Join the Music MRes at the University of Liverpool and pursue your unique and original research goals through a one-year full-time or two-year part-time research project. This programme encourages dynamic, individual and adventurous approaches to research in and through music, with pathways in musicology, composition, popular music performance, music psychology and creative music technology. Our experts will guide and support you as you confidently produce a practical portfolio, dissertation, report, or a tailored combination of outputs that emerge from your research process.
Music at Liverpool embraces diversity and celebrates individuality, and the Music MRes is designed to help you explore your own research ambitions through a flexible and student-centred structure.
Modules focus on developing your research skills, providing the foundation for your major research project, supported throughout by one-to-one supervision. Staff in the Department of Music represent a wide range of interests and expertise and will help you shape and refine your research journey — see our staff pages for details.
The programme encourages exploratory, adventurous and often interdisciplinary research across a broad range of methodologies. As a researcher, you will gain the critical and analytical skills needed to craft a major final project. This might take the form of a dissertation, a set of compositions, recordings, a prototype technology, or another agreed format. Through workshops, seminars and research training, you will immerse yourself in the wider cultural and critical contexts of your chosen area while developing your project.
Past projects have included research on music and UK politics, gender and musical theatre, classical performance with Max/MSP, augmented MIDI control for electric guitar, and composition portfolios ranging from contemporary classical and modernism to folk songwriting and vaporwave.
You will work closely with a research specialist in your chosen area — such as musicology, popular music, music industries, composition, analysis, audio-visual media or music technology — and join a community of active researchers, developing your own project in collaboration with an academic supervisor.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Early modules provide research training relevant to your chosen field and introduce supervised exercises such as compiling specialist bibliographies and producing preliminary written or practical work. These support your preparation for the dissertation or major practical portfolio.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| RESEARCH RESOURCES (SOTA701) | 15 |
| TRAINING FOR MUSIC AND RESEARCH (MUMA722) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching focuses on supporting the development and completion of your dissertation or major practical project, under the guidance of your supervisor(s).
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| FEASIBILITY STUDY (SOTA702) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You will choose either a dissertation or a major practical portfolio, depending on the nature of your research.
For example, students producing a composition portfolio, creative music technology work or popular music performance/recording take the practical portfolio pathway. Students undertaking text-based research — such as in music psychology or musicology — complete a dissertation.
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| MAJOR PRACTICAL PORTFOLIO (MUMA701) | 120 |
| DISSERTATION (SOTA703) | 120 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
The Music MRes is delivered through a variety of teaching modes, including group sessions, one-to-one supervision, seminars, tutorials, and workshops. In person class sizes are typically small (10–15 students), allowing for high levels of engagement and interaction.
MRes students also join PhD researchers for in person seminars and workshops, enabling you to learn about research projects and develop professional skills, which are especially helpful if you wish to pursue a research career.
The MRes consists of several modules across three semesters, each with its own assessment tasks. Assessments are designed to guide and support your development toward your major practical portfolio or dissertation.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
As a Music student at the University of Liverpool, you will be a part of a small and friendly department. With access to our extensive range of facilities including state-of-the-art recording faclilities, our auditorium and professionally maintained instruments. All while being surrounded by like-minded musicians.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
The Music MRes develops key skills relevant to a wide range of music-related professions. It is particularly suitable for graduates seeking careers in the arts, culture, creative and heritage sectors, including composition, arts and culture management, and teaching. Some students pursue the programme for personal development and to deepen or revitalise their subject knowledge.
The MRes also provides strong preparation for further research at PhD level and is an excellent first step toward an academic research or teaching career.
The programme opens up career opportunities which include working in:
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,006
Part-time place, per year - £2,503
Full-time place, per year - £25,350
Part-time place, per year - £12,650
International MRes tuition fees are for the academic year 2026/27. UK MRes fees are for the academic year 2025/26. We will update these fees for the academic year 2026/27 shortly.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies.
Please note, this programme may have additional costs associated with it depending on your choice of a lab or computational/fieldwork-based project.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
Please note that this scholarship is only available for master's courses starting from September 2026.
If you have a demonstrable interest in the social value field, social impact assessments, or community-centred approaches, this scholarship could help to pay your tuition fees.
If you have a strong interest in musicians' health, wellbeing and equality, this scholarship could help to pay your tuition fees.
Studying a masters in any subject and aspiring to a career using data and digital skills in the public sector or within public missions such as health, renewable energy or climate change ? If you live in the Liverpool City Region, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000. Two awards are available per academic year.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.
If you’re a UK student joining our Music MRes and can demonstrate expertise in composition, you could be eligible to have the full cost of your tuition fees covered with this scholarship. One award will be available in each academic year.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
If you’re a British Muslim, active within a Muslim community and dedicated to bringing positive change to society, you could apply to potentially have the full cost of your master’s tuition fees covered by an Aziz Foundation Scholarship.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in Music or a closely related subject. You will also have to provide a sample of written work e.g. an undergraduate assignment. |
| International qualifications |
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MRes, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with writing at 6.5 and no other component below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 21, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 overall, with literacy and production not less than 120, and comprehension and conversation not below 105 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with writing at 61, and no other component below 59 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 overall, with writing at 70, and no other skill below 65 |
| PSI Skills for English | B2 Pass with Merit in all bands |
| INDIA Standard XII | National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English. |
| WAEC | C6 or above |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 6.0 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 6.0 overall, with writing at 6.0, and no other component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no component below 5.0 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with writing at 6.5 and no other component below 6.0, for further details.
Discover more about the city and University.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience, living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
If you would like to discuss your research proposal, please contact the programme director.
Last updated 6 January 2026 / / Programme terms and conditions