Study at Cardiff | Postgraduate

Musicology (Thesis) (PhD/MPhil)

Programme Aims:

To offer knowledge and expertise for a career in higher education and writing about music.

Programme Description:

We offer a wide range of expertise, with particular strength in the following areas:

• Critical Musicology: Aesthetics and Philosophy of Music, especially in modern times.
• Ethnomusicology: African (including African diaspora); Celtic and Islamic regions, especially from an anthropological perspective; other areas may be considered.
• Historical Musicology: Contemporary British Music, Czech Music c.1850-1930, Music and Musical Life in Vienna 1750-1830, Music and Aesthetic Debate in the C18th, Opera in France in the C19th, Music and Society in C19th Britain, Performance Practice, Polish Music from Chopin to Lutowslawski, Popular Music, Stravinsky, Post-war French Music. Other areas may be considered.

These areas are cross-fertilised by other staff specialisms which include:

• Biographical studies
• Historiography of music
• Performance practice and organology
• Sketch and source studies
• Music and politics
• Popular culture and aesthetics
• Analytical and theoretical perspectives

The text of a PhD thesis should not normally exceed 80,000 words (excluding bibliographies and appendices). Please contact the programme director for information on possible research areas.

There are some bursaries available to cover tuition fees available for well qualified students, please contact the programme administrator for more information.

Special Features:

• Internationally acknowledged expertise
• Fruitful scope for co-supervision between specialist areas
• Specialist archives in many areas
• An active programme of international conferences
• Students attend a weekly postgraduate discussion group, which tackles a broad range of issues, including recent guest lectures

Entry Requirements:

Suitable for graduates in music, especially in the fields of historical musicology, music aesthetics, theory and analysis.
Candidates are normally expected to have a 1st or upper 2nd class Honours degree, or equivalent, and to have completed, or be about to complete, a taught Master's degree involving music.

Applicants must also show evidence of appropriate skills in written and spoken English, plus any relevant foreign language skills (if relevant).

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: The University has four entry points for research degrees; 1st October, 1st January, 1st April or 1st July

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