Overview
Gain a comprehensive understanding of music education in its varied practical, creative and cultural dimensions.
On our Music Education MA you’ll be taught by academics with extensive research and practical experience in the fields of:
- Formal and informal music education
- Community music
- Music therapy
- Early childhood music education
- Vocal and instrumental pedagogy and leadership
- Music technology in the classroom
You’ll actively contribute to the musical lives and music education of young people in the region, gaining vital practical experience of working with children and young people in real-world music education contexts.
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
As a student on the Music Education MA programme you’ll learn about:
- Pupil-centred approaches to music teaching and learning
- The benefits of informal teaching methods
- Music learning to support health and wellbeing
- The digital musical lives of young people and music educators
Develop your skills, experience and contacts by engaging with local and regional schools, or with music education organisations, and community music.
Utilise the University’s relationships with local organisations including: The Glasshouse, Samling Academy, regional music education hubs and local schools.
Learn more about the benefits of music therapy in a charity setting through our partnership with Nordoff Robbins.
Graduate with the skills required to forge a career as an inspirational music educator, able to effectively support learners to follow their own musical aspirations.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Music Education MA full time modules
All students will take all of the following compulsory modules:
All students will take one of the following modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| MUS8027 Live Music Events | 20 |
| MUS8030 The Recording Industry, IP and AI | 20 |
With the approval of the Degree Programme Director and depending upon the academic background of the candidate, alternative optional modules to those listed above may be selected.
Music Education MA part time modules
Year 1
All students will take all of the following compulsory modules:
Year 2
All students will take all of the following compulsory modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| MUS8020 Researching Music | 20 |
| MUS8032 Music Research Project | 60 |
All students will take one of the following modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| MUS8027 Live Music Events | 20 |
| MUS8030 The Recording Industry, IP and AI | 20 |
How you’ll learn
You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including:
- Lectures
- Interactive seminars
- Practice-based workshops
- Small group tutorials
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Essay
- Oral presentation
- Report
- Research proposal
- Research paper
- Written examination
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Our programme has a team of dedicated and friendly experts, who are here to support you through your student journey at Newcastle.
- Dr Julia Partington – Degree Programme Director
- Nancy Kerr Elliott – Lecturer in Folk and Traditional Music
- Professor Paul Fleet – Professor of Authentic Music Theory
- Professor Kirsten Gibson – Professor of Early Modern Music and Culture
- Fred Hollingsworth – Technical Expert & Team Leader: Music
- Dr Larry Zazzo – Senior Lecturer in Music
Your future
Professional skills
Equip yourself with the ability to work effectively with a variety of young and adult learners in music.
You’ll gain exceptional music leadership and facilitation skills as well as an excellent understanding of the value of learner-focussed approaches to music education.
Research skills
Develop critical, academically rigorous and practical research methods.
This will enable research in the fields of music education, music technology teaching, music learning as it relates to wellbeing and community music.
Practical skills
Plan and produce teaching resources suitable for a range of ages and instruments.
You’ll reflect on the key theoretical, subject-specific and practical concerns of music education and community music practice, then apply them to practical music teaching and leadership.
You can also choose to develop creative and research projects concerning music education and community music contexts.
Careers
You’ll graduate with the skills needed to inspire young people to continue their music education. Your future career options may include:
- working as an education officer
- developing music education resources
- working as a freelance teacher of music in schools or from home
- providing music therapy for children and adults
- working for a music hub, charity, education department or arts organisation
- going on to PhD study
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 90 for Arts and Humanities – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
We have outstanding specialist music facilities including studios and performance spaces. Our £4.5m purpose-built Music Studios were designed with performance, multimedia and studio-based work in mind.
Read more about out the facilities in our Music department
Our facilities include:
- two professional-grade recording studios
- a range of recently refurbished rehearsal and performance spaces
- a work area with PCs featuring specialist music software
- a project room equipped with 5.1 mixing system
- a full range of recently refurbished teaching facilities, including a 100-seat lecture theatre, two 50 seat lecture theatres and three 25-seater seminar room
- a large student common room and a new refreshments and social lounge
- a dedicated postgraduate workspace
- 12 practice rooms with integrated recording facilities
The University Library provides access to:
- extensive music collections (including a number of important manuscript and microfilm collections)
- subscriptions to many specialist music journals
- a significant body of online resources
See more about the University Library’s special collections
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 or above from a UK university or international equivalent, in music, music education, and/or arts education or a related degree.
There may be circumstances where professional experience in the field may be considered alongside an undergraduate degree in a relevant field.
