University of Chester
Popular Music MA
University of Chester

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Course Description

This is a modular course leading to the award of MA in Popular Music. The course will be of interest to those concerned with the exploration of all aspects of performance. Our course is designed to develop your creative skills and theoretical understanding to an advanced level.

Why study this course with us?

Our MA in Popular Music has pathways in: performance; songwriting and composition; and music studies.

Initially, you will follow a core curriculum that seeks to contextualise your own practice and start an engagement with the general field of study.

Our course offers you the opportunity to shape your learning through a series of modules that will enable you to integrate scholarly work with your own practice as a musician, composer or musicologist. Our modules consider current theoretical and practical debates in the subject area, and will guide you through the kind of research methodologies required at Master's level. You will be given the opportunity to negotiate the most effective means of approaching your subject, with a view to producing an intensive study of your specialism.

Assessment can take the form of performances, essays, practical presentations, lecture demonstrations, oral assessments, and the submission of portfolios of original music. Contact time is 3-4 hours (full-time) or 1.5-2 hours (part-time) per week. Workload is 40 hours (full-time) or 20 hours (part-time) per week.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Popular Music, MA, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Applicants will normally hold a 1st or 2:1 honours degree in a related subject. Consideration will be given to those who hold a lower classification who can demonstrate they are capable of performing at the level required to complete the course successfully. Where applicants are not progressing directly from a degree, professional experience and expertise may be taken into account.

Applicants will be expected to attend an audition and/or interview in order to demonstrate their suitability for the course.

International: Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also take into account appropriate work experience.

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of University of Chester in top UK and global rankings.

See all 14 university rankings of University of Chester

About University of Chester

The University of Chester, as the name suggests, is a university located in Chester. The university is formally affiliated with the Christian faith, but they make it clear in their mission statement that students of all faiths or no faith at all are welcome at their university. Chester operates from a total of six campuses, five of which are in Chester, the other in Warrington, with the main campus building being known as Parkgate Road Campus.

List of 330 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Chester - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Chester

undergraduates:
8005
postgraduates:
3300
Total:
11305
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Where is this programme taught

Creative Campus, Kingsway
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