MMus Musica (performance)

We offer a broad-based MMus programme with three pathways: musicology, performance, and composition. All three pathways can be used as professional training for themselves, or as preparation for Ph.D. study. Students in our MMus programme benefit from intensive one-to-one instruction with world-leading experts in music history, cultural studies of music, performance studies, and analysis; internationally noted performers with active solo and ensemble careers; and prominent composers of contemporary art music, electronic music, media music (including film, television and video game music) and jazz.

Introducing your course

Do you want to know how great film scores were composed? Are you interested in the ideas behind musical performances? Expand your knowledge of the components and aspects of music with the MMus Music (Performance, Composition, and Musicology) at the University of Southampton and enhance your musical talents. This broad MMus programme will teach you the elements of musical performance, as well as the different genres of music. Gaining this experience across a variety of categories will prepare you for a successful career in the music industry.

Course Facts

• Degree Awarded: MMus
• Intake: Variable
• Average applications per place: 4
• Administered by: Humanities

The MMus programme in music provides a flexible course of study. Its goal is a professional research project, recital or composition portfolio. Tutors work with each student from the outset of the course to form a portfolio relevant to the student's specific professional aims, whether further research at doctoral level, a career in the music industry or the wider cultural sector, or work as a teacher or free-lance musician. We recognize that music has increasingly become a 'portfolio career' and aim to provide our MMus students with a platform for success in whatever area of music their aspirations lie. Thus the broad modular structure of our programme allows for cross-over between the pathways.

Typical entry requirements

Degree

First- or upper second-class honors degree, or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University of Music or a cognate discipline

Selection process

• Intake: Variable
• Average applications per place: 4
• Academic entry requirements: First or upper second class honors degree, or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University of Music or a cognate discipline.
• English language entry requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing, 6.0 in listening and speaking, or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University.
• Selection process: Online application and audition

The interview may be required on a case by case basis to assess the suitability of course.

Typical course content

• Core: Professional Recital 2
• Compulsory modules: Elements of musical performance; Performance teaching seminar; Professional recital 1, Individual Research Project
• Optional module: Analytical Techniques and Performance teaching seminar can be replaced by Individually Negotiated Topic or another Humanities MA module.

Learning & Assessment

You will develop your knowledge and understanding through tutor-led seminars, the preparation of presentations and student-led seminars, individual instrumental or vocal lessons, study visits, independent study, and practice.

The different modules making up the MMus will assess your practical skills in different ways, including group and individual presentations, coursework essays and analyses, and the recitals.

Over 6,500 international students from more than 135 countries choose to study at the University of Southampton each year. In addition, we have links with universities and partners around the world, making us a truly international institution.

Here at Humanities , we are fascinated by people and their activities and achievements over the centuries, from prehistory to the modern day. We are well-known for ground-breaking and internationally-significant research and education across our wide-ranging disciplines, most of which are ranked in the top ten across British universities .

Knowing what makes human beings tick is more important than ever in these turbulent times. Studying for a degree in one of our disciplines offers people new insights into humanity and prompts the kind of intellectual vitality and creative energy that springs from a deep passion for learning and teaching.

Our world-class academic staff provide our undergraduates and postgraduates with the highest level of tuition and support, their expertise always based directly on their personal research.

As well as working within their own fields, our academics work together across the disciplines to further knowledge. This means thought-provoking subjects such as slavery can be examined from several perspectives to give students a comprehensive picture of the complex issues.

Our innovative research centres bring together researchers to focus on broad topics such as the 18th century and Medieval and Renaissance worlds. We also host the unique Parkes Institute for Jewish/non-Jewish Relations and the Parkes Library, one of the largest collections of Jewish archives in Europe.

Our cutting-edge research informs our teaching, which is regularly recognised as second-to-none in the annual National Student Survey. Throughout Humanities, our academic members of staff are friendly and approachable; always willing to help and support their students to succeed.

Postgraduate opportunities for you

Ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2018), with 200 taught courses and more than 90 research courses on offer, Southampton has the world-renowned academics and facilities to help you become the best in your field.

Choosing to study at Southampton means becoming part of a vibrant, postgraduate community.

Take your place at the cutting-edge, among some of the most talented students and academics in the world.

Southampton is the largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England.

We are situated 75 miles from London; 19 miles from Portsmouth and 12 miles from Winchester. We are only a few minutes from the New Forest National Park which is 219 square miles of beautiful parkland and forest. Much of South-west Hampshire is beautiful countryside which extends into south-east Wiltshire and towards the east of Dorset. We are also very close to Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world and the best known prehistoric monument in Europe.

Southampton has a population of approximately 220,000 and is one of the UK's most green and pleasant metropolitan areas. Southampton has its own airport and fast rail links to London and the rest of the UK. Being located on the south coast we are the home of Carnival UK and have the largest cruise ships in the world visit us on a regular basis.

Southampton is also the home of Southampton Football Club which competes in the Premier League and The Ageas Bowl, the home of Hampshire County Cricket Club.