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About the course
This honours specialisation in Musicology and Ethnomusicology centres on advanced scholarly inquiry into music, its histories, and its cultural contexts. Students conceive, plan and execute a substantial research project that demonstrates research capability in musicological and/or ethnomusicological topics. The specialisation emphasises academic writing, engagement with relevant literature, and appropriate scholarly referencing conventions.
What you might learn
Students develop the ability to design and deliver an independent, substantial research project in musicology/ethnomusicology, supported by rigorous engagement with current scholarship. They strengthen skills in scholarly communication, including producing extended academic prose with appropriate bibliographic practices and recognised citation styles. The program also supports students to frame research questions and methodologies suitable to historical, cultural, and ethnographic approaches to music.
Career outcome
Graduates are prepared for research-oriented pathways in music and cultural scholarship, including roles supporting research, archives, libraries, or arts and cultural organisations. The training in academic writing and independent project work can support progression to higher degrees by research and careers in academia. Skills in analysing music within social and historical contexts are also relevant to arts administration, cultural policy, and heritage or community-based music initiatives.
Entry requirements
2027 Start Year Intake: Applications open 3 August and close 31 October. All applicants must meet the standard eligibility for the Bachelor of Music (Degree with Honours) in addition to the following: graduates of other institutions or University of Melbourne students without at least H2A (75%) in an academic elective subject at third-year level in the Bachelor of Music must submit an academic writing sample. University of Melbourne Bachelor of Music students with at least H2A (75%) in an academic elective subject at third-year level do not need to submit an academic writing sample. All applicants must submit a direct University application and a supplementary application. Academic Writing Sample (via supplementary application): 2000–3000 words, written within the last five years; must demonstrate scholarly prose, awareness of recent literature, include bibliography/discography and/or interview list as appropriate, and use a recognisable style manual (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style 16th edition). Applicants applying from outside Musicology/Ethnomusicology (e.g., Art History, Cultural Studies, Anthropology) may be required to attend an online interview.
Average Salary***
