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Subject · 77 verified programs

Ethnomusicology: degrees, diplomas and programs

Study of music as a social and cultural practice worldwide, combining fieldwork, ethnography, listening and often hands-on learning of traditions.

Also called: World Music Studies, Music and Anthropology, Comparative Musicology, Folk and Traditional Music Studies, Musikethnologie, Etnomusicologia, Ethnomusicologie, Etnomusicología.

28 MA · 28 PhD · 7 BA / BA (Hons) · 5 MM / MMus · 4 Other bachelor’s award · 2 Graduate / postgraduate certificate · 1 Certificate · 1 BS / BSc · 1 Other master’s award · 35 dedicated degree, 17 official concentration, 12 documented pathway, 13 named major

77 programs

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About ethnomusicology study

Ethnomusicology studies music in its cultural setting. Instead of asking only what a piece sounds like, it asks who makes music, why, for whom and with what meaning. The field covers traditional, folk, popular, religious and classical music from all regions, including those of the researcher's own society, and uses methods from anthropology, sociology and folklore alongside musical analysis.

A defining feature is fieldwork. Students may spend time with musicians and communities, taking part in lessons, rehearsals and events, interviewing, recording and documenting with consent. Many programs also include ensemble courses in which students learn to play a tradition's music, such as a gamelan, a drumming ensemble or a regional vocal style, to understand it from within.

Ethnomusicology differs from historical musicology in its emphasis on contemporary practice and ethnography, though the two overlap. It also raises ethical questions about representation, ownership and collaboration with communities, which are a regular part of training. Programs are mostly at graduate level, often with undergraduate courses leading in.

What study typically involves

  • Ethnographic and fieldwork methods
  • Music cultures of different regions and communities
  • World music ensembles and learning traditional repertoires
  • Transcription, analysis and recording techniques
  • Theories of culture, identity, gender and globalization
  • Archives, sound collections and ethics of documentation
  • Regional languages and area studies in some programs
  • Academic writing and presenting research

Award titles. Ethnomusicology is commonly recognized through the BA or BMus with an emphasis in world music, the MA or MMus at master's level, and the PhD, which is the main research doctorate. Some countries use different titles or combine it with anthropology or folklore degrees. Names and structure vary by country, and awards are not treated as equivalent here.

A program is listed under Ethnomusicology only when it is a dedicated ethnomusicology degree, a named major, an official concentration or a documented pathway. A world music survey course does not count. Programs centered on Western historical scholarship are listed under Musicology.

Auditions and admissions guidance

Requirements differ for every program and instrument. Always check the official admissions page; this directory cannot guarantee acceptance.

Applicants are generally asked for a writing sample, often a research paper, plus transcripts, references and a statement describing research interests and any regional or community connections. For doctoral study, a preliminary research project idea and evidence of language skills relevant to a field site may be expected.

Programs may ask about musical experience, including performance in any tradition, and some test music reading, theory or listening. Interviews can occur. Prior fieldwork or ensemble experience can be an advantage, but formal requirements differ.

Expectations vary by institution and country and differ from audition-led routes. Check the official admissions page for samples and deadlines. Nothing here guarantees admission.

See also the guide to preparing for auditions.

Funding and costs

Funding for graduate study may include teaching assistantships, fellowships and research council awards. Fieldwork often attracts separate grants for travel, language study and equipment, which can be competitive and have specific eligibility rules.

Terms depend on the institution and country, and many students receive partial support or none. Contact each program and funding body directly.

Costs beyond tuition. Possible costs include fieldwork travel and living expenses, visas and research permits, language courses, recording equipment, and fees for lessons with tradition bearers.