Music Schools Worldwide
Compare0

Subject · 335 verified programs

Musicology and Music History: degrees, diplomas and programs

Scholarly study of music in its historical, cultural and critical contexts, built on archives, scores, writing and research.

Also called: Historical Musicology, Music History, Music History and Literature, Musikwissenschaft, Musicologia, Musicologie, Musicología.

64 MA · 63 PhD · 54 MM / MMus · 44 Other master’s award · 36 Other bachelor’s award · 31 BM / BMus · 27 BA / BA (Hons) · 10 Other research doctorate · 3 Certificate · 2 Graduate / postgraduate certificate · 1 BFA · 175 dedicated degree, 67 named major, 61 official concentration, 32 documented pathway

335 programs

How results are ordered: alphabetically by institution, or by most recently checked when you choose that sort. There is no price ranking, because tuition in different currencies, fee categories and bases (per year, per credit, whole program) is not comparable. A program appears under a subject only through a verified link (dedicated degree, major, concentration or documented pathway). A value we could not verify is shown as “not published”, never as “no”. Items marked Sponsored are paid placements; they never change verification or order. Online programs are not counted as physically located in a state or city, and an institution’s location does not tell you whether it enrols students from your country.

About musicology and music history study

Musicology is the scholarly study of music's history and meaning. Researchers ask how music was made, performed, heard and understood in particular times and places, and how it relates to politics, religion, technology and social life. Work often begins with primary sources such as manuscripts, early prints, letters, reviews and recordings, and develops into arguments about interpretation.

Degree study combines broad survey courses with specialized seminars on periods, composers, genres or themes, and with training in research methods. Students learn to read different notations, work in libraries and archives, evaluate sources and edit texts, and to write clearly in an academic style. Reading knowledge of languages such as German, French, Italian or Latin is often expected.

Musicology differs from music theory, which focuses on musical structure, and from ethnomusicology, which studies music in living cultures through fieldwork. The boundaries are porous and many scholars cross them. It is mostly studied at graduate level, with undergraduate music degrees often providing history coursework that leads into it.

What study typically involves

  • Historical surveys of Western and, in some programs, other music traditions
  • Seminars on periods, composers, genres or themes
  • Archival and source studies, paleography and editing
  • Critical approaches, including gender, race, media and politics
  • Research methods, bibliography and academic writing
  • Languages for reading scholarly and primary sources
  • Music analysis and aural skills as support
  • Teaching assistance and presenting research

Award titles. Musicology is commonly recognized at undergraduate level through the BA or BMus with a history emphasis, at master's level through the MA, MMus or MM, and at doctoral level through the PhD, which is the main research degree. Names and structure vary by country, and awards are not treated as equivalent here.

A program is listed under Musicology and Music History only when it is a dedicated musicology degree, a named musicology major, an official concentration or a documented pathway. Music history coursework taken as part of another degree does not count.

Auditions and admissions guidance

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

Applicants to musicology are usually asked for a substantial writing sample, such as a research paper on a historical or analytical topic, plus transcripts, references and a statement of research interests. For doctoral study, a clear and realistic proposal and evidence of language ability are important.

Programs often check musical knowledge through a placement exam in history, theory or aural skills. Some interviews take place, and graduate programs may ask for a second language reading test. Strong performers or composers are welcome but the main evidence is scholarly potential.

Requirements vary by institution and country and differ greatly from performance auditions. Check the official admissions page for samples and tests. Nothing here guarantees admission.

See also the guide to preparing for auditions.

Funding and costs

Funding for musicology is often through teaching assistantships, fellowships, research council studentships and scholarships, with doctoral support more common than master's support in some countries. Archive visits and conferences may attract separate travel grants.

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 research travel to archives and libraries, reproduction and permissions fees, language courses, books and database access, and conference attendance.