Research Degrees in Music

We offer a supportive and collaborative research environment to our students, who benefit from the flexible approach to learning offered by the University. Each student is supported by at least two supervisors, as well as the Research School’s year-round programme of workshops, seminars and training for postgraduate students. 

In addition, the Music Department offers regular research events which enable students to meet with their peers, present research papers and develop skills relevant to their research and future career. You will also have the opportunity to apply to be involved in teaching at the OU as part of the Faculty’s PhD student teaching scheme.

As a research student at the OU, you will also have access to the OU library with its extensive collections of digital journals and books, as well as being able to become a member of a research library close to you through the SCONUL Access scheme.

How to apply

We welcome applications for full-time or part-time study. We normally expect you to have completed an MA or equivalent higher degree before applying to the PhD programme, but other relevant experience will be considered, so please get in touch if this applies to you.

All PhD students are initially registered for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and the PhD registration is confirmed after the successful completion of a probationary assessment (at the end of year 1 for full-time students and year 2 for part-time).

Students normally begin their studies in early October, and the closing date for applications falls in late March.

We encourage applicants to discuss their application with the Department before applying. In the first instance, please contact the department’s Postgraduate Convenor, Dr Helen Barlow, at [email protected]

When you contact us, you should provide a draft research proposal of around 1,000 words covering the following points:

• the topic or area to be investigated
• the research question your project will address
• the likely methods and techniques to be used in the investigation
• the relationship of the proposed research to the published literature and current research, and an indication of the contribution your thesis would make (in other words, what is the gap your research would fill?)
• details of any work you have already done in the proposed field
• your suitability as a researcher for the proposed project, and in particular, your previous academic qualifications and your experience of undertaking research 

This will enable us to give you feedback on your project and determine whether we have a potential supervision team.

The process of circulating your draft proposal can take several weeks (or longer during busy periods), so please make sure that you begin this process well in advance of the application deadline – ideally, at least a couple of months ahead.

After you have received feedback, you will need to make a formal application. Further details of how to do this can be found on the FASS Research Degrees page.

For any queries about pursuing research with the Music Department, please contact Dr Helen Barlow at [email protected].