Music and Philosophy, MA

Introduction

Music at Aberdeen offers the opportunity to learn, compose and perform with world-renowned composers, conductors, musicologists and researchers working in all genres, styles and periods. You will grow as a musician and performer while seeking to understand the world around us and how we might answer the Big Questions that humans have wrestled with throughout the ages. You will gain the strong intellectual skills sought by employers in many fields and transferable to a wide range of careers.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• Location of Study: Aberdeen
• UCAS Code: VW53

Philosophy attempts to answer questions such as: What is knowledge? What is the nature of truth? Why should we act morally? Philosophy is just as much the study of reasoning and argument as it is the application of thought to specific problems.

What makes Philosophy at Aberdeen especially attractive is the breadth of courses, the user-friendly materials you will use and the experts who will teach you. In your first year alone, you can study topics such as How Should One Live? Controversial Questions, and Experience, Knowledge and Reality.

In Music Studies, you can develop your interests and abilities in music through courses in performance, composition, theory, musicianship and history of music, taking advantage of the outstanding quality of our teachers, instruments and facilities and many opportunities to perform.

In addition to a career in music, the academic skills you will develop will open opportunities in education, history and heritage, or applied in another sector such as media or business and internationally.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Experience, Knowledge and Reality (PH1023)
  • Introduction to Music Studies (MU1026)
• Optional Courses:
  • Plus 30 credit points from the following courses:
    • Performing and Composing 1 (MU1027)
    • Digital Musicianship: Music Making in the Digital Age (MU1058)
    • Performing and Composing 2 (MU1527)
    • Introduction to Music Theory and Harmony (MU1557)
    • Writing About Music (MU1528)
  • Plus 30 credit points from the following courses:
    • Controversial Questions (PH1027)
    • How Should One Live? (PH1522)
    • Logic and Argument (PH1518)
    • Environmental Ethics (PH1537)
  • Plus further courses of choice to make up 120 credit points.

Year 2

• Optional Courses:
  • 45 credits of Level 2 Music courses, including at least 15 credits from the following courses:
    • Analysing Music (MU2055)
    • Introduction to Ethnomusicology (MU2057)
    • Global Music History (MU2558)
  • The following course is an approved option that may be taken as credit towards the Music component:
    • Scottish Folklore and Oral Traditions (EF2501)
  • Plus 45 credit points from level 2 courses in Philosophy.
  • Plus further courses of choice to make up 120 credit points.

Year 3

• Optional Courses:
  • 60 credits from Level 3 Music courses, which may include the following approved options:
    • Film and Music (FS3017)
    • Spanish Identity through Music, Film and Visual Culture (FS3018)
    • Music, Health and Wellbeing (Public Engagement) (ME33PE)
    • Eurovision: Media, Memory, Euphoria & Identities (FS3535)
  • Plus 60 credit points from level 3 courses in Philosophy.

Year 4

• Optional Courses:
  • Select ONE of the following:
    • PH402D Dissertation in Philosophy
    • MU4049 Dissertation in Music (30 cr)
  • Plus further credits in Music and Philosophy to total 60 credits in each discipline.
  • A minimum of 90 credits must be taken at Level 4.
  • The following courses are approved options that may be taken as credit towards the Music component:
    • FS4017 Film and Music
    • FS4018 Spanish Identity through Music, Film and Visual Culture
    • EL45HC Literature and Music

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

• coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
• practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; and
• written examinations at the end of each course.

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Music and Philosophy?

• The prestigious Ogston Music Prize, and a range of scholarships and special support for students with outstanding talent.
• Three state-of-the-art Electroacoustic Composition studios as well as Music Technology workstations.
• Aberdeen City is known as a lively centre for music, with links to the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Aberdeen City Music School, North East of Scotland Music School, and the region's growing Sound Festival.
• Studying Philosophy will change how you think about things and how you approach life's challenges
• The Centre for the History and Philosophy of Science, Technology and Medicine acts as the focus for research, teaching and engagement in the history, philosophy, ethics, literature and museology of science, technology and medicine.
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library offers superb collections, including early printed works of natural philosophy and medicine, the archives of Thomas Reid, and records of the Aberdeen Philosophical Society.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers:
  • Standard: AABB
  • Minimum: BBB
  • Adjusted: BB
• A LEVELS:
  • Standard: BBB
  • Minimum: BBC
  • Adjusted: CCC
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and Funding

• EU / International students: £20,800
• Home Students: £1,820
• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535

Careers

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

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Degree Overview:

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Music and Philosophy, MA

This unique program combines the study of music with the exploration of philosophy, offering a stimulating and enriching educational experience. The program aims to:

• Expand your knowledge of music through diverse areas such as performance, composition, history, and theory.

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Outline:

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Year 1:

• Experience, Knowledge, and Reality
(Philosophy)
• Introduction to Music Studies
• Optional Courses:
• Pick two from Performing and Composing 1, Digital Musicianship, Introduction to Music Theory and Harmony, Writing About Music.
• Choose additional options to reach a total of 120 credits.

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Year 2:

• Compulsory Courses:
• AT LEAST ONE
• Choose 45 credits of Level 2 Philosophy courses.
• Optional Courses:
• Choose additional courses to reach a total of 120 credits.

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Year 3:

• Compulsory Courses:
• Choose 60 credits from Level 3 Music courses, which may include Music, Health and Wellbeing (Public Engagement).
• Choose 60 credits from Level 3 Philosophy courses.

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Year 4:

• Compulsory Courses:
• OR
• Choose further credits in Philosophy and Music to total 60 credits in each discipline.

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Other approved options that may be taken as credit towards the Music component:

• Spanish Identity Through Music, Film and Visual Culture
• Literature and Music

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Assessment:

Students are assessed through a combination of:

• Coursework:
Essays, reports, and other assignments completed throughout the course.
• Practical assessments:
Demonstrating skills and competencies learned in the course.
• Written examinations:
Held at the end of each course. The specific mix of these methods varies between different years and courses. The final year project is typically assessed based on a written dissertation.

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Teaching:

The program utilizes various teaching methods, including:

• Individual projects:
Allowing students to explore their interests and develop their own projects. The program boasts a renowned faculty with expertise in diverse areas of music and philosophy. They are dedicated to providing students with a comprehensive and stimulating learning experience.

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Careers:

Graduates of this program will be well-positioned for a wide range of careers, including:

• Musician:
Performer, composer, educator, music therapist, music journalist, music critic.
• Philosopher:
Academic philosopher, public policy analyst, bioethicist, legal philosopher, ethics consultant.
• Other careers:
Education, history and heritage, media, business, and international organizations.

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Other:

• The program offers a prestigious Ogston Music Prize and various scholarships to recognize and support talented students.
• Students benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities, including Electroacoustic Composition studios and Music Technology workstations.
• The program is set in Aberdeen, a vibrant city known for its thriving music scene and rich cultural heritage.
• The program emphasizes a holistic approach to learning, encouraging students to develop not only their academic skills but also their critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
This program offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of music and philosophy, providing students with a transformative educational experience and preparing them for success in a variety of fields.

University of Aberdeen

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Overview:

The University of Aberdeen is a renowned institution of higher learning located in Aberdeen, Scotland. It boasts a rich history, having been established in 1495, making it one of the oldest universities in the UK. The university is known for its commitment to research and teaching, offering a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines.

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Services Offered:

The university provides a comprehensive range of services to support students in their academic journey. These include:

Academic Support:

Access to libraries, study resources, and academic advisors.

Student Life:

Opportunities for extracurricular activities, clubs, societies, and sports.

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus housing options for students.

Career Services:

Guidance and support for career planning and job hunting.

Financial Aid:

Scholarships, bursaries, and other financial assistance programs.

International Student Support:

Dedicated services for international students, including visa assistance and cultural integration programs.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Students at the University of Aberdeen can expect a vibrant and engaging campus experience. The university offers a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities, including:

Sports:

Participation in various sports teams and leagues.

Societies and Clubs:

Joining student-led clubs and societies based on interests.

Events and Activities:

Attending social events, concerts, and cultural performances.

Student Union:

Engaging with the student union for representation and advocacy.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Academic Excellence:

The university is recognized for its high-quality teaching and research.

Global Reputation:

It holds a strong international reputation, attracting students from around the world.

Beautiful Campus:

The university is situated on a picturesque campus with historic buildings and modern facilities.

Vibrant City:

Aberdeen offers a lively city environment with a rich cultural scene.

Strong Research Focus:

The university is a leading research institution, with a focus on innovation and impact.

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Academic Programs:

The University of Aberdeen offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Undergraduate Degrees:

Bachelor's degrees in various disciplines, including Arts, Science, Engineering, Medicine, and Law.

Postgraduate Taught Degrees:

Master's degrees and postgraduate diplomas in specialized fields.

Postgraduate Research Degrees:

PhD programs and research opportunities in various research areas.

Online Learning:

Flexible online programs for students who prefer distance learning.

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Other:

The university is committed to sustainability and has been recognized for its efforts in this area. It is also a member of the Russell Group, a group of leading research-intensive universities in the UK.

Student Life and Campus Experience:

While the context mentions some aspects of student life, it does not provide a detailed description of the campus experience.

Key Reasons to Study There:

The context mentions some advantages, but it does not explicitly highlight the main reasons to study at the University of Aberdeen.