Music MMus

What is special about this course?

This course is suitable for those involved in creating (composition, songwriting and production) or studying music, and who wish to expand their current field of expertise.

The MMus Music will introduce you to the fundamental principles of text-based, or practice-led research in popular and contemporary music. It provides unique and creative approaches to composition, songwriting, production and musicology, valuing musical creativity and innovation, musical diversity and intellectual curiosity. 

The course will help strengthen your ability to utilise independent learning whilst developing original and creative responses to problems and current complex issues. You will have the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen research area through pathway and optional modules.

You may also have the opportunity to attend conferences, gigs and networking events.

Special features

• The programme offers two pathways:
  • Music: Popular and Contemporary Music Practices pathway
  • Music: Popular and Contemporary Music Studies pathway
• You will gain the key skills and expertise to enable you to make an effective contribution to the creative industries

Entry requirements

• 2.1 honours degree or above in music or a related subject (or equivalent)
• You will also be required to attend an interview, with recent examples of your work
• Exceptionally, candidates without academic qualifications but with relevant experience may be considered for interview based on the submission of a portfolio of recent work or work-in-progress

*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

• BA (Hons) Popular Music
• BA (Hons) Music Business
• BSc (Hons) Audio Engineering
• BA (Hons) Applied Music
• BA (Hons) Gaelic and Traditional Music

PgCert

Music: Popular and Contemporary Music Practices pathway

You will study the following core modules:

• Collaborative project
• Approaches to record production

You will also choose one option module from the list below.

Music: Popular and Contemporary Music Studies pathway

You will study the following core modules:

• Collaborative project
• Understanding music

You will also choose one option module from the list below.

Option modules are:

• Pedagogy and praxis
• Contemporary musicology: art, commerce, media
• The tuning of nations: soundscape, place and memory
• An option module from our MA Music and the Environment programme

PgDip

Music: Popular and Contemporary Music Practices and Studies pathways

The core module is: research and practice-led methodologies: responses to research questions. You will also choose two option modules from the following:

• Making music (with) systems
• Sound, music, media
• Music, power and politics
• Popular musicology
• Scenes and identities
• An option module from our MA Music and the Environment programme

MMus

To complete the masters award you must complete a 15,000 word dissertation in a chosen field or equivalent practical major project, supervised by a tutor. Projects are not limited to, but could include:

• Songwriting and album production
• Multimedia performance
• Touring projects 
• (Film) composition work
• Installation and conceptual work

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.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), studying this course on-campus, the following fees apply:

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. 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.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying on-campus, the following fees apply:

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

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.