SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Structure

The MMus programme involves taking three courses and writing a 10,000-word dissertation. In addition to these formal elements, students are expected to attend regular postgraduate and public seminars and may also participate in performance ensemble classes and other activities. 

Course Detail

The four formal elements of the MMus Ethnomusicology programme are:

1. The full unit core course Ethnomusicology in Practice.
   A broad introduction to the major themes of ethnomusicological study. Taught as a weekly two-hour lecture/seminar with additional tutorials. Part-time students must take this in their first year.
2. The Dissertation in Music.  
   A special study 10,000 words in length on a topic agreed with the candidate's supervisor. This will normally relate to the "major region" chosen below, but may instead deal with a theoretical or comparative topic. Part-time students normally take this in their final year.
3. A "Major Region" specialisation.
   Students must select one of the following six as their "major region": East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Middle East, Africa, Jewish Music and take a course or courses to the value of 1 unit from this list.  Part-time students normally take this in their first year, but because not all regional courses will necessarily be available in any one year, this may also be taken in year 2 or 3 if Department approval is obtained.
4. An approved "Minor" course.
   This is chosen from the "Minor Courses" list below, and may consist of one full course or two half-courses, taken in any year of registration.  Students may also choose courses from other departments in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities or MA Area Studies courses in the Faculty of Languages & Cultures, subject to the agreement of the course convenor.  They must relate to the same geographical region chosen in the Major Region specialisation above.
5. Students may also take approved courses from Kings College Department of Music - see this link for available options:  http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/music/study/pgt/mods12-13.aspx

Programme Specification

Programme specification currently subject to programme amendment procedure.

Major Region Courses

Choose either one full unit course or two half unit courses from the list below.

• Musical Traditions of East Asia (Masters) - 15PMUH016 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Pop and Politics in East Asia (Masters) - 15PMUH014 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Aspects of Music and Religion in South East Asia - 15PMUH017 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Popular and Fusion Music in South East Asia (PG) - 15PMUH018 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2013/2014
• Indian Classical Music - 15PMUC027 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Music in South Asian Culture (Masters) - 15PMUC005 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2013/2014
• Music and Healing - 15PMUH019 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Central Asian Music - 15PMUH008 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Popular Music and Politics in Israel - 15PMUH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Klezmer Music: Roots and Revival - 15PMUH011 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Music of the Near and Middle East and North Africa - 15PMUC033 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Atlantic Africa: (P)Layers of Mediation in African Popular Music (PG) - 15PMUC009 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2013/2014
• Music in Selected Regions of Africa: Contexts and Structures - 15PMUC006 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Music, Place and Politics in Cuba - 15PMUH015 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1

Minor Courses

Choose either (a) one full unit course or two half unit courses from the list below, or (b) choose, but subject to the agreement of the course convenor, courses from other departments in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities or MA Area Studies courses in the Faculty of Languages & Cultures. If you choose option (b), the course(s) will normally relate to the same geographical region chosen in the Major region specialisation. "Students may also take approved courses from Kings College Department of Music" see this link for available options: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/music/study/pgt/mods12-13.aspx

• African and Asian Cultures in Britain - 15PANH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• African and Asian Diasporas in the Modern World - 15PANH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Analysing World Music: Transcription & Analysis in Ethnomusicology - 15PMUH004 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2013/2014
• Composition - 15PMUH013 (0.5 Unit) - Full Year
• Gender and Music (MMus) - 15PMUH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Media Production Skills - 15PANH050 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Music in Development - 15PMUC034 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Performance - 15PMUC002 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Sound Recording and Production - 15PMSH025 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• The Music Business (Masters) - 15PMUH003 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

Programme Specification

• MMus Ethnomusicology Programme specification 2013 (msword; 133kb)

Teaching & Learning

Teaching & Learning

The Department of Music has been highly rated for teaching and research in all recent assessment exercises, and is regularly ranked amongst the top Music departments in the UK in Good University Guides.

Music students have access to the large Main Library of the School which holds numerous books, journals and recordings relevant to the study of ethnomusicology and world music, as well as the nearby British Library Sound Archive and other London libraries and museums.

The SOAS Library holds copies of standard reference works on music, such as the current edition of the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. The Grove dictionary and the RILM database can also be accessed on line from computer terminals in the Library or elsewhere on the SOAS network. Listening facilities are provided in the Library, and most CDs are available on short loan. Among special items in the Department’s collections are:

• field recordings, films and slides
• a large working collection of musical instruments from Asia and Africa
• extensive staff collections relating to specific research interests

Destinations

A postgraduate degree in Ethnomusicology from SOAS gives students greater intercultural awareness, improved competency in performance and a better understanding of global music which will enable them to continue in the field of research or engage in related work. Equally, they develop a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and creative capacities including interpersonal skills, communication skills, focus, team work, passion and dedication. A postgraduate degree is a valuable experience that provides students with a body of work and a diverse range of skills that they can use to market themselves with when they graduate.

Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:

How to apply

How to apply

• How to Apply
• Online Application
• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts

Scholarships

For further information visit the Scholarships section