Expand your knowledge of music performance with our master's degree at the University of Southampton. Whether you are a classical pianist, a jazz-and-pop musician, an opera singer, or a musical theatre performer, our programme gives you the opportunity to specialise in various elements of musical performance. You'll graduate with the knowledge and skills for a career in music or further study.
Our MMus Music Performance master's degree gives you the opportunity to specialise in various elements of the field. On this course, you'll study:
Our academic staff and music teachers are internationally noted performers with active solo and ensemble careers, as well as established composers and musicologists. These world-leading experts can offer you intensive one-to-one tuition in performance and additional training to make you a stronger, better informed professional who will be heard in today's music world.
We offer a broad-based MMus programme with 4 specialist pathways:
On the Performance pathway, you’ll work towards the final goal of a professional recital. We’ll work with you to create a portfolio that’s relevant to your career aspirations. Once you graduate, you’ll be ready to:
You can mix your Performance modules with topics from other MMus pathways to develop a wider range of skills and personalise the course to your interests.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes .
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.
In the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2) you’ll study the taught part of your course.
This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we'll ask you to choose from a list of options. Some of these modules are shared with our other MMus pathways.
You'll also prepare a recital for a lunchtime or evening performance, and begin working towards your final recital during this time.
For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently on your final project.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
You’ll need a 2:2 degree in music or a related subject.
For the performance pathway, you'll need to submit video samples of your performance. These should be 2 to 3 pieces running for a total of 15 to 20 minutes, and show your technical proficiency and interpretative ability. These should also display a coherent artistic approach.
You must be able to learn pieces quickly using appropriate skills for your chosen genre:
Your recording must be of an unedited ‘live’ performance with no added post-production. Any application of techniques such as vocal ‘comping’ or pitch-correction will be rejected. You can use different footage for separate audition pieces, although a continuous performance is preferable.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications .
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 18 August 2027, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 4 August 2027, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.