Music MA
- Creative arts
- Music
- Postgraduate
From music production, to composition, to education, Kingston University's Music MA gives you the opportunity to explore a breadth of cutting-edge musical topics.
The MA Music course is offered with either specialist pathways to focus your studies within production, composition, performance or education, or with a selection of optional modules to shape around your creative interests and professional ambitions.
Become the musician you want to be
Shape the course around your creative interests and professional ambitions.
Music MA general pathway
Whether you’re aiming to advance your artistic practice, pursue academic research, or develop industry‑focused skills, the MA Music provides a flexible, interdisciplinary environment that supports your goals.
Studying MA Music with its flexible options can lead to an exciting range of careers, both in the industry or in a related field. Previous graduates of Kingston University have gone on to work in recording and production, teaching, publishing, education, composition and more. If you’re already employed, this programme could accelerate your promotion prospects.
During the course, you’ll explore research methods alongside practical, creative learning. You’ll focus on a particular area of your choice for a major composition, production, or written portfolio project – a great way to showcase your skills and prepare for future opportunities. Kingston’s music courses focus on creativity, which makes this programme perfect for taking your composition, production or teaching skills to the next level.
Outside the programme, you’ll have the opportunity to join University ensembles and form your own. Throughout the year, you’ll be able to attend masterclasses and workshops with performers and composers, as well as live performances at London’s major venues.
Specialist pathways
You might also be interested in focusing your skill development and specialising in one area of music studies to meet your career ambitions. Our MA specialist pathways are offered in composition, production, performance and education.
The Music MA allowed me to tailor the course, so I could study exactly what I wanted to – no other University I looked at was as flexible as Kingston.
Why choose this course
While you study, you’ll benefit from top quality teaching at Kingston University. We’re ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, and our highly experienced academic staff are active performers, composers and producers themselves.
The Coombehurst Complex and Visconti Studio
As a music student, you'll access a range of professional studio facilities, labs and practice rooms. At Kingston Hill’s Coombehurst complex there are multiple recording studios, mixing and editing rooms, a 5.1 surround studio, and a Synth Lab for exploring analogue synthesis.
You'll also be able to use our flagship Visconti Studio, an analogue-meets-digital space with a 300m² octagonal live room and a selection of vintage and rare recording equipment.
You can book a range of recording and performing instruments, rooms and equipment through our online system.
Music in the library
The Nightingale Centre’s music library holds an extensive collection of books, anthologies, scores, sheet music, periodicals, and audio and video recordings. Kingston also subscribes to Grove Music Online and the Naxos online recordings catalogue. You can access these resources from any University workstation.
The Art School Experience
As part of Kingston School of Art, students benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice.
Our workshops and labs are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
Course content
You will learn alongside other MA Music pathways in three core modules integrating practical and theoretical learning through project-based, interdisciplinary approaches rooted in arts school pedagogy. You’ll also develop an understanding and critical awareness of contemporary issues, debates, and practices informed by the discipline.
As an MA Music student, you will choose two optional modules (one in Teaching Block 1 and one in Teaching Block 2), giving you the freedom to explore new areas or deepen your expertise within your chosen pathway. Advanced Studies in Music Education and Sound Materials is offered in the first teaching block. Advanced Studies in Composition, Advanced Studies in Production and Performing and Teaching Music, are offered in the second teaching block.
Please note, optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Modules
Core modules
Optional modules (Please note, these optional modules will vary from year to year)
Optional placement year
Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University allow students to do a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the work placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Student Route visa.
Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Professional Placement
Kingston University is a great place to develop as a musician, and I've had a fantastic time here. The staff are really helpful and the Visconti Studio is a brilliant place to record.
Career opportunities
After you graduate
You could go on to a role in the music profession, a teaching position or even further studies such as a PGCE, MPhil or PhD. The blended nature of this MA means you’ll graduate equipped for a range of careers in areas like:
- Music and arts administration
- The music business
- School, higher education and instrumental teaching
- Outreach work and educational workshops
- Music composition and arranging
- Music publishing
- Wider commercial and business environments
Teaching and assessment
As a music student, you'll be taught a range of musical styles and encouraged to explore a wide range of genres, taking a hands-on, practical and creative approach to learning and develop your critical skills through engagement with new ideas and methods. Assessment is primarily through practical work, complemented by written and presentation assignments that will help you hone your analytical skills and your ability to communicate the value of your artistry.
Fees and funding
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Fees for future course years
Part time
If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years.
If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase.
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. Find out more through the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
Interested in studying a Music MA at Kingston? The following funding support is available:
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop-down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
After you apply
If the admission tutor wants to see your portfolio, we will email asking you to upload your zipped portfolio to the OSIS portal within three weeks. If we need more information or want to invite you for an interview, we will be in touch directly. After that you will then hear whether your application has been successful.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
