Programme
The Faculty of Music offers a 1-year MPhil in Music for graduates who want to develop experience in music research. Within that degree you can take the Music and Science track,
taking scientifically oriented optional courses,
and conducting a research project in music and science.
The year is organised in three terms:
- Michaelmas (Term 1). Intensive study of general topics and research skills in musicology. There is substantial required reading, and only a small part is scientific. Applicants should ideally already know some musicological literature (through taught courses or self-study) and be keen to learn more.
- Lent (Term 2). Two taught courses chosen from a wider selection.
Music and Science students typically take the MPhil Music & Science course,
plus either another Music course or an external course;
we normally recommend courses from
the Centre for Digital Humanities
or the Social Sciences Research Methods Programme (SSRMP).
- Easter (Term 3). This is dedicated to the research project, though most students will already have made substantial progress in the first two terms.
As a CMS member you will join a vibrant community of other postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers who regularly meet for seminars and work together in a shared office space. We particularly look for team players who enjoy group discussion and collaboration!
Finances
Cost
The latest fees are on the Postgraduate Finance page. For reference, for 2026-27 tuition fees were £16,109 for home students and £37,856 for international students, with estimated living costs of £14,895.
Funding
MPhil funding is available, though highly competitive. Most applications go through a central University scheme; see Funding Postgraduate Study. To be eligible you typically need to apply well in advance,
typically around a year in advance of your start date.
Other schemes exist outside the central University route. One example relevant to US citizens is the Churchill Scholarship.
Applying
Timeline
Each year’s programme starts in October. If you want to apply for funding (highly recommended),
there are various deadlines to look out for, usually starting from October the previous year
(Gates Cambridge USA) and lasting until January.
Even if you are not applying for funding, we encourage you to apply by this deadline so that
your application is considered before places are filled.
You may be asked to attend an online interview. These usually take place within a month of the January funding deadline, or within a month of your application if you submit later.
Expressions of interest
We encourage you to get in touch in advance of submitting your application
to get feedback on your CV and planned research direction.
To do this, please write directly to the
CMS director (Peter Harrison),
including the following:
- A draft CV (short is fine, but it should include estimated or final undergraduate grades);
- A sample piece of work;
- A paragraph or so about your research interests and how they fit into the available topics;
- Any questions you might have about the application process and the programme.
How to apply
See the centralised Faculty guidance at How to Apply.
