What is Musicology?

Musicology is a unique degree, and the only degree of its kind to be taught at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC). If you are interested in the study of music, and the elements of music outside of performance and creation, then it might be for you.

What is Musicology?

Musicology is the study of music and looks at the relationship music shares with the world. This could be in relation to geography, culture, politics, gender, psychology and more. As a musicologist, you will spend a lot of your time researching and analysing and will typically focus on a specific area. For example, an ethnomusicologist would study music from different cultures.

Musicology helps us to have a deeper understanding of the context and significance of music, its impact on the world and helps to preserve and interpret history. This is particularly important when discussing music from indigenous or marginalised communities, as it gives them a platform to be understood and seen. Research topics that have been undertaken range from the exploration of music performance anxiety in woodwind players, to Italian film music in the 1930s!

As a musicologist, you will crossover with other disciplines such as psychology and sociology, giving valuable insight to those areas with your musical expertise and possibly contributing to important research.

Do I need to be a musician to study Musicology?

No, you don’t need to be a performer or make your own music to study musicology. It is recommended that you have knowledge of music theory to help with your studies and research, but the main skills are writing and researching. It’s important to have a keen interest in your research topic, and there are many topics you could choose that don’t have a primary focus on music theory. 

What will I do on the course?

Musicology is a heavily research focused course, meaning you will have a lot of independence and freedom to focus on your project and decide which topic(s) you want to delve into. There are also core modules that will support you with your studies, including Concepts in Musicology, which will help you to develop advanced research skills and a knowledge of the field. 

You will also get access to the RBC facilities, expertise and opportunities, meaning you can connect with peers that could help you with your research and get first hand knowledge. We’re also ranked as the leading institution in the UK for research power and 100% of our research is internationally recognised for making an impact (REF 2021). 

What can I do with a Musicology degree?

Most musicologists go on to work in universities or conservatoires, but some go on to become music librarians or archivists, as well as music journalists or critics. The degree is intended to set you up for a career in research, but can also be studied as a standalone MA course.