Psychology of Music

Explore fundamental questions about music and its central place in our lives on the longest established music psychology programme in the UK. Our interdisciplinary approach offers a unique perspective on music and rigorous training in research techniques.

Course description

Cover the key areas and debates in music psychology, become proficient in psychological research techniques and explore the implications of psychology of music in everyday life.

You'll receive a rich grounding in areas relevant to the understanding of music cognition, the neuroscience of music; music education; music therapy and wellbeing; music in everyday and exceptional situations; and psychological approaches to performance.

You'll specialise within an area of your choice and pursue original research leading to a dissertation. The course is taught by widely-published and leading experts in the field who will guide and support you in your work.

This MA offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop your insight into music and musical experience, which will help to shape your career, whether you go on to be a researcher, teacher or practitioner.

Our department is vibrant community of academics and students and, between us, we cover an extraordinary range of specialisms and interests. We currently have large projects on music, dementia and technology; innovation in audience experiences of classical music; and supporting socio-musical dynamics in group singing.

We have internationally recognised research centres such as SPARC (Sheffield Performer and Audience Research Centre) and Music, Mind and Machine which enable collaborative and interdisciplinary work and links with international collaborators and organisations.

These form a vibrant context for peer and mentor-led learning and act as focal points for students doing research in the department and for staff of different career stages working on projects.

Our staff are also involved in consultancy work, contributing to the arts and cultural sectors and ensuring our teaching and research is relevant to their needs.

Accreditation

We are an All-Steinway School.