Program Overview

Overview

A Master of Arts (MA) by Research allows you to undertake a one-year (full-time) or two-year (part-time) research degree. It contains little or no formal taught component. This type of study gives you the chance to explore a research topic over a shorter time than a more in-depth doctoral programme.

Key Information

Entry requirements

The normal entry requirements for enrolment on a MA by Research is an Honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university or a qualification of an equivalent standard, in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed programme to be followed.

• If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification.
• The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent.

Start dates

• 1 October 2025
• 12 January 2026
• 20 April 2026

Application deadlines

• For September 2025:
  • 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 04 July 2025 for Home Students
• For October 2025:
  • 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 04 July 2025 for Home Students
• For January 2026:
  • 17 October 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 14 November 2025 for Home Students
• For April 2026:
  • 23 January 2026 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 20 February 2026 for Home Students

Duration

The maximum duration for an MA by Research is 1 year (12 months) full-time or 2 years (24 months) part-time with an optional submission pending (writing-up) period of 4 months.

What can I research?

The University of Huddersfield has one of the largest Music and Music Technology postgraduate communities in the UK. Recognised research strengths in music include:

• Composition (including instrumental composition, film music composition and electroacoustic composition)
• Sonic arts
• Music technology
• Music Production
• Audio Engineering
• Historically informed performance practices
• Cultural, historical and critical musicologies
• Popular music
• Archival research
• Music archaeology
• Digital, systematic and empirical musicologies

Teaching and Assessment

• As a minimum you can expect to meet with your supervisors at least once a month (once every two months for part-time students).
• Self-directed study is to be agreed in liaison with you and your supervisor.
• Self-directed study and supervision time should equate to 35 hours per week (for full-time research degrees).

Fees and Finance

Tuition fees - full-time

In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £5,050.

Tuition fees - part-time

In 2025/26 the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £2,525.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

• When you are offered a place on a research degree, your offer will include confirmation of your supervisory team, and the topic you will be researching and will be governed by our terms & Conditions, student handbook and relevant policies.
• Whilst the University will use reasonable efforts to ensure your supervisory team remains the same, sometimes it may be necessary to make changes to your team for reasons outside the University’s control.
• Changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, for example pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government.