MA Sound and Music at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

An MA offering individual or collaborative work in composition, instrument design, musicology, performance and recording. The programme places music within cultural, critical and technological contexts and draws on SARC's interdisciplinary research strength, with 20 full-time places.

Faculty: Arts, English and Languages | Department: Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC) / Music | Duration: 1 year full-time | Intake: Late September 2027 (2027/28 entry) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Students develop knowledge of practices in their chosen field, emphasising creativity and innovation as well as scholarship, and may take modules in other areas.

Career pathways

Students join an international alumni network built over more than 75 years of music at Queen's, with regular contact with visiting artists and academics through the Music @ QUB events series.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, including music, performing arts, art and design, media production, ethnomusicology and creative technologies. Applicants with extensive relevant professional experience may be admitted via an RPEL statement including a sample of original work with a contextual paragraph and a link to an online recording of no more than 10 minutes (public performance extract, sound-based installation, instrument design demonstration or composition). Apply ideally no later than 13 August 2027. International applicants: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component (taken within the last 2 years), or an equivalent qualification.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,250 a year (2027/28). Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland rate Source

International applicants: GBP 24,400 a year (2027/28). International and EU Other rate; fees subject to annual inflationary increase Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 1 year full-time

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