Popular Music MA
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Course Summary
Our MA in Popular Music is designed for those concerned with the exploration of all aspects of performance. This degree will develop your creative skills and theoretical understanding to an advanced level.
Our course offers you the opportunity to shape your learning through a series of modules that will enable you to integrate scholarly work with your own practice as a musician, composer or musicologist. Our modules consider current theoretical and practical debates in the subject area, and will guide you through the kind of research methodologies required at Master's level. You will be given the opportunity to negotiate the most effective means of approaching your subject, with a view to producing an intensive study of your specialism.
What you’llStudy
Our modules cover areas of research strategy, analysis, documentation and management, and will require you to engage with and develop your skills to an advanced level. The final phase of the MA will result in the production of a substantial piece of work – for example a large-scale performance, workshop, lecture or event.
Module content:
This module looks at a range of research methodologies appropriate to the development of analytical and critical research skills.
The module will cover topics including, fieldwork methods, ethnography, practice based research, retrieval skills, referencing and academic writing.
Module aims:
The aims of the module are as follows:
- To enable students to understand the purposes of appropriate research methodologies
- To enable students to use appropriate research methodologies
- To ensure students are equipped to reference contemporary academic theory and practice appropriately
Module content:
This module provides an opportunity for the student to give their artistic expression increased breadth and depth. This will take the form of a substantial project. The student will undertake extensive research to underpin this project. Students can work individually or may work with their peers, with undergraduate students of the department or with external contacts and agencies.
Module aims:
The aims of the module are as follows:
- To facilitate the development of a large scale research-led project
- To enable the student to interrogate their own creative practice
- To encourage the documentation of methods and processes in order to engender a thorough understanding of themselves as a practitioner within their chosen discipline
Module content:
This module facilitates the opportunity for students to produce an academically informed piece of research, subject to tutor-approval. Students are required to identify and justify a viable area for research, frame an appropriate question, exhibit extensive knowledge of previous research in the field, and make informed decisions about the appropriate methodology for the research, which should ideally involve some primary research.
Topics can be wide-ranging; students may wish to examine the working practices of professional individuals or companies, a genre or trend in current practice or the manifestation of a body of theoretical concern. The subject matter of the inquiry may be the candidates’ own practice but would need to include reference to other contemporary practice to contextualise their work with that which is at the forefront of the discipline.
Module aims:
The aims of the module are as follows:
- To enable students to demonstrate advanced knowledge and sophisticated understanding of a particular aspect of their discipline.
- To facilitate opportunities for the student to apply various research methods and approaches to test a hypothesis and or offer original interpretation.
- To allow the student to demonstrate complex and systematic critical analysis skills and an ability to apply and critique theoretical ideas and concepts.
Module content:
The two main elements of this module will be as follows:
Students will be provided with instrumental/vocal tutorials in their agreed specialism.
Alongside this there will be a series of masterclasses which are designed to help the students with the interface between instrumental skill and performance.
Module aims:
The aims of the module are as follows:
- To enable the students to understand the importance of not only technical skill, but also stylistic delivery and interpretative issues within the context of performativity.
- To enhance the students' breadth of awareness of the range of repertoire available for their particular instrument and the contexts in which this may be applied.
- To encourage efficient practising techniques through both tutorial and larger sessions.
Module content:
The main elements of this module will be as follows:
Students will be provided with instrumental/vocal tutorials in their agreed specialism.
Alongside this students will be required to perform in the public arena and make their own provision for this. Following this there will be tutorials with academic staff to engage in critically reflective discussions around a range of different aspects of performance.
Module aims:
The aims of the module are as follows:
- To further the students' advanced understanding of the complex interplay between performer and listener.
- To develop the students' understanding of the synthesis between practise and performance.
- To emphasize the importance of suitable conduct in the context of a variety of performance scenarios.
- To promote meaningful discourse regarding the application of advanced instrumental/vocal techniques across a wide range of repertoire.
Module content:
This module will examine methodological approaches to the analysis of Popular Music.
It will include, socio-cultural approaches, performance studies and musicological (‘content’) analysis.
Module aims:
The aims of the module are as follows:
- To provide an analytical toolbox in order for performers, composers and musicologists to develop a critical awareness of their own (and others’) disciplines.
- To facilitate the application of analytical methodologies on the work of others in order to inform and challenge the students' own practices.
Module content:
Students will be guided towards a variety of existing models of composition which they can explore through their practice of composition/song writing.
Module aims:
The aims of the module are as follows:
- To enable the students to critically investigate extant compositional models in terms of melody, harmony, manipulation of ideas, structure, textures and timbre.
- To enable the students to evaluate these within their contexts and develop these within their own musical language, presented in an appropriate and professional format.
Module content:
Students will be guided towards compositions which break with the norm and encouraged to see how they can achieve this within their compositions, exploring creative freedom and innovation.
Module aims:
The aims of the module are as follows:
- To explore what is subversive in composition by analysing music which can be seen as innovative.
- To critically examine these and consider new methods of experimentation pushing the boundaries of their current practice in order to allow their individuality to emerge in their compositional language.
Module content:
This module will involve the students in supervised research into individually chosen topics of interest in popular music. The students will work to develop an original, critically informed analysis of an aspect of contemporary popular music.
Module aims:
The aims of the module are as follows:
- To enable students to develop and refine their research skills
- To enable students critically to analyse modes of discourse in the study of popular music
- To enable students to plan and organise individual research projects
- To enable students to develop their time management and information retrieval skills.
Module content:
This module will examine the various critical frameworks employed in the academic study of popular music. It will cover approaches such as musicology, ethnography, cultural studies and performance studies.
Module aims:
The aims of the module are as follows:
- To equip students with an understanding of academic discourses in popular music.
- To enable students to contextualise the work of artists and groups against an appropriate critical framework
- To equip students with subject specific critical and analytical skills
- To introduce students to modes of critical and analytical writing and presentation.
Module content:
This module provides students with the exciting opportunity to create their own personal sound through composition, arrangement and production work. Students will have the opportunity to work in a state of the art studio, using a variety of analogue and digital equipment.
In support of this, there will be a series of masterclasses covering a range of production approaches, mixing techniques and theories of production. Students will also research recent developments and scholarly work within the field of music production in order to prepare for a supporting oral examination.
Module aims:
The aims of the module are as follows:
- To provide students with the opportunity to create a music product or products of typical release quality
- To enable students to develop professional work that can include original composition, arrangement, or stylistic pastiche
- To allow students to develop a range of advanced production skills
- To encourage efficient working practices and technical mastery of recording and production equipment
Module content:
By exploring innovative composition, arrangement and production techniques of modern artists, students will be expected to push the boundaries of genre conventions, and evidence experimentation in their own production approach. Portfolios of work will therefore demonstrate a high degree of specialist skill, creative control and artistic flair.
Students will also develop the ability to talk articulately about their work, with an advanced level of critical reflection upon personal and professional practice.
Module aims:
The aims of the module are as follows:
- To develop an experimental approach that results in innovative composition, arrangement and production techniques
- To produce work that challenges genre conventions
- To enable students to develop an advanced level of critical self-evaluation by reflecting on professional and personal standards
MA Popular Music
Kristian Rozells
Programme Leader in MA Popular Music
Dr Evelyn Jamieson
Associate Professor, Programme Leader for MA Dance and MA Drama
Jim Mason
Programme Leader for BA Music Production and Co-Programme Leader for BA Music Production & Performance
Contact time is 3-4 hours (full-time) or 1.5-2 hours (part-time) per week. Workload is 40 hours (full-time) or 20 hours (part-time) per week. Assessment can take the form of performances, essays, practical presentations, lecture demonstrations, oral assessments, and the submission of portfolios of original music.
Entry Requirements
2:2 honours degree
Applicants will normally hold a 2:2 in Music or similar field. Where applicants are not progressing directly from a degree, professional experience and expertise may be taken into account. Applicants will be expected to attend an audition and/or interview in order to demonstrate their suitability for the course.
2:2 honours degree
Applicants will normally hold a 2:2 in Music or similar field. Where applicants are not progressing directly from a degree, professional experience and expertise may be taken into account. Applicants will be expected to attend an audition and/or interview in order to demonstrate their suitability for the course.
English Language Requirements
For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.
Join our Creative Community
Connect with Experts
Specialist Studio and Workshop Spaces
Music Rehearsal and Recording Facilities
Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC)
Equipment Loan Provision
Fees and Funding
£8,775for a full-time course (2025/26)
Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page. Here you will also find information about part-time fees and project/placement year fees.
Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page. Here you will also find information about part-time fees and project/placement year fees.
Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.
The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.
Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.
Your future Career
Job prospects
In addition to professional work as performing musicians, graduates have gained employment as education professionals, lecturing in Further and Higher education as well as becoming peripatetic teachers for county music services and private schools.
The course requires students to work autonomously on large scale-projects that enable them to situate their unique role within the industry. The department’s PULSE week of visiting industry professionals provides an excellent networking opportunity for students developing their emerging career.
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs .