MA in Popular Music and Sonic Cultures
Explore the intersection of music, culture, and technology in a globally recognized Master’s programme at a World Top 100 university.
Best for:Best for music scholars, industry professionals, and creative practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of popular music’s cultural and technological dimensions through rigorous academic and hands-on study.
Overview
The Master of Arts in Popular Music and Sonic Cultures at the University of Groningen offers a unique interdisciplinary programme that blends creative practice, music analysis, and theoretical research. Students engage with diverse music genres—from hip-hop and electronic dance music to jazz and sound design—while examining the impact of digital media on creativity, distribution, and industry structures. Taught by internationally recognized scholars, this programme equips graduates with critical and practical skills for careers in music, media, and cultural industries. It critically addresses contemporary challenges in music production, consumption, and cultural policy within rapidly evolving technological and economic landscapes.
What you'll do
- Develop critical and analytical skills to examine the cultural, economic, and technological dimensions of popular music and sonic cultures.
- Engage in creative practice and music analysis through coursework, workshops, and internships.
- Explore the impact of digital media on music production, distribution, and reception.
- Collaborate with faculty and peers to research contemporary music trends and industry challenges.
- Apply theoretical frameworks to analyze music videos, soundscapes, video games, and theatrical sound design.
- Develop transferable skills for careers in music, media, and cultural industries.
Requirements
Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in Music, Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, or a related field (equivalent to a Dutch Bachelor’s degree).
Degree offered: Master of Arts (MA)
Language: English; proficiency sufficient for academic study and research
Instruction: English
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Basic proficiency in research methodologies and theoretical frameworks
- Ability to engage with interdisciplinary approaches to music and culture
- Familiarity with digital media and its impact on creative industries
- No specific nationality restrictions
- No age restrictions
- No prior work experience requirements
Funding & terms
Programme and admissions
Admissions not verified
A catalogue listing does not mean applications are open or funding is guaranteed. Check the source for your intake.
- Intake
- Not confirmed by the source
- Duration
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- Teaching language
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- Taught / research mode
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- Study mode
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- Campus
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- Prerequisites
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- Tuition
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How to apply
Deadline: 2027-05-01
Applicants must submit their application through the University of Groningen’s official portal. Required documents include a CV, a letter of motivation, academic transcripts, and proof of English proficiency. Additional materials may be requested depending on the programme’s specific requirements.
- CV
- Letter of motivation
- Academic transcripts (Bachelor’s degree)
- Proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
- Passport-sized photo (if required)
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