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Explore the creative possibilities of integrating pedagogy with performance.
Year of entry: 2025 (September)
Join us online or in person to find out more about postgraduate study at York.
Upcoming eventsExplore the possibilities of integrating music education with performance, blending instrumental pedagogy and theoretical insight with performance modules.
Study a combination of theoretical, practical and recital modules unique to this course. You'll enhance your technical, artistic and instrumental teaching abilities.
Develop innovative teaching strategies drawing on theoretical and practical insights in music education. Communicate your ideas confidently in individual and group settings. Learn to critically reflect on performance and repertoire. Design and deliver informed and compelling performances.
You'll join a vibrant, supportive academic community and performance culture. We'll support your artistic and academic development as you prepare for recitals. Regular one-to-one tuition in your instrument is at the heart of the programme. Build healthy practice and performance habits, and apply your understanding of historical and musical context to your own interpretations.
The skills you gain will enhance your professional abilities. You'll graduate as a skilled creative musician ready for a career as an instrumental teacher, work in a related field, or go on to further study.
This course is currently only open to those who study Western orchestral instruments and piano.
The skills and experience you'll gain on this course are directly applicable to your career as a music educator and performer.
You'll take a combination of core modules drawn from our postgraduate music education and performance courses.
Your final recital and pedagogical essay will consolidate your ability to independently design, prepare and present a substantial solo performance. Your performance will reflect your interests and identity as a performing artist. You'll demonstrate your awareness of the pedagogical aspects of repertoire, and reflect on this in your essay.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Your course will conclude with a substantial public recital and accompanying pedagogical essay.
You'll showcase your artistic and scholarly insight, advanced technique, musical communication and interpretation. Your essay will demonstrate your awareness of the pedagogical aspects of repertoire in a critical, and reflective way.
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
My professors gave me a wonderful learning experience which I really enjoyed. My tutors gave me many constructive suggestions about applying for a PhD that has made my future goals clearer.Ka, MA Music Education: Instrumental and Vocal Teaching
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £11,200 | £25,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) | £5,600 | £12,950 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Classes are formed of a variety of taught and discussion-based formats and regularly involve practical work.
You'll be taught via seminars and practical sessions in which you'll have the opportunity to teach others and receive feedback. Regular meetings with course tutors will allow you to discuss your progress and prepare for assessments.
You'll receive 20 hours of one-to-one instrument tuition over the duration of your course.
The School of Arts & Creative Technologies is home to outstanding facilities, including a variety of seminar rooms for class teaching. These rooms have an array of specialised teaching equipment including pianos, interactive whiteboards and audio equipment.
The John Paynter Music Library is an elegant facility, located within the University Library, and houses the main music collections. It is also equipped with digital pianos, and media replay equipment.
The University Library houses an extensive collection of CDs and DVDs, which are available for listening and research. There are also archival recordings available for student use in the University of York Sound Archives.
The Document Supply Centre of the British Library is located in Boston Spa, near to York. A weekly bus service runs during term-time.
Almost all of your teaching will take place within the School of Arts & Creative Technologies. The School has sites on Campus East and Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You will design and present two recitals which will be assessed on criteria including technical command, interpretative and historical insight, and creativity. Other modules often include a choice of assessment formats such as assessed lesson and commentary, essay, literature review, conceptual analysis and report.
Throughout your course, you submit work which does not count towards your final grade. This is a chance for you to receive feedback from your tutors, discover your strengths and identify areas for improvement.
The experience you'll gain will boost your employability in a competitive international field. The skills you learn are applicable to a range of educational activities. You'll be ready to work in studio, institutional teaching and performance contexts.
Your understanding of technique and interpretation will cover a range of instrumental repertoire. You can apply this with confidence in pedagogical settings. Your insight and increased expertise will enable you to deliver thoughtful and sophisticated performances.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
You will need to submit a sample of your creative work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting creative work.
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 459-494, with 426-458 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
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