Musicology: Utrecht University

About the programme

The Research MA in Musicology offers advanced research training and academic insight into the theoretical and artistic principles that underlie the manifestations of music in different historical periods and cultures, and into the contextual circumstances that shape and influence the production, distribution and reception of music.

Musicology as practiced at Utrecht University today focuses on Western music from the Middle Ages to the present. Although the emphasis, in both teaching and research, is on historical rather than systematic musicology, there is a strong tendency to integrate the attainments of both approaches.

Career Opportunities

Students who have completed the programme will have:

• Acquired a thorough knowledge of the methodological and theoretical concepts of musicology as practiced today, from both disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives, enabling them to critically assess the value and practical usefulness of research in the field;
• Acquired up-to-date knowledge of the most current hermeneutic, empirical and theoretical developments in musicology, enabling them critically to reflect on these as well as to formulate cutting-edge proposals for further research;
• Gained experience with the most commonly used research methods, coupled with an understanding of the advantages and limitations of those methods;
• Gained the ability to make their own contributions to scholarship and research in the field, and to communicate research results in written and oral form at a level suitable for professional academic (disciplinary and interdisciplinary) discourse.

After successfully completing the Master's programme in Musicology, graduates will be able to formulate a research proposal for a PhD project concerning a particular aspect of musicology.

Entrance Requirements

The holder of a Dutch or foreign higher education degree who demonstrates knowledge, insight and skills in the following fields will be admitted to this Master’s programme:

1. Knowledge in the field of one of the humanities at Bachelor's degree level;
2. Insight into one of the humanities at Bachelor’s degree level;
3. Skills with regard to carrying out research and reporting on one of the humanities at Bachelor’s degree level;
4. A clear interest in Musicology, which is shown by having taken at least 45 ECTS of components in this field of study at Bachelor’s degree level (or equivalent);
5. Demonstrable knowledge of the main types of research issues and methods in the field of Musicology;
6. Knowledge of the basic concepts that are used in research in the field of Musicology;
7. Knowledge, insight and skills that are required for carrying out research; these must be demonstrated through references and/or marks that show that the student belonged to the top 10% of graduating students in his/her Bachelor’s degree programme or equivalent thereof;
8. Strong motivation for carrying out scientific research and ambition to follow a programme to become a starting scientific researcher; this must be demonstrated clearly in an admission letter and an admission interview.

English proficiency

All other applicants, including applicants who hold a Dutch HBO diploma (diploma of higher professional education), must provide proof of proficiency in English. To do so, you are required to take one of the following English language tests:

• IELTS, Academic Module. Minimum score: 6.5 overall band, at least 6 for writing. IELTS is the test preferred by Utrecht University.
• TOEFL, Internet based. Minimum score: 93. Institutional scores are not accepted. The TOEFL institution code for Utrecht University is 9062.
• Cambridge Certificates
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English at least a B grade.
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English at least a C grade.