MA MUSIC EDUCATION

Course details

This practice-based programme equips graduates to work in a variety of professional settings with a broad range of pedagogical strategies, and on completion of the award students will have established a rich understanding of music’s pedagogies and their theoretical foundations. As developing educators and music leaders they will have led music-making with others in a variety of settings, with a range of participants of different abilities and in relation to a range of audiences; they will also have gained a comprehensive insight into the role of the musician in the contemporary education infrastructure. Through their practices in music teaching, they will develop collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial skills in support of a professional career.

Programme Content

This programme comprises compulsory ‘core’ modules designed to develop students’ theoretical knowledge and its application to a variety of teaching practices and contexts, critical engagement with ethical considerations in music education, and an opportunity to experience in depth a new educational context. Students will learn research methodologies and undertake a personal project into an aspect of educational practice; they will also participate in CoLab, the college’s two-week festival of cross- faculty collaborative learning. A suite of elective specialist options permits further opportunities to develop depth in theory and practice alongside further contextual subject areas.

The programme’s range of learning opportunities will permit students a rich appreciation of UK and international practices and philosophies of music teaching, learning and participation, supporting a diverse skill set with knowledge at the forefront of their discipline, music as their primary language of engagement, high- quality reflective practice and a mindset of life-long professional development. The programme contains modules which are shared with the MA Music Education & Performance, the MMus and the MEd Music Education (online) programmes, permitting students to form communities across the institution, with those training as performers and with practicing music educators.

• A wide range of modules exploring music pedagogy from a variety of stances, including instrumental/vocal teaching, creative leadership and classroom electives.
• An intensive research project in music pedagogy which evidences master’s level critical thinking in a subject area of the student’s own choosing.
• A range of electives taught either in-person or online, including Mentor Scheme, Technology in Music Education, Contemporary Theorists in Music Education, the Social Impact of Music Making, and Expanding Horizons: Exploring UK Music Education.

For detailed information about the course structure please see the ‘Programme Specification’.

 

 

 

Learning and Teaching

Learning within a community of practice

The MA MusEd offers the opportunity to become part of, and learn within, a diverse cohort of musicians and educators, and some modules are shared with the MMus and Teaching Musician International programmes, permitting students to form communities across the institution with those training as performers and with experienced music educators seeking to refine and contextualize their practice. You will network and share learning with other practitioners and employers working across a variety of settings. This includes opportunities to engage with Trinity Laban’s Learning and Participation programme which offers a range of innovative projects with children, young people and adults in formal education and the community, subject to availability. Teaching staff for the MA MusEd are highly experienced practitioners, teachers and researchers from across the UK. A number of the team teach at other leading Higher Education Institutions and join Trinity Laban specifically to teach in the Music Education Department.

Performance teaching and opportunities

The college has a rich and diverse performance programme, and students are welcome to audition for the various orchestras, choirs and ensembles, noting that performance standards at Trinity Laban are exceptionally high. However, all students can choose the 1-1 Instrumental/Vocal Learning & Ensemble elective.

Teaching Staff

Music Education Department Teaching staff are all highly experienced practitioners, teachers and researchers from across the globe. A number of the team teach at other leading higher education institutions and join Trinity Laban specifically to teach on this programme. Guest lecturers are also invited who are leading specialists in specific areas. Click below to read biographies of our core teaching team:

• Tim Palmer (Programme Leader)
• Dr Robert Wells
• Janet Munro
• Dr Dave Camlin
• Dr David Baker (Guest Lecturer)
• Dr Jo Gibson (Guest Lecturer)

Recent guest lecturers have included: Mary Stakelum, Graham Welch, Adam Ockelford, Anna Bull, Phil Mullen, Chris Philpott, Gary Spruce, Susan Young, John Finney, Kathryn Deane, Karin Greenhead, Daniel Leech-Wilkinson, Lee Higgins.

 

How you will learn

Learning takes place online through a blend of formal tuition, experiential learning and personal study. Academic teaching and supervisions, personal self-study and research, and observation of and participation in professional practice are the central elements of the provision. Students will develop and contextualize their learning with placements, observations and reflective practice tasks. Practical experiences are blended with theoretical knowledge to develop students’ pedagogical skills and understanding, and their creative responses to challenges. Visiting lecturers expose the students to a variety of views and approaches current within the profession.

The programme aims to enable students to develop independent learning strategies for lifelong learning. Tutors will regularly encourage reflection on learning and support the personalisation of study to each student’s professional setting.

All modules have a substantial portfolio of asynchronous learning materials, including curated and recommended reading. Modules also have a variety of forms of student-teacher and student-student interactions, including class discussions, online forums, interactive discussion boards, and through formative assessment portfolios. All written submissions are able to receive draft feedback from staff.

Placements and Exchanges

The Education Placement and Learning Mentor modules will involve observation in new work contexts and the chance to get to know well one or more contexts of music education in the UK.

Career Opportunities

The programme enables graduates to pursue a professional career in music education and participatory music. It seeks to prepare students to work in a variety of educational settings with a broad range of pedagogical approaches. On completion of the award, you will have developed a secure range or teaching and leadership skills applicable to learners of different abilities, and in relation to a range of contexts. You will also have gained an understanding of the role of the musician in the contemporary cultural education infrastructure.

To find out more about alumni destinations from this programme please see the ‘Graduates’ tab on our Department Homepage.

Visit our Careers area to find out more about Careers in Music.

Assessment

Assessment methods as far as possible mirror professional requirements. There are a wide range of assessment tasks in the programme, from a video of teaching to case studies and essays. There is a blend of written and practical assessment methods (including composition, teaching resources, reflective journals, action research etc.) and a variety of modes of submission, including multi-media submissions (e.g. narrated PowerPoint, Sway file or podcast).  Most assessments are dependent on professional practice as an educator, adaptable to a student’s specific professional role and are centred on connecting reflective practice with theoretical knowledge. Students will be supported in gaining the appropriate teaching experience.

Modules such as the ‘Research Lab’, Elective and ‘Research Project’ modules will feature a blend of written and practical assessment methods arrived at through negotiation between the student and tutor depending on the material under consideration. Many assessments will focus on employability skills and knowledge. The programme assessment strategy involves a trajectory of increasingly personalised options of increasing weight, with peer-to-peer support through forums and occasional team-working (e.g. on CoLab), and staff support through supervisions in the more student-led modules.

Entry Requirements

Admission to the programme is assessed through application and interview.

Academic Entry Requirements

• A degree, or equivalent training and/or professional experience is normally required. For entry, applicants are normally expected to hold a good pass in a BA, BMus (Hons) or equivalent qualification. The programme welcomes applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree, but can demonstrate equivalent previous study and/or experience. Applicants without a degree will be required to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning to demonstrate suitability for postgraduate study;
• Considerable professional experience in music education and/or participatory settings, which should normally be current or recent.
• Fluent musical skills on a principal instrument/voice (normally grade 8 or equivalent professional experience);
• (for International Students) IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all 4 areas / Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English III (ISEIII).

All students will have to successfully complete a DBS check on commencing the programme.

Application Process

Applications are made online through UCAS Conservatoires. Applicants are required to include two references (one practical and one academic) and a personal statement.

Personal statements should address:

• the applicant’s background and relevant experience;
• the reasons for applying to Trinity Laban;
• the relevance of the programme to the applicant’s current practice and their future professional aspirations;
• why the applicant is interested in the programme at this point in his/her career/education/personal and professional development.

A successful applicant to the programme will need to demonstrate the following through personal statement and interview:

• The capacity for independent, critical and reflective judgement;
• Intellectual curiosity and the potential for innovative pedagogical and musical development;
• A critical understanding of the diversity of learners and the complexities of the education process;
• The ability to organise and articulate opinions and arguments in writing using relevant specialist vocabulary.
• High levels of technical fluency and convincing interpretative skills on their instrument.

The RPL process, if required, will be conducted by a follow-up interview.

For more information on the application process please see our step-by-step application guide.

Fees and Finance

Fees for 2024/25

Fees are reviewed annually. Home student tuition fees are aligned with the maximum tuition fee cap set by the UK Government.  International tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases based on RPI-X.

The following fees are confirmed:

Fees

2024/2025 Entrants

Mode of Study	Home	International
Full Time (taken in 2024/25)	£10,630	£22,520
Part-time Year 1 (taken in 2024/2)	£5930	£12,540
Part-time Year 2 (taken in 2025-26)	£6160	£13,040

Accommodation and Living Costs

This information can be found on our Costs of Living page.

Financial Support

Read about financial awards and external funding opportunities in the Fees and Finance section