Overview
Develop your creative and professional music skills and shape your future in the music industry.
On our Music MA degree you’ll study with world-class specialists attuned to your individual aspirations and collaborate with a vibrant creative community.
Focus on your personal musical aims by specialising in performance, composition, or a structured mixture of both
Develop the professional skills needed to work within the contemporary musical world and utilise your skills and knowledge to teach the next generation of musicians.
Choose to specialise in:
- Western Classical Music
- Contemporary Pop
- Folk Music of Britain, North America, and Northern Europe
- Opera
- Jazz
- DJ-ing and Turntablism
- Improvised Music
- Electroacoustic Music and Sound Art
Studying a Music Master’s in Newcastle
Newcastle is one of the most exciting and diverse places to study music in the UK. We’re home to The Royal Northern Sinfonia, based at The Glasshouse, the renowned international music venue in Newcastle-Gateshead.
Many of the orchestra’s players teach on our classical music strand.
Newcastle is also a national centre for folk music. We have tutors who perform worldwide and one of the most innovative centres for experimental music in the country.
On our programme you’ll specialise in either:
- Music Performance
- Music Composition
You’ll develop professional and career skills in the contemporary musical world and understand how your knowledge may teach the next generation of musicians.
There are also many extra-curricular opportunities for performers. These include:
- the Newcastle University Symphony Orchestra
- a specialist chamber choir
- a contemporary jazz big-band
- musical theatre projects
- folk music groups
You’ll also have a wide range of popular music opportunities both inside and outside of the university.
This course was formerly titled the MMus Music, course code 5811F.
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
On our programme you’ll:
- become a skilled musician in your chosen area of specialisation
- learn the value of collaboration and communication with other musicians
- build networks extending beyond the classroom and into the wider music community
- gain a professional level of understanding of contemporary musical life
- develop your own strategies to support your future artistic development, as a performer, composer, or both
Music Performance Pathway
On the Music Performance pathway, you’ll develop your solo performance skills through expert-led instrumental or vocal lessons tailored to you as an individual musician.
You’ll learn ensemble musicianship, creative collaborations, and career development to prepare you for life as a professional musician.
There’ll also be many opportunities for live music in the city as both a performer and spectator. Major touring professional musicians play every week in the university’s free concerts series, as well as at The Glasshouse, and many other smaller venues.
You’ll develop skills in vocal and instrumental teaching, drawing on a range of professional practice modules including live music events, music, community, and wellbeing.
On this pathway you’ll work towards a major public performance project.
Music Composition Pathway
On the Music Composition pathway, you’ll work with a teacher to develop your technical and creative skills.
Combining what you’ve already learned, you’ll discover and evolve new approaches and techniques to help you to realise your aspirations and potential as a musician.
You’ll collaborate with other musicians on creative music projects, gaining insights into what’s needed to engage with the contemporary musical world.
On this pathway you’ll work towards presenting a portfolio of creative work, either live, or as a recording.
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.
All students on the Music Performance pathway will take all of the following compulsory modules:
You also take one optional 20-credit module in semester 2 from the School of Arts and Cultures in consultation with the Degree Programme Director.
Part time
Year 1
All part time students on the Music Performance pathway can choose to follow route A or B
Route A
All Route A students will take all of the following modules in year 1:
Module Title | Credits |
---|---|
MUS8020 Researching Music | 20 |
MUS8025 Performing Music | 20 |
MUS8031 Collaborative Music Making | 40 |
Route B
All Route B students will take all of the following modules in year 1:
Module Title | Credits |
---|---|
MUS8022 Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogy: Practice-based Teaching | 20 |
MUS8020 Researching Music | 20 |
MUS8031 Collaborative Music Making | 40 |
Year 2
Route A
All Route A students will take all of the following modules in year 2:
Module Title | Credits |
---|---|
MUS8022 Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogy: Practice-based Teaching | 20 |
MUS8264 Major Creative Project | 60 |
Route B
All Route B students will take all of the following modules in year 2:
Module Title | Credits |
---|---|
MUS8025 Performing Music | 20 |
MUS8264 Major Creative Project | 60 |
In the second year, you’ll take a 20-credit option from elsewhere in the School of Arts and Cultures in semester 2 to bring your total credit over two years to 180.
All students on the Music Composition pathway will take all of the following compulsory modules:
You also take one optional 20-credit module in semester 2 from the School of Arts and Cultures in consultation with the Degree Programme Director.
Part time
Year 1
All part time students on the Music Composition pathway can choose to follow route A or B
Route A
All Route A students will take all of the following modules in year 1:
Module Title | Credits |
---|---|
MUS8020 Researching Music | 20 |
MUS8026 Composing Music | 20 |
MUS8031 Collaborative Music Making | 40 |
Route B
All Route B students will take all of the following modules in year 1:
Module Title | Credits |
---|---|
MUS8020 Researching Music | 20 |
MUS8031 Collaborative Music Making | 40 |
SAC8001 Creative and Cultural Sectors: Past, Present, Future | 20 |
Year 2
Route A
All Route A students will take all of the following modules in year 2:
Module Title | Credits |
---|---|
MUS8264 Major Creative Project | 60 |
SAC8001 Creative and Cultural Sectors: Past, Present, Future | 20 |
Route B
All Route B students will take all of the following modules in year 2:
Module Title | Credits |
---|---|
MUS8026 Composing Music | 20 |
MUS8264 Major Creative Project | 60 |
In the second year, you’ll take a 20-credit option from elsewhere in the School of Arts and Cultures in semester 2 to bring your total credit over two years to 180.
How you’ll learn
Performance pathway students will have one-to-one instrumental or vocal lessons, alongside master classes delivered by university and visiting staff.
Composition pathway students will work one-to-one with a supervisor, enhanced with master class events.
In addition to lessons in performing or composing, practical workshops encourage you and your fellow students to share what you’ve learned.
You’ll join a supportive and inspiring community which will nurture your own artistic practice.
By working with professional musicians and top researchers, you’ll gain valuable insight into the local, national, and global contexts of your music. You’ll also learn different ways to integrate this understanding back into your own practice.
On our programme you’ll maintain a high level of private study activity including:
- Listening
- Studying existing repertoires
- Personal practice
- Creative work
Semester 1 focuses on developing skills in composition or performance to develop your in-dividual musicianship. We’ll also guide you through planning what you will do in semesters 2 and 3, focusing on your final major project.
Semester 2 focuses on working together in groups or ensembles, or, if you’re a composer, working with live musicians. You’ll apply your musicianship in “real world” professional-type situations. You’ll also develop skills in writing about music which are transferable skills with-in the wider arts sector.
Semester 3 allows you to immersive yourself in your main creative project. This may take the form of a live or recorded performance, such as:
- classical piano recital
- a group performance
- production of your own album of songs
- an experimental sound art installation
This is where you get to showcase your personal achievements on the programme.
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Design or creative project
- Observation of professional practice
- Oral presentation
- Performance
- Portfolio
- Written exercise
Additional assessment information
As part of the taught classes, you’ll receive regular feedback through group discussions and practical projects. We’ll assess you through:
- Live performances and/or portfolios capturing performance and composition
- Writing about music in different contexts, in relation to your own music and the work of others
- Presenting your work to other students, and eventually in public
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.
Your future
Further study
This course can provide preparation for PhD level study in music as a creative practice or in artistic research.
Careers
Our programme prepares you for a wide range of careers such as:
- Professional performing musician
- Professional composer across a range of genres
- Producer of music in many different practical applications
- Instrumental and/or vocal music teaching
- Music and arts administration
- Collaborations involving music in many different areas of practice such as film, theatre, games.
Careers support
Dr. Jane Nolan is our employability and enterprise champion for Music in the School of Arts and Cultures.
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
Rehearsal spaces
We have numerous rehearsal and practice facilities, reserved for the exclusive use of our Music students and ensembles. You’ll have access to a range of rehearsal spaces, including:
- 25 acoustically treated practice rooms
- five instrumental teaching rooms
- a large, acoustically isolated, ensemble/band practice room
- two large performance/rehearsal spaces (each seats up to 50 people)
- the University’s King’s Hall (seats 400 people)
Our eight large teaching spaces are also available after teaching hours for ensemble rehearsals and sectional practices. Larger rooms can be booked in advance on our online booking system and we’ve made sure that each room contains a piano.
Studios
Our professional recording and music production suites cater for a wide range of musical approaches. They provide a space for:
- full band multi-track recording
- professional levels of popular music/electronic dance music production
- electro-acoustic composition
- multimedia projects involving moving image and/or web-based audio-visual artworks
- sound art installations.
Our studios are interconnected allowing for cross-disciplinary and collaborative work throughout the building.
We have a very large range of professional portable recording equipment and tools designed for live electronics and live performance using digital and analogue technologies.
Performance spaces
Newcastle University has four main performance spaces.
The King’s Hall is situated at the heart of the Armstrong Building and can seat 400 people. There are regular concerts in here which you can find on the University’s Live in the King’s Hall page, and a new custom-built concert organ installed in 2018 has pride of place.
We have a dedicated Band Room for popular music practice in the custom-built Music Studios building that is configurable for teaching, rehearsing, recording and live public performances. It includes a full lighting rig and comprehensive “backline” technology.
The Recital Room is used for rehearsals, acoustic and chamber music, and various events organised both by the University and by local promoters.
Culture Lab is a more contemporary venue, excellent for performances using digital media, with an excellent Genelec loudspeaker system, and a professional cinema projection space.
In our performance spaces we have several Steinway grand pianos, an excellent harpsichord, a fortepiano, a custom built Aubertin pipe organ , Indian tabla, and a Javanese gamelan.
Read more about out the facilities in our Music department
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, conservatoire, or international equivalent, in music, or a related equivalent degree with a equivalent specialism in either musical performance or composition.
If you did not study performance or composition as part of your degree, but have a high level of skill (portfolio or audition at application) there may be circumstances where professional, or equivalent experience in the field may be considered alongside an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject area.