UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Master in Music Performance
Tromsø, Norway
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Apr 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
NOK 150,500 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* For EU/EEA and Swiss applicants | Nordic applicants: 15 April | Non-EU/EEA applicants: 15 November for admission autumn 2027.
** for international students
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
The study programme Master in Music Performance offers students a broad choice of instruments and genres within classical, popular, and electronic music. This breadth in the programme means it is possible for students to engage in dialogue and professional growth across genres and musical expression.
Students on the programme develop their instrumental and musical competencies, and their artistic profile, and strengthen their abilities in artistic reflection and independence. You will have the chance to deepen your knowledge in one or several topics of your choice related to your own musical and artistic profile. The experience you will gain from performing music at a high level, combined with reflection on your artistic work, will give you an increased awareness of the processes and working methods that make up artistic research.
Program description
- Duration: 2 years
- Credits (ECTS): 120
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in music performance or other equivalent qualification with at least 80 credits of performance specialisation on the applicant's main instrument, and a letter of motivation. In addition, there will be an audition procedure consisting of a performance audition and an interview.
- Degree Name: Master in Music Performance
- Application Code:
- Nordic applicants: 8054
- EU/EEA + Swiss applicants: 7182
- Non-EU/EEA applicants: 2057
The programme's aim is to develop students' performance abilities and artistic profiles and to strengthen their competencies in artistic reflection and independence. Through their own master's project, students will develop their knowledge in one or more areas of their choice through their own roles as performers.
Through the experience of high-level music performance and reflection on their role as a performer, students will develop a deeper awareness of the processes and methods that are typical of artistic research.
Instruction in artistic research theories and methodologies will strengthen students' aesthetic reflections.
The faculty and staff at the Academy of Music are engaged and internationally active musicians, researchers, and pedagogues. Students are at the centre of our work, and you will have access to the faculty’s wide range of specialisations in genre and performance practices. In the second year of the programme, there are funds available for travel and lessons with external colleagues who are relevant to your project.
The programme is full-time and takes place in Tromsø.
Program Structure
| Semester | 20 credits | 10 credits | 30 credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | MUS-3xxx Artistic specialisation - Principal instrument (20 ECTS) | MUS-3xxx Artistic research and methods of enquiry (10 ECTS) | Elective courses (30 ECTS) |
| Semester 2 | MUS-3xxx Artistic specialisation - Principal instrument (20 ECTS) | MUS-3xxx Artistic research and methods of enquiry (10 ECTS) | Elective courses (30 ECTS) |
| Semester 3 | MUS-39xx Master’s project in music performance (60 ECTS) | MUS-39xx Master’s project in music performance (60 ECTS) | MUS-39xx Master’s project in music performance (60 ECTS) |
| Semester 4 | MUS-39xx Master’s project in music performance (60 ECTS) | MUS-39xx Master’s project in music performance (60 ECTS) | MUS-39xx Master’s project in music performance (60 ECTS) |
Teaching and assessment
The programme consists of individual teaching and supervision, group work, seminars, projects, and masterclasses. Parts of the theory teaching will take place as lectures. The majority of the student's study time will be spent on practising and the development of their masters project.
Most modules are assessed as pass/fail and some as A-F.
Possible examination and assessment formats include practical exams, oral exams, home exams and portfolio assessment.
Access to further studies
The programme meets the prerequisites for PhD programmes in artistic research.
Exchange
Students can apply to undertake an exchange in the 3rd semester.
UiT The Arctic University of Norway has exchange agreements with institutions in the Nordic countries and in Europe through the Nordplus and Erasmus programmes.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the programme the student will have the following competencies:
Knowledge:
- ability to analyse and discuss their artistic intentions in relation to music's historical, traditional, stylistic, aesthetic, cultural, and societal concerns
- ability to evaluate, realise, and convey their artistic intentions with a clear profile
- ability to display independence in relation to high-level artistic challenges by initiating, carrying out, and leading different projects
- ability to apply their acquired knowledge to broaden their musical perspective and carry out independent artistic research
Skills:
- ability to create, realise, and convey their personal intentions at a high artistic level
- make use of artistic research theories
- ability to reflect over and defend their choices of methods and processes in their own artistic research
- ability to plan and carry out artistic research
General competencies:
- ability to analyse and critically employ artistic research materials in their own work
- ability to contribute to the development and innovation of musical life and the music industry
- ability to communicate orally and in writing with the music community and in the public sphere
- ability to identify relevant ethical problems and display a high degree of professional integrity
Job Prospectives
Through the master's in music performance, students will acquire competencies and qualifications for work as professional performers both within artistic and cultural institutions and as freelancers.
The programme can also form part of a study programme together with the graduate programme in teacher training (PPU) which will provide teaching competencies and qualifications for employment as a music teacher in schools, community music schools, upper secondary schools, and further and higher education institutions.