Psychology of Music
Department of Music,
Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Course description
It is broad and inclusive in its coverage of research areas and provides rigorous training in qualitative and quantitative research techniques. This course allows you to use psychological methods and theory to interpret and understand musical behaviours, sounds and ideas. You will be introduced to advanced issues in music psychology such as music cognition, music education, music therapy and psychological approaches to performance. This will be taught by a group of expert academics who have published widely, and applied this research to projects beyond academia.
You will specialise within an area and pursue original research to be demonstrated by a written dissertation, generally including experimental or observational empirical investigation.
Modules
Explore core and optional modules
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Teaching
You’ll learn through lectures, lab-sessions, graduate study days, and tutorials.
Learn more about your supervisors:
Assessment
The taught programme is continuously assessed through a variety of forms such as reports and essays. They are usually individual assessments, even if they concern the processes and outcomes of group work.
Duration
- 1 year full-time
- 2 years part-time
Student profile

Studying here was the best decision I have ever made. The lecturers are experts in their field, the facilities are great, and the city has a good ambience to study. I gained a lot of knowledge and sharpened my critical thinking here.
Christ Aryanto
MA Psychology of Music
Entry requirements
2:1 in music, psychology or a combined degree with a substantial music or psychology component.
Degrees in other related subjects may be acceptable depending on your background.
Overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.
We also accept a range of other UK qualifications and other EU/international qualifications.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.
Fees and funding
University funding and scholarships opportunities are available each year. Please check the department funding webpages for music specific scholarships. Department scholarships details are released in the January prior to the start of your course.
Apply
You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Contact
music-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 0495
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.