The MPhil is designed for students wishing to attain a thorough grounding in musical performance studies at an advanced level, either as a preparation for doctoral research or an autonomous qualification. In the first year you will follow the MSt in Music (Performance), proceeding in the second year to individual supervision leading to the completion of a recital and a dissertation.
The Master of Philosophy in Music (Performance) introduces a broad range of current methodologies and approaches in music scholarship.
The first year of the course is identical to that of the MSt in Music (Performance). The main teaching and coursework is done in the first two terms and the third is reserved for completion of assessed work.
The second year is spent producing coursework.
Assessment
As the first year of this course is identical to the MSt in Music (Performance), assessment will be through an examined lecture-recital at the beginning of Hilary term, an essay in musicology at the end of Hilary term and a second essay in musicology and a longer recital at the end of Trinity term.
In order to proceed to the second year of the MPhil, you will normally need to obtain an average of 65% for your first year work overall, and a mark of over 70 in your final recital.
The second year is then spent producing coursework, comprising both a recital of at least two contrasted pieces, and a dissertation in musicology or ethnomusicology or a substantial edition with prefatory matter of comparable length.
Expected January 2027
Start date
October 2026
University of Oxford
University Offices,
Wellington Square,
Oxford,
Oxfordshire,
OX1 2JD, Southern England, United Kingdom
As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:
However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.
For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0. However, most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.7.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Product of
Get to hear first-hand experiences from past students, join groups and more with our new community feature!
View community now!
