Qualifications
For music education, submit one essay in English of approximately 2000 words. We prefer to see essays on educational topics, but we can assess essays on any topic related to music or education. coherent academic English and evidence of engagement with relevant scholarly literature (e.g., references to academic sources). Where applicants submit a music education essay, we hope to see evidence of a reflective approach to the topic, ideally engaging with recent debates in the field.
For composition, submit at least two contrasting notated compositions. By ‘contrasting’ we mean compositions that showcase different aspects of the applicant’s abilities. Since most composition tuition in the Department involves some form of notation in the tradition of Western art music, we must see the scores for the submitted compositions. If applicants also wish to provide audio or video files of their compositions, we will assess those, but only the notated scores are required. Applicants typically include (a link to) score files and a brief commentary (no more than 500 words) on the submitted work. We will assess composers working in many genres and styles; what we are looking for is evidence of creativity and experimentation as well as sufficient craft to thrive at master’s level.
For musicology, submit one essay in English of approximately 2000 words. We can assess essays on any topic related to music. The main things we are looking for are coherent academic English and evidence of engagement with relevant scholarly literature (e.g., references to academic sources). We hope to see evidence of a reflective approach to the topic, ideally engaging with recent debates in the field.
For sonic arts, submit at least two contrasting compositions that make good use of technology, which can include electronic music, soundscape composition, audio-visual composition & sound design and music for film and/or games. By 'contrasting' we mean compositions that showcase different aspects of the applicant's technical and creative abilities. Applicants typically include (a link to) audio files and a brief commentary (no more than 500 words) on the submitted work.
For community music, submit one essay in English of approximately 2000 words. We prefer to see essays on community music topics, but we can assess essays on any topic related to music or communities. The main things we are looking for are coherent academic English and evidence of engagement with relevant scholarly literature (e.g., references to academic sources). Where applicants submit a community music essay, we hope to see evidence of a reflective approach to the topic, ideally engaging with recent debates in the field.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
