MMus in Music (Performance)
Southampton, United Kingdom
Master degree
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 28,700 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU and international students | £10,400 - UK students
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.
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.
Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship
There are 40 scholarships available to international students applying to study an undergraduate or postgraduate master's degree in an arts or humanities subject. Successful applicants will get £10,000 towards their tuition fees.
Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply, on our website.
Southampton UK Alumni Music Scholarship
Two scholarships of £2000 are available to home fee-paying graduates of the University of Southampton.
Find out more about the Southampton UK Alumni Music Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply, on our website.
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.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
You must study the following modules:
- Artists and Repertoires
- Composition Portfolio
- Critical Practice in Musicology
- Final Recital
- Music Education Final Project
- Musicology Dissertation
- Performance Teaching
- Professional Writing and Presentation Skills
- Reflective Teaching and Learning
- The (Postgraduate) Learning Curve
You must also choose from the following modules:
- Artists and Repertoires
- Critical Practice in Musicology
- Explorations in Composition
- Film Music Composition
- Global Music Industries
- Individual Music Project 1
- Music in the Community with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
- Orchestration and Arranging
- Performance Teaching
- Professional Writing and Presentation Skills
- Sounding the Museum
- Streaming, Social Media, and Stans: Music Culture in the Platform Era
- Taking the Lead: Ensemble Pedagogy in Practice
- The (Postgraduate) Learning Curve
- The Operas Of Benjamin Britten
- The Producer as Composer: digital sound & songwriting in practice
Dissertation
For your final recital, you’ll plan and deliver a performance of a professional standard, including the choice of repertory.
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
Learning
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
Assessment
Depending on the modules you choose, we'll assess you through a combination of:
- group and individual presentations
- essays and analyses
- recitals