University of St Andrews - Online
PGCert in Sacred Music - OnlineOnline United Kingdom
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
31 Aug 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 4,010 **
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.
** GBP 50 - application fee
Introduction
Enhance your understanding and practice of sacred music through a part-time online programme that combines theological study with musical development. You will be taught by professional practitioners in the field of church music.
The PGCert in Sacred Music offers students an opportunity to enhance their skills, knowledge and understanding of sacred music through distance learning postgraduate study.
The course is taught by academics at Scotland’s oldest university who are also professional practitioners in the field of church music. Students are encouraged during the programme to apply insights gained in teaching to their local contexts and professional practice.
The PGCert is aimed particularly at those in church music roles, paid or voluntary, those in active ministry or ministerial training, and those who simply wish to deepen their understanding of sacred music.
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Ideal Students
The course is taught by academic staff who are church music practitioners. It is aimed at those already active in church music roles, those in active ministry or ministerial training, or those who simply wish to deepen their understanding of sacred music.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
15% Recent Graduate Discount
If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.
Curriculum
The programme consists of two taught modules studied online. The modules below are currently proposed for the Sacred Music PGCert online programme.
Music-Making in a Church Context
Encourages students to reflect on, and to develop, their practice as church musicians, music leaders, clergy, or oral presenters. Explorations through case studies of roles such as choir director, organist, composer and worship ensemble leader allow students to engage critically with different types of church music roles, and explore the technical, organisational and interpersonal skills required for successful church music-making.
Insights from lecture case studies and scholarly perspectives from reading are combined with ongoing reflection on students’ own practice in their home contexts.
Sacred Music Repertoires from Past and Present
Invites students to explore how an informed understanding of different sacred music repertoires can shape musical practice, active ministry, and scholarly research today. Students will explore a range of repertoires stemming from different contexts and confessional traditions. By engaging critically with these, students are encouraged to reflect on how different sacred music repertoires, many of which are rooted in the past, might shape present-day practice.
Students have the opportunity to reflect on how a critical understanding of different repertoires can underpin their own approaches to issues such as style, authenticity, originality, function, tradition and innovation, which arguably all sacred music practitioners, broadly defined, must grapple with in their work.
Program Outcome
- Develop your awareness of how sacred music making has both shaped, and been shaped by, the practice of Christian worship at different times.
- Deepen your understanding of the role of the present-day church musician in its different facets and contexts.
- Deepen your understanding of the relationship between sacred music making and the wider social, cultural and political life of the eras and contexts that have shaped particular repertoires.
- Reflect on how insights and knowledge gained on the course can directly inform your work as a performer, music director, minister or researcher.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The PGCert in Sacred Music will benefit those wishing to pursue a career as a church musician, or those who are already active as church musicians or clergy, who wish to deepen their understanding of sacred music.
Graduates of the PGCert in Sacred Music can bring knowledge and skills gained on the course to enhance their future activities, whether in church music leadership and performing roles, active ministry, or other ministerial and congregational roles.
Program delivery
Teaching format
Students will learn through a mixture of video presentations, one-to-one discussions, reflective practice, and guided independent study.