World Music Studies MA - Online Learning
The courses make full use of online teaching and learning methods, including links to electronic journals, and the use of student discussion forums. The modules are assessed by the submission of a variety of written assignments such as essays, field notes, transcriptions and bibliographies. In the second year of the MA students undertake special topic projects, and research for a 15,000 word dissertation. Work is marked by two of the course staff, and is moderated annually by the external examiner. It is important to note that all students are required to attend biannual residential courses held in Sheffield, in addition to the online studies. More information is available on the "Residentials" page.
Library and resources
The University Libraries are well equipped to support research in each of the module areas, housing a range of ethnomusicology texts and journals, and inter-library loans can be arranged. Time is available during residential weeks to make full use of library resources, and many students will find that their nearest university library will grant them reading rights once they are registered on the course, while thousands of scholarly journals are available electronically to students enrolled atthe the University and thus can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
The University of Sheffield is also a member of the SCONUL Access scheme, where distance learning students can become borrowing members of other participating libraries. The University Library also has special services for distance learning students, which are described on the Access Support Service pages.
University Library Access Support Services
"After completing a degree dominated by Western classical music, the MA in World Music Studies was a great way to broaden my knowledge and experience of music. Studying part-time was a challenge in time-management but it allowed me plenty of time to consider my future career path and to apply for work/study. The distance-learning aspect enabled me to live and work in, and study the music of, two great cities, New Orleans and Hanoi, during my studies. I enjoyed the course so much that I decided to pursue my interest in ethnomusicology, and I was accepted (with funding!) to the University of Sheffield PhD programme where I am currently enrolled."
Lonan O´Briain
MA 2008