MA in Music (Ethnomusicology), Goldsmiths, University of London

MA in Music (Ethnomusicology)

The MA in Music (Ethnomusicology) introduces a range of methodologies in relation to the study of music in its cultural contexts. As well as engaging with musical practices in various geographic or cultural areas, the programme acknowledges the importance of urban ethnomusicology and the usefulness of applying ethnomusicological approaches to Western art and popular music. You have the opportunity to engage with key ethnographic methodologies, such as interviewing, videoing and video editing, and musical performance as a research technique.

Length:
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.

Applying:

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You will normally be required to attend an interview, and you may be asked to submit examples of your written work in advance. If you wish to be exempted from interview, you should send at least one example of your written work in English (such as an essay of at least 1,500 words on a relevant topic), certified to be your own.

Find out more about applying

Entrance requirements:

You should normally have, or expect to have, a first-class or upper second-class Honours degree in Music, or an equivalent qualification. Your qualification should comprise a substantial academic element relevant to the selected MA pathway and option choices. For the generic MA in Music award you should write a detailed proposal explaining the rationale for your choices and how these provide a coherent programme of study leading to dissertation. A detailed transcript of your degree is preferred.

We also encourage applications from people without formal qualifications who can demonstrate equivalent professional experience, in which case you are advised to enclose with your application examples of your written work.

If your first language is not English, please check our English Language requirements.

Careers:
The programme will be exceptionally useful for, for example, students preparing for further postgraduate research, or for those considering careers in teaching, journalism, arts administration or the culture industries, or working with government agencies or charities abroad.

Skills:
Awareness of key ethnographic methodologies; investigation and evaluation skills; intellectual skills in music; specific research skills.

Fees:
Please see Tuition fees.

Staff research interests:
Please see Staff research interests.

Contact the department:
Contact Dr Barley Norton

About the department:
Music

Download a booklet [PDF, 712KB]

The innovative structure of the programme allows you to specialise in one of these areas if you wish, leading to a final project that itself may have a significant practical component, and you have the opportunity to undertake fieldwork projects as part of your studies. A written dissertation option is also available, allowing you to engage in depth with an issue that interests you.

The programme appeals to a wide range of students hoping to develop their intellectual skills in music, particularly those with interests in music as a cultural phenomenon. It is exceptionally useful, for example, for students preparing for further postgraduate research, or for those considering careers in teaching, journalism, arts administration or the culture industries, or working with government agencies or charities abroad.

What you study

The programme comprises:

1. Core (two courses) : Contemporary Ethnomusicology, Research Methods in Music and Contemporary Culture.

2. Options. (two courses): Critical Musicology and Popular Music, Ethnographic Film and Music Research, Musicological Theory, Popular Music: Listening, Interpretation and Analysis, Philosophies of Music, Performance as Research.

3. Ethnomusicology Major Project – either
a) Dissertation, b) Ethnographic Film Project or c) Performance Project.
[If you take options b) or c) you are expected also to take Ethnographic Film and Music Research or Performance as Research respectively]

Register your interest

If you register your interest in this programme we will keep you informed about open days and send you relevant further information. If you subsequently decide to apply for this programme you will be able to use the same login details to apply.