Music and the Environment MA
Course code W302
What is special about this course?
Creative artists make a significant contribution to the sustainability of the creative economy, particularly in rural communities.
The MA Music and the Environment provides a foundation for musicians to develop new paths for creative, entrepreneurial and environmentally responsible endeavours. In addition, the course equips musicians to work within their own community, establishing effective and successful contributions to their local economy.
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Special features
- Opportunity to work in one of the richest natural and cultural environments in the world, with leading musicians and experts, set in the heritage and historical context
- Chance to work on real-life work scenarios to develop new works, performances and enterprises in local settings across the Highlands and Islands
- You will gain key skills and expertise to form complex and compelling artistic works, with a clear understanding of relevant environmental factors
- You will acquire skills to create sustainable enterprises and make a contribution to the creative economy and network of other artists in the UK and Europe
Entry requirements
- Relevant honours degree OR
- Professional musicians, composers and creative entrepreneurs without a degree but with relevant work experience are welcome to apply and will be considered on an individual basis
*Funding support notice*
Postgraduate Loans (SAAS) (Scottish domiciled and EU students)
Loans for tuition fees are available from SAAS for eligible Scotland domiciled and EU students, and loans for living costs for eligible Scottish students.
Access routes
Students can access the programme from a range of our undergraduate programmes including:
PgCert
You will study the following core modules:
- Music and the environment: space, place, and people (S1)
- Music creation and collaboration (S1)
You will also choose one option from a range of music and humanities modules to best match your personal interest and passion, for example:
- Identity and music: Celtic connections across the Atlantic Arc (S1)
- Scotland’s customs: traditional beliefs and folklore (S1)
PgDip
You will study the following core module:
- Sustainable creative endeavour in contemporary society (S2)
You will also choose one option module which may include:
- Music recording and production (S2)
- Making practice matter (S2)
- Tuning of the nations: soundscape, place and memory (S2)
MA
To achieve the award of MA you must also complete a final project or dissertation (S3).
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will study through supported online learning using the university's virtual learning environment (VLE). This includes video conference lectures (available in real-time or recordings) and the opportunity to attend an initial face-to-face residential. You will be responsible for covering any costs such as travel and accommodation for attendance at the residential.
- You can study this off-campus masters from any location, including internationally.
- You will be enrolled at and receive support from one of the campuses listed opposite.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 15 months
- Part-time (structured): minimum 3 years
- Part-time (unstructured): maximum 6 years
Where can I study my course?
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides
- Orkney
- Shetland
Start date
- September
- January
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £584 | £610 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £1,752 | £1,830 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £3,504 | £3,660 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £5,256 | £5,490 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status, the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £780 | £840 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £2,340 | £2,520 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £4,680 | £5,040 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £7,020 | £7,560 |
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. These students will get an automatic fee scholarship.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | With scholarship | 2025-26 | With scholarship | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,110 | £833 | £1,200 | £900 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £3,330 | £2,499 | £3,600 | £2,700 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £6,660 | £4,998 | £7,200 | £5,400 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £9,990 | £7,497 | £10,800 | £8,100 |
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying online from their home country, or assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,110 | £1,200 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £3,330 | £3,600 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £6,660 | £7,200 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £9,990 | £10,800 |
This course is not available to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international postgraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying full-time can access loans up to £11,500 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £7,000 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £4,500.
Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS. You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £7,000, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study.
Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.
Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company.
What can I do on completion of my course?
This course prepares students for various careers in the creative industries:
- Performing musician
- Composer or arranger
- Creative entrepreneur
- Community musician
- Event organiser
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I chose UHI as the course looked innovative and flexible. It pushed me into new and much more experimental ways of thinking about my existing practice, whilst also providing contextual modules that broadened my knowledge base and helped consolidate academic skills. The mix of distance learning and residential weeks was ideal for fitting around my existing work commitments. By the time I finished the course, my musical output had evolved in an entirely different direction from where I started, which was a very positive outcome.
I particularly enjoyed the collaborative practice involved throughout the course- although my peers were located all over the country, we managed to create some unique work. The residential weeks were stimulating, enjoyable and allowed us to meet as a group- there is a sense of a real community. The MA Music and the Environment was a fantastic experience, I’d do it all over again!
Morag studied the MA Music and the Environment at UHI North, West and Hebrides.
Apply for Music and the Environment MA
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.