recording Industry Now30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MUS5121MComposition Studies30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MUS5241MShort Recital30Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MUS5331MShort Dissertation30Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MUS5332MIndividual Project30Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MUS5352MCase Studies in the Applied Psychology of Music30Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MUS5431MInternational Research Project301 Jan to 30 Sep

Last updated: 16/05/2024 15:46:11

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