MA Music Education and Performance

This is a two year in-person level 7 course with an option for a four year part-time schedule.

Some modules are shared with the MMus, MA Music Education, and MEd Music Education (Online), allowing you to collaborate and network with performers and practising music educators.

If you’re a teaching musician in another musical genre or you want a course without performance skill development, you can apply for our MA Music Education or MEd Music Education (Online).

Module breakdown

Taught modules

• Music’s Pedagogies  
• Contexts of Musical Learning  
• Education Placement  
• Rediscover & Repurpose   
• Research Lab  
• CoLab  
• Electives (see below)  
• Principal Study (1) 
• Principal Study (2) 

Project / Dissertation Module

• Research Project

Electives

You can choose one elective from list A, which will be graded. You can then choose another elective from either list A or B, which will be pass / fail (except for the option to expand the MA MEP Research Project to 50 credits). 

LIST A  

• Instrumental / Vocal Teaching  
• Creative Leadership  
• Theorising Classroom Music  
• Contemporary Theorists in Music Education  
• Technology in Music Education  
• Learning Mentor  
• The Social Impact of Music Making  
• Expanding Horizons: Exploring UK Music Education  

LIST B  

• Current MMus Elective List (all pass / fail)  
• Expansion of Research Project to 50 credits (graded) 

Performance opportunities

You will take the professional studies at minimum level 6 (graduate / LTCL / LRAM level) with one-to-one lessons and an assessed recital, and will be hosted by performance departments (voice, strings, wind brass & percussion, jazz, piano, composition) with their associated classes and ensemble opportunities. You will also have the option of second study lessons. 

Trinity Laban has a rich and diverse performance programme, and you are welcome to audition for the various orchestras, choirs, and ensembles.  

Learning, teaching, and assessment

All modules have a substantial portfolio of asynchronous learning materials, including curated and recommended reading. Modules also have a variety of forms of student-teacher and student-student interactions, including class discussions, online forums, interactive discussion boards, and through formative assessment portfolios. All written submissions can receive draft feedback from staff. The Education Placement and Learning Mentor modules will involve observation in new work contexts and the chance to get to know one or more contexts of music education in the UK. The course will enable you to pursue a portfolio professional career in music education and performance as a teacher, community musicians, instrumentalist, vocalist and / or composer. 

Assessment methods mirror professional requirements as much as possible. The course offers a wide range of assessment tasks, from a video of teaching to case studies and essays. There is a blend of written and practical assessment methods (including composition, teaching resources, reflective journals, action research etc.) and a variety of modes of submission, including multi-media submissions (e.g. narrated PowerPoint, Sway file or podcast). Most assessments are dependent on professional practice as an educator, adaptable to your specific professional role and are centred on connecting reflective practice with theoretical knowledge. You will be supported in gaining the appropriate teaching experience.  

In the assessment for the ‘Principal Study’ (1) and (2) modules performance / composition activities include a student-selected combination of solo, chamber/small ensemble, performance production and lecture-recital. Modules such as the ‘Research Lab’ and ‘Research Project’ will feature a blend of written and practical assessment methods arrived at through negotiation between the student and tutor depending on the material under consideration.  

For more information, please see the programme specification or contact our Admissions team (admissions@trinitylaban.ac.uk). 

• A degree, or equivalent training and / or professional experience is normally required. Applicants are usually expected to hold a good pass in a BA, BMus (Hons) or equivalent qualification.
• We welcome applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree, but can demonstrate equivalent previous study and / or experience.
• Applicants without a degree will be required to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning to demonstrate suitability for postgraduate study.  
• Considerable professional experience in music education and / or participatory settings, which should current or recent.  
• Fluent musical skills on a principal instrument / voice (normally grade 8 or equivalent professional experience).  
• (For International Students) IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all 4 areas / Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English III (ISEIII).  

You will have to successfully complete a DBS check on commencing the programme.  

Admission to the course is assessed through application, audition, and interview. We accept any instrument or voice normally taught at Trinity Laban. 

Application process

Applications are made online through UCAS Conservatoires. You are required to include two references (one practical and one academic) and a personal statement. The personal statement should address your background and relevant experience, reasons for applying to Trinity Laban, the relevance of the course to your current practice and future professional aspirations, and why you are interested in it.  

A successful applicant to the programme will need to demonstrate the following through personal statement and interview:  

• the capacity for independent, critical and reflective judgement  
• intellectual curiosity and the potential for innovative pedagogical and musical development  
• a critical understanding of the diversity of learners and the complexities of the education process  
• the ability to organise and articulate opinions and arguments in writing using relevant specialist vocabulary  
• high levels of technical fluency and convincing interpretative skills on their instrument.  

The RPL process, if required, will be conducted by a follow-up interview.  

For more information on the application process, please see this step-by-step application guide.