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MA in Music - Learning Outcomes

Educational aims

This taught postgraduate programme in music will:

  • allow you to specialise in a musical area of particular interest
  • train you to apply advanced techniques of academic study in music
  • increase your knowledge and understanding of a range of key issues, methods, sources, and academic modes of communication
  • enable you to explore how research informs discourses around musical practice broadly conceived (including composition, performance, recording, curation).

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of the programme are described in four areas.

Knowledge and understanding

When you have completed this masters degree you will have a sound knowledge and understanding of:

  • the diversity, purposes and cultural and thematic breadth of research in music
  • investigative methods, critical perspectives and creative approaches to the study of music, and the ways in which these have been applied
  • how to use evidence, methodology and interpretation in music research
  • how research in music can inform musical practice and vice versa.

Cognitive skills

When you have completed this degree you will be able to:

  • assess different ideas, debates and methodological approaches within music research
  • analyse and engage critically with a range of sources relevant to music research.

Practical and/or professional skills

When you have completed this degree you will be able to:

  • engage with bibliographic tools and digital resources, including databases, digital archives and online collections
  • conduct research independently
  • plan, organise and manage your own learning and manage your own projects.

Key skills

When you have completed this degree you will be able to:

  • find and evaluate digital and physical sources relating to music
  • analyse data and structure arguments
  • communicate ideas effectively in a range of formats and for different audiences using appropriate academic conventions.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

The study materials are presented through two ten-month modules. The teaching materials supporting the MA in Music are delivered entirely online, with access provided to a large number of digital resources through the module website and via the OU library.

Learning outcomes are assessed by means of tutor-marked assignments (TMAs), an end-of-module assessment (EMA) and a dissertation. Part 1 is assessed by three TMAs and one EMA, providing you with the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the broad themes of this module. Part 2 includes three TMAs and a 12,000-word dissertation. Across the qualification, you will have the opportunity to complete a diverse range of assessments, including blog posts, reviews, research presentations and essays.

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