Program Overview

MA Music Performance: Vocal Studies

The MA Music Performance: Vocal Studies is a practitioner-led course designed to help students discover and establish their unique, authentic voice and sense of artistry. It fosters initiative and creativity by sustaining and developing vocal technique, knowledge, and repertoire.

Course Overview

• The course is led by Susan Young, who has considerable experience as a dedicated teacher, vocal health specialist, and active performer with great industry knowledge and insight.
• Intensive individual teaching combines with collaborative peer learning sessions, coaching with professional accompanists, and performance classes that encourage curiosity, diversity, and excellence.
• The course is beneficial to students wishing to gain vital skills and insight for performing their repertoire professionally, enabling them to be competitive, versatile, and responsive to the demands of life as a creative artist in the 21st century.

Course Content

• Throughout the year, students work individually and collaboratively to develop and hone their solo performance skills within a supportive environment.
• Seminars/workshops and performance classes cover a range of relevant topics, including vocal health, technique, reflective practice, language, text, and poetry, imagination, and drama skills.
• Repertoire is likely to include opera, musical theatre, art song, and contemporary classical, with an emphasis on independence and creativity.

Modules

Core Modules

• Recital I
• Developing Your Artistic Practice I
• Research Skills for Musicians
• Recital II

Option Modules

• Students take one option module, with examples including:
  • Collaborative Project
  • Case Studies in Music History II
  • Enhanced Student-Centred Pedagogy
  • Music and Human Flourishing

Final Project

• The course concludes with a substantial public recital showcasing artistic and scholarly insight through a programme of the student's own design.

Learning Outcomes

• Research independently and collaboratively with sophistication, close attention to detail, and creative flair.
• Lead or constructively contribute to advanced-level musical activity by performing and communicating about performance at a professional level.
• Plan and execute critically informed performances through rigorous planning and the application of appropriate principles and methods.
• Communicate at an advanced level on a range of issues relating to the history and present of musical repertoire and its performance.

Fees and Funding

Annual Tuition Fees for 2026/27

• Study mode:
  • UK (home):
    • Full-time (1 year): £12,000
    • Part-time (2 years): £6,000
  • International and EU:
    • Full-time (1 year): £27,250
    • Part-time (2 years): £13,625

Fees Information

• UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%).
• International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

Funding Opportunities

• UK government Masters loans
• Funding for UK students
• Funding for international students
• Chevening Scholarships
• Scholarships, awards, and bursaries for Music students

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching format: weekly seminars, performance classes, solo voice lessons, and tutorials.
• Facilities: outstanding facilities, including the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall and dozens of teaching rooms and practice facilities.
• Assessment and feedback: design and present up to two recitals and a final recital, with written and presentation assessments to develop communication and research skills.

Careers and Skills

• Career opportunities: music teacher, freelance solo performer, performance research and PhD study, private music tutor, community arts worker, member of a choir.
• Transferable skills: solo performance, repertoire knowledge, effective communication and presence, time management, teamwork, collaboration, auditions and rehearsals, peak performance tools, dealing with performance anxiety, reflective, mindful practice.

Entry Requirements

• Qualification: 2:2 or equivalent in Music or another relevant subject.
• Additional requirements: submit a sample of creative work with the application.
• English language: IELTS (Academic and Indicator) 6.0, minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent qualifications.

Applying

• Apply and send all documentation online.
• Provide a link to an online video recording of about 10 to 15 minutes of performing a varied repertoire of Western art music.
• A variety of languages may be shown, with the repertoire including Western Art Music, though musical theatre repertoire may also be included. Pop music will not be covered by the course.