MMus Popular Music

Overview & facilities

This is ideal for students wishing to study popular music theory, musicology, and the music industry, and who wish to develop their songwriting and performance skills to a professional level. You may hope to lay a firm foundation for a career in these areas or to progress to further academic study of popular music. You will produce a professional portfolio of your work and undertake a music project tailored to your specialist skills. The department enjoys links with well established organisations in the music industry and benefits from professionally-active staff in a wide range of music fields.

Content & modules

Modules

• Year 1

  Continuing Professional Development (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module prepares students for the rigours of their professional careers, e.g. for the workplace or further study, through discussion and emulation of professional music- and arts-specific competencies and skills respectively.

  Final Music Project (60 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to allow students to work independently on a major, Master s research project relating to their specialist field. Through the dissertation the student will demonstrate their research knowledge, skills and independent expertise in their chosen Music specialism.

  Musicology (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims, through a series of presented case studies, to develop in the postgraduate student an awareness of the current practical, phenomenological and historical branches of musicology; to broaden the student s musical knowledge and to provide experience of on-going professional-level research, the expected standards of which the student will be aiming towards in their final Music project.

  Popular Music Cultures (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Through a series of presented case studies, the module provides a specialised study of the pan-cultural perspectives of popular music, broadening students expertise and refining their interest in salient musical and extramusical concepts. This is achieved by focussing on interdisciplinary themes in the theoretical interpretation of popular music histories and practices.

  Songwriting and Performance (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module gives a platform to songwriters and performers by examining in theoretical and practical detail the skills and related concepts of their disciplines. Creative, stylistic and commercial contexts are explored alongside specialist evaluative and project-managing strategies.

The course is ideal for students wishing to acquire or develop their expertise in songwriting, performance, the music industry and/or musicology to a professional level. You may hope to lay a firm foundation for a career in these areas or to seek academic accreditation for experiences and skills to improve upon.

Modules are designed to enable you to develop a range of critical, practical, technical and research skills as you examine the history and criticism of popular music styles in theory and practice. You'll receive training in the craft of Songwriting & Performance in the module of that name, study musicological and extramusical concepts in Popular Music Cultures and Musicology, and also explore the music-industrial practices of popular music. Finally, you'll produce a professional portfolio of your work, though courses in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and a Final Music Project tailored to your specialist interests.

Entry & applying

Candidates are usually expected to possess a UK honours or equivalent degree normally classified 2:1 or above,or otherwise subject to interview in or related to candidate s intended specialism s .An applicant who is not a graduate may be admitted provided they have appropriate professional experience or hold other qualifications approved for this purpose.

Standard entry requirements

To be accepted to study on the MMus Popular Music, we normally require a good honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject. We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications and individuals with a minimum of three years' work experience. Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.

International entry requirements

We accept the equivalent of the above from a recognised overseas university, to find out more about the requirements from your country, see further information under support in your country.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all four components) or TOEFL paper based 575 (no less than 4.5 in test of written English) or TOEFL internet based 90 (with no less than 19 in each component) Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks, depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk. For details of other equivalent English language requirements that Middlesex accepts see international entry requirements.

How to Apply

Apply now

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. The quickest way to apply is by making an online application, once you have created your account and completed your application, you will be able to track the progress of your application online. Alternatively, you can fill in an application form and return it to the appropriate admissions office. UK and EU students should apply directly to the London office. Non-EU international students can apply to our international admissions office in London, or use our network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for MMus Popular Music for the academic year 2012/13 is as follows:

UK/EU Students

Full-time students: £6,000
Part-time students: £50 per taught credit

International Students

Full-time students: £10,600
Part-time students: £93 per taught credit

AHRC Masters studentships

We will be awarding Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Masters studentships to MMus Popular Music students wishing to start their course in October 2012. Successful applicants can expect to receive funding towards tuition fees and maintenance costs.

Find out more and how to apply 

Careers & placements

With a postgraduate qualification in Popular Music, you will have acquired skills which are transferable across various sectors of the music and cultural industries and allow career options including:

• arts administration and management;
• community and corporate arts workcopyright administration (royalty industry);
• education and training;
• live and session-based musical performance, including touring;
• music journalism/criticism;
• music research (including subsequent doctoral study);
• music publishing; production, retail and distribution of sheet music, recorded music and/or instruments;
• radio research, production and broadcasting;
• recording and audio editing industries, including studio production;
• representation, promotion and music marketing;
• songwriting and composition;
• venue management.