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

The Department of Music has a strong tradition of research, and encourages applicants for research degrees. Please note that research topics do not need to focus on Africa, Asia or their diasporas but can explore other topics under the broad rubric of ethnomusicology. Students are tackling a wide range of topics and cultures, including composition, American jazz etc. A sample list of past Music research students, their thesis topics and subsequent careers is at the end of this Handbook.

All research students are admitted as MPhil candidates who, subject to satisfactory progress by the end of year 1, can be upgraded to PhD candidates. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their background and academic achievements; they should normally possess a UK Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent. Applicants who are accomplished performers or teachers or who work in the music industry may make valid claims to possess alternative qualifications, and are encouraged to apply. Partial funding for the costs of this programme may be available via the AHRC’s Doctoral Awards Scheme (see the AHRC's main website: www.ahrc.ac.uk).

Unless applicants can demonstrate prior research preparation and training (as urged by the AHRC), we may expect them to go through the MMus course before registering for a research programme. This is true especially when an applicant has graduated in a subject other than ethnomusicology, or when students want to research the music of a single culture – often their own culture. Candidates are expected to attend public and research seminars, and may also be required to attend relevant area music courses, other courses from the MA Area Studies lists, and/or undergraduate language courses. The School may also impose an English language requirement on applicants for whom English is a second language. Students must also give research seminars based on their work.

Each MPhil/PhD student is assigned an individual supervisor, or in rare cases two joint supervisors. Joint supervision may occasionally be interdisciplinary. A Supervisory Committee, consisting of three academic staff, assesses progress at regular intervals.