Master of Music (Musicology/Ethnomusicology)

The Master of Music is a research degree that prepares students for specialist careers in musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, performance or music therapy. Applicants should contact the relevant academic staff member to discuss prerequisites.

All candidates are required to complete satisfactorily a study in one area of specialisation. Total weighting for the course is 150 points; the degree takes 18 months full-time (three years part-time) to complete.

Generic Skills Statement

On completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Apply the best practices of local, national and international standards in their professional performance in their chosen specialisation;
• Pursue an informed program of independent further study in their chosen area of specialisation in music;
• Provide leadership in the profession in their chosen area of specialisation in music;
• Use current technologies and assimilate the potential of emerging technologies to facilitate and heighten the dissemination of skills, knowledge and information;
• Value and participate in projects requiring team-work.

On completion of the Musicology stream, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the area of their research in music;
• Present their research in publishable form or work towards incorporating their findings in further research;
• Proceed to the PhD if their MMus thesis has demonstrated appropriate research potential;
• Apply the experience gained in their training to the practical needs of society as appropriate.

To be accepted into the Master of Music, students should normally have a BMus(Hons) or equivalent with a final result of first class honours or high second-class honours.

Students in the Musicology specialisation must have successfully completed Musicological Research Methods 1, or equivalent. Students in the Ethnomusicology specialisation must also have successfully completed Musicological Research Methods and Research in Ethnomusicology, or equivalent. This requirement is usually completed before the commencement of the candidature.

Application Procedure

Students are encouraged to provide as much detailed information in support of their application as possible and to discuss their application with a member of the Academic Staff prior to submission.

Certified transcripts of academic records at any tertiary institution other than The University of Melbourne must be forwarded with the application. If the transcription is not in English a certified translation must be provided.

Evidence of Scholarly Ability

Applicants in Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Music Therapy, or Composition are required to submit a copy of their Honours dissertation or a substantial piece of scholarly writing with their application. A research proposal, including topic and proposed methodology, must also be provided.

The University expects its research masters graduates to have the following qualities and skills:

• An ability to initiate research projects and to formulate viable research questions;
• A demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report independent and original research on a closely-defined project;
• An ability to manage time to maximise the quality of research;
• An understanding of the major contours of international research in the research area;
• A capacity for critical evaluation of relevant scholarly literature;
• Well-developed and flexible problem-solving abilities appropriate to the discipline
• The ability to analyse research data within a changing disciplinary environment;
• The capacity to communicate effectively the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication;
• An understanding of and facility with scholarly conventions in the discipline area; * A profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship;
• A capacity to co-operate with other researchers;
• An ability to manage information effectively, including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to the student's field of study.

All Musicology, Ethnomusicology, and Performance Master of Music candidates who enrolled for the first time after 1996 are required to complete a hurdle Language Reading Examination requirement during their candidature. Students can select one of the following languages: German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Russian.

These examinations expect a reading knowledge only of the language concerned, and can be undertaken at any stage of the candidature by arrangement with the Graduate Programs Manager. Candidates must make their own arrangements to prepare for the requirement and cover any costs involved accordingly. Sample examination papers are available from the Graduate Programs Manager.

Please note that for this examination:

• A dictionary may be used in the examination room, however electronic dictionaries and translation aides are not permitted;
• 15 minutes of reading time are allowed before commencement of the examination;
• One and a half hours are allowed to write the translation.

A candidate will not normally be permitted to proceed with a thesis or final recital examination until this requirement is met.