The University of Sheffield
Prospective Postgraduates

MA World Music Studies

Caroline Bruce, postgraduate student in the Department of Music

Key facts

  • Department of Music, Faculty of Arts and Humanities
  • 2 years part-time by distance learning

University and faculty funding is available each year. The closing date for applications is mid-January. The department has a small number of tuition studentships available. The closing date for these is the end of April. You can also apply for a small grant to support your postgraduate research project.

Financial information for postgraduate taught courses

Entry requirements

You'll need a 2:1 in music or a combined degree with a substantial music component.

English language requirements: overall IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

Entry requirements for international students

Any questions?

If you'd like to know more about any aspect of our courses, contact us

E: j.m.burrows@sheffield.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)114 222 0470

Apply now

About the course

Explore research in world music and ethnomusicology. The course combines practical, applied and theoretical perspectives. If you're a professional musician or a teacher or you work in the music media, you'll find it fascinating and relevant.

Course content

  • Research Skills
  • Music of the World
  • Approaches to Fieldwork
  • Case Studies in Ethnomusicology
  • Special Topic in World Music
  • 15,000-word dissertation

Teaching

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • World music performance workshops
  • Email tutorials
  • Supporting course texts and guidance notes

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Dissertation
  • Sample radio programme
  • Folio of fieldwork materials

About us

Our courses are taught by experts and backed by world-class research. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, 80 per cent of our work was rated internationally excellent or world-leading.

We’re influential in music psychology and education, acoustic and electronic composition, performance studies and the ethnomusicology of East Asia. Our Centre for Applied and Interdisciplinary Research in Music (CAIRM) supports research collaborations.
Performance is an important part of our work. You’ll have the chance to participate in orchestras, music theatre, contemporary music, folk and world traditions. We have strong links with the community, giving you the chance to make music outside the University.

Your career

Many of our graduates work in education. Others are performers in various popular genres, in the UK and abroad. Some work in recording studios. Employers include universities, colleges, concert agencies and music promoters.

Study materials, studios and equipment

We have a postgraduate research suite and several studios for advanced compositional work, software development, sound recording, experimentation, transcription, music notation and other research applications. You’ll have access to scores, books, periodicals, recordings and online resources.

Our experienced studio manager will help you use the tools for digital recording, video and film. We also have practice facilities and collections of historical and world music instruments.
Resident professional musicians bring performance expertise to the department – most recently the Ensemble 360 and tabla performer John Ball.

You’ll work alongside professional musicians and researchers.

Apply now

You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It is a quick and easy process.

Postgraduate Online Application Form

You may also be interested in:

MA Ethnomusicology

MA Music Management

MA Music Performance

MA Psychology of Music

MA Sonic Arts

MA Music Psychology in Education

MA Psychology for Musicians