Music (Performance) (MMus)

Program Overview

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Music (Performance) (MMus)

About this course

Expand your knowledge of music performance with our master's degree at the University of Southampton. Whether you are a classical pianist, a jazz-and-pop musician, an opera singer, or a musical theatre performer, our programme gives you the opportunity to specialise in various elements of musical performance. You'll graduate with the knowledge and skills for a career in music or further study.

Our MMus Music Performance master's degree gives you the opportunity to specialise in various elements of the field. On this course, you'll study:

• the technique, history and repertoire of your instrument or voice
• principles and presentation skills of performance
• key skills in music performance and research
• key skills in performance teaching

Our academic staff and music teachers are internationally noted performers with active solo and ensemble careers, as well as established composers and musicologists. These world-leading experts can offer you intensive one-to-one tuition in performance and additional training to make you a stronger, better informed professional who will be heard in today's music world.

We offer a broad-based MMus programme with 4 specialist pathways:

• Performance
• Musicology
• Music Education
• Composition

On the Performance pathway, you’ll work towards the final goal of a professional recital. We’ll work with you to create a portfolio that’s relevant to your career aspirations. Once you graduate, you’ll be ready to:

• continue your research at a doctoral level
• work in the music industry or wider cultural sector
• become a teacher
• work as a freelance musician

You can mix your Performance modules with topics from other MMus pathways to develop a wider range of skills and personalise the course to your interests.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your course leader is Dr Chiying Lam. She completed her doctoral study at the Royal College of Music, London, and her research focuses on musicians' pedagogical practice and post-colonial discourses of power & identity within the music practitioners' community.Visit Dr Chiying Lam's staff profile to learn more about her work.

Learn more about this subject area

Music

Our music courses give you the writing, research and performance skills to become the musician you want to be. Explore genres from jazz and pop, to classical, folk and rock. Find out about gigs, networking and performance opportunities.

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in music or a related subject.

For the performance pathway, you'll need to submit video samples of your performance. These should be 2 to 3 pieces running for a total of 15 to 20 minutes, and show your technical proficiency and interpretative ability. These should also display a coherent artistic approach.

You must be able to learn pieces quickly using appropriate skills for your chosen genre:

• classical applicants are expected to be fluent in reading at sight
• jazz, pop and musical theatre students are expected to be comfortable learning by ear as well as reading at sight

Your recording must be of an unedited ‘live’ performance with no added post-production. Any application of techniques such as vocal ‘comping’ or pitch-correction will be rejected. You can use different footage for separate audition pieces, although a continuous performance is preferable.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Course structure

This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.

In the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2) you’ll study the taught part of your course.

This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we'll ask you to choose from a list of options. Some of these modules are shared with our other MMus pathways.

You'll also prepare a recital for a lunchtime or evening performance, and begin working towards your final recital during this time.

For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently on your final project.

Learning and assessment

We’re committed to giving you a relevant, modern and above all enjoyable experience that will ensure you graduate with the skills and understanding you need for your chosen career or further research.

The learning activities for the Performance pathway include:

• tutor and student-led seminars
• presentations
• individual instrumental or vocal lessons
• study visits
• independent study and practice

Depending on the modules you choose, we'll assess you through a combination of:

• group and individual presentations
• essays and analyses
• recitals

Dissertation

For your final recital, you’ll plan and deliver a performance of a professional standard, including the choice of repertory.

Academic Support

You'll have access to:

• historic, modern and electric pianos
• less-common orchestral and historic instruments
• drum kit and basic PA system/amps
• a loud rehearsal room and department practice rooms
• recording studios
• use of Turner Sims concert hall facilities for recitals

Careers and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £27,800.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

40 scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Southampton UK Alumni Music Scholarship

Four scholarships of £2000 are available to home fee paying graduates of University of Southampton.

Find out more about the Southampton UK Alumni Music Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You may also be asked to provide:

• a sample of music composition/performance

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Related courses

Music (Performance) (MMus) is a course in the Music subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

• MA International Music Management
• MMus Music (Composition)
• MMus Music (Education)
• MMus Music (Musicology)