Study at Cardiff | Postgraduate

Musicology (MA)

Course Aims:

To offer knowledge and expertise to pursue further research (PhD) and/or teaching.

Course Description:

Students with interests in music from 1700 to the present day will find much to stimulate their imagination, from the historical to the analytical and theoretical, with openings for contextual and broader cultural studies.

The programme aims to provide students with a solid basis in research techniques and methodology and to develop students’ critical independence, intellectual curiosity and integrity.

The modules on offer cover historical, analytical and theoretical issues. Those students who wish to embrace outlooks from a parallel sub-discipline will be able to choose from the full range of MA modules for part of their studies. The other relevant MA programmes are MA in Music, Culture and Politics and MA in Ethnomusicology.

You take four modules in Stage 1 which, once successfully completed, is followed by a final project in Stage 2. For the pattern of part-time study in Stage 1, please consult the School.

Further details of the modules in this programme are available from the School.

Stage 1

• MA Research Skills
• Issues in Musicology
• Two Musicology Options; students choose from a number of staff research-led topics

Stage 2

• Project (60 credits, submitted in mid-September).

This may take the form of a dissertation, (20,000 words), an edition and commentary, an analytical project, a theoretical discourse, or another approved written project.

Available Modules:

Research Skills: This module, shared with students taking other MA programmes in Music, covers practical topics including music bibliography, information technology, music editing and academic writing.

Historical and Critical Perspectives I/II: This module is an introduction to recurrent issues and problems within contemporary musicology. It covers issues such as authenticity, new musicology, canon, reception, music/text, gender, micro-history, biography, historiography and sketch study.

Case Studies I/II: In this module, students have an opportunity to work closely with members of staff on topics relating to the tutors’ expertise.

Performance Practice: This module enables students to examine the ways in which music is and has been performed and to prepare historically informed interpretations.

Special Features:

• The opportunity to explore in depth a number of related specialist modules and modern critical ideas while gaining experience in research methodology.
• Teaching is by seminar and individual tutorials.
• Students have access to extensive resources, including archival materials, housed in the Music Library. The Library also curates special donations such as the archive of the Dvorak Society. The Central European Music Research Centre (CEMRC) gives students access to further Czech and Polish sources.

Skills Acquired:

• Utilise research methodologies and skills effectively
• Collect and record relevant data, and apply appropriate appraisal techniques to carry out research
• Identify and analyse the potential of musicological research topics
• Engage effectively in debate in a professional manner and to prepare and present work at professional standard
• Exercise initiative, independent learning and personal responsibility in planning and implementing research tasks

Career Prospects:

Graduates of the programme may also wish to consider postgraduate research in the field at PhD level, availing themselves of the wide range of interests in music from 1700 to the present day.

Entry Requirements:

Suitable for graduates in Music.

A first or upper second class Honours degree, or equivalent. Evidence of appropriate skills in written and spoken English and foreign language skills (if relevant) is also required.

Note: International students pursuing part-time programmes of study are not eligible for Tier 4 General Student) visas and must have alternative leave to remain in the UK if they intend to study at the University in person.

Next intake: October each year

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