Music Education

The Music Department at Kingston welcomes UK, EU and international students to study for an MA in Music Education. The programme is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and understanding of both current and prospective music educators. You learn through academic study and practice within both a UK and international music education context.

What will you study?

You will have the unique opportunity to investigate the UK system of music education, consider major issues in international music education research and undertake a comparative study of music education practices across different cultures. You will develop and implement a musical project within an educational environment and undertake a substantial research project on a topic of your own choice.

Alongside this core of study, which encompasses key research issues in music as well as in music education, you can choose from a variety of option modules and develop new skills to exploit in your own teaching.

As part of the broader musical community you will also be able to further enhance your performance skills by participating in some of the many University ensembles.

The range of events and lectures in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences enhances your studies and adds an extra perspective to your learning. You will have the chance to get involved with a range of music groups at the University, including:

• orchestras - including a wind orchestra;
• a chorus, jazz vocal ensemble and chamber choir;
• ensembles for wind brass, early music, new music, Afro-contemporary and Djembe;
• Javanese gamelan;
• chamber groups;
• a big band; and
• many jazz, rock and pop groups.

Regular events include:

• an annual series of concerts at leading local venues - featuring the groups above plus the winners of student competitions in composition, concerto playing and conducting;
• the chance to participate in Borough events such as the annual Kingston Arts Festival and Kingston Early Music Festival;
• smaller events such as lunchtime concerts within the University and community venues, such as hospitals and schools;
• masterclasses and workshops by national and international performers and composers - recent visitors include Robert Taub, Jane Manning, Steve Martland, the Arditti String Quartet, Brian Ferneyhough, Kathron Sturrock, Anna Noakes and Paul Archibald;
• research seminars - covering issues ranging from musical iconography to examining musical performance.

The vibrant student-run MAD (Music And Design) society helps manage events as well as organising social activities for students.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Core modules

• Colloquia
• Comparative International Music Education
• Major Project
• Music Education in the UK: Theory and Practice
• Psychology of Musical Learning, Communication and Expression
• Researching Music
• Those Who Can, Teach: Contemporary Issues in Music Education

Optional modules

• Advanced Production of Popular Music
• Popular Music Composition
• Recording Techniques
• Sound Design
• Techniques and Technology for Composing for Film and Television
• The Aesthetics of Musical Performance
• The Marketing of Popular Music
• Applied Musical Skills
• Conducting
• Music in Context
• British Cinema 1960-1990
• Gender and Sexuality in European Cinema
• Mapping World Cinema
• New Hollywood: from the mainstream to the margins
• Place and Identity in European Cinema(s)

- A second class degree or above in music and/or relevant experience.- International students must have an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalentSamples of workProspective students need to send in an essay of around 1,500 words on a music topic.InterviewsAdmission depends upon a satisfactory interview and submission of relevant work. International students based overseas can arrange for an interview by email or telephone.Prior learning - AP(E)LApplicants with prior qualifications and learning may be exempt from appropriate parts of a course in accordance with the University's policy for the assessment of prior learning and prior experiential learning. English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B)