Music MScR
Awards: MScR
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Music
The Reid School of Music offers an exciting research environment that combines the theory, history, composition and practice of music with the scientific study of sound.
We engage with a broad range of genres and traditions, including:
- classical and popular music
- Western and non-Western music
- professional and amateur music making
- music for screen
Our research is highly interdisciplinary, with centres and groups spanning other Colleges and Departments within the University of Edinburgh, from Physics and Neuroscience to Informatics, the Humanities, Divinity and the Social Sciences.
We have a large community of postgraduate students undertaking independent research in music.
Our staff have a wide range of research interests, engaging in research clustered around four main themes:
History, Theory, and Sociology of Music, including 19th- and 20th-century music, popular music, aesthetics and sociology
Music and the Human Sciences, including music psychology and cognition, and music in the community
Musical Practice, including composition (electroacoustic, algorithmic, computer music and music for screen), and historical and contemporary performance research
Music, Sound and Technology, including musical acoustics and organology
Some of our current hubs of research activity include:
- Acoustics and Audio Group
- ECA Digitals
- Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments
- Institute for Music in Human and Social Development
Please consult our staff profiles on the programme website to see interests and availability. You may propose projects in any area for consideration.
If you are interested in undertaking a small independent research project in music the MSc by Research is ideal. This programme is offered in any area served by the expertise of our music staff.
In consultation with your supervisor, you will develop an individual programme of coursework and research training over two semesters. You will submit a dissertation, or portfolio of projects, equivalent to 25,000 words.
You can study on this programme either full-time over one year or part-time for over two years.
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses, in the degree programme table links below.
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode |
---|---|---|---|
MScR | Music | 1 Year | Full-time Programme structure 2023/24 http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/23-24/dpt/prmscmusic1f.htm |
MScR | Music | 2 Years | Part-time Programme structure 2023/24 http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/23-24/dpt/prmscmusic1p.htm |
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MScR | Music | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
MScR | Music | 2 Years | Part-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
You will be assigned at least one research supervisor at the outset of your degree. On occasion, more than one supervisor will be assigned, particularly where your research brings together multiple disciplines. Your first/ lead supervisor would normally be based in the same subject area as your degree programme. If a second supervisor is needed, they may be from another discipline within ECA, or within the University of Edinburgh, according to the expertise required.
Our research culture is supported by seminars and public lecture programmes and discussion groups.
Through the programme you will be equipped with skills in advanced research techniques, critical analysis/writing and presentation.
You are encouraged to attend courses at the Institute for Academic Development (IAD), where all staff and students at the University of Edinburgh are supported through a range of training opportunities.
- [ECA]: Edinburgh College of Art
You will have access to study space (some of which are 24-hour access), studios and workshops at Edinburgh College of Art’s campus, as well as University wide resources. There are several bookable spaces for the development of exhibitions, workshops or seminars. And you will have access to well-equipped multimedia laboratories, photography and exhibition facilities, shared recording space, access to recording equipment available through Bookit the equipment loan booking system.
You will have access to high quality library facilities. Within the University of Edinburgh, there are three libraries:
- the Main Library
- the ECA library
- the Art and Architecture Library
The Centre for Research Collections which holds the University of Edinburgh’s historic collections is also located in the Main Library.
The Talbot Rice Gallery is a public art gallery of the University of Edinburgh and part of Edinburgh College of Art, which is committed to exploring what the University of Edinburgh can contribute to contemporary art practice today and into the future. You will also have access to the extraordinary range and quality of exhibitions and events associated with a leading college of art situated within a world-class research-intensive university.
St Cecilia’s Hall, which is Scotland’s oldest purpose-built concert hall, also houses the Music Museum which holds one of the most important historic musical instrument collections anywhere in the world.
In addition to the University’s facilities you will also be able to access wider resources within the City of Edinburgh. These include:
- National Library of Scotland
- Scottish Studies Library and Digital Archives
- City of Edinburgh Libraries
- Historic Environment Scotland
- the National Trust for Scotland
You will also benefit from the University of Edinburgh’s extensive range of student support facilities provided, including:
- student societies
- accommodation
- wellbeing and support services
Lauriston campus redevelopment
ECA are excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston campus over the next 3 years, from April 2024 to April 2027.
The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.
The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.
You can find more about the project at the below link:
Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston campus | Edinburgh College of Art
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
Normally a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent. If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may still consider your application on the basis of relevant professional experience.
You must also submit a research proposal; see How to Apply section for guidance.
If your research is practice-based a portfolio should also be submittted; see How to Apply section for guidance.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Additional programme costs
No additional costs
Tuition fees
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MScR | Music | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
MScR | Music | 2 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
borrowing money
- taking out a loan
- family support
- personal savings
- income from work
- employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
Featured funding
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK's governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Research Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5740
- Contact: ecaresearchdegrees@ed.ac.uk
- Postgraduate Research Director, Music, Professor Stefan Bilbao
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4155
- Contact: s.bilbao@ed.ac.uk
- Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Office Student and Academic Support Service
- The University of Edinburgh
- Evolution House, 78 West Port
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH1 2LE
- Programme: Music
- School: Edinburgh College of Art
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc by Research Music - 1 Year (Full-time)
MSc by Research Music - 2 Years (Part-time)
Programme start date | Application deadline |
---|---|
8 September 2025 | 1 July 2025 |
If you are applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. All applications must be received by the deadlines listed above.
You must submit two references with your application.
One of your references must be an academic reference preferably from your most recent studies.
You should submit a research proposal that outlines your project's aims, context, process and product/outcome. Read the application guidance before you apply. If you wish to undertake research that involves practice then a portfolio will also be required, full details are listed in the application guidance document.
Preparing your application - postgraduate research degrees (PDF)
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Research Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5740
- Contact: ecaresearchdegrees@ed.ac.uk
- Postgraduate Research Director, Music, Professor Stefan Bilbao
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4155
- Contact: s.bilbao@ed.ac.uk
- Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Office Student and Academic Support Service
- The University of Edinburgh
- Evolution House, 78 West Port
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH1 2LE
- Programme: Music
- School: Edinburgh College of Art
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences