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Master of Music (Research) (MR-MUSRES)
Masters (Research)Year: 2019 Delivered: On Campus (Southbank)
About this course
- Overview
- Entry and participation requirements
- Attributes, outcomes and skills
- Course structure
- Further study
Principal Coordinator
Linda Kouvaras
Contact
Currently Enroled Students:
General Information: Graduate Research Hub
Faculty Specific Information: Fine Arts and Music Current Research Students
Future Students:
Further Information: Faculty of Fine Arts and Music and Study Hub
Email: fineartsmusic-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
Email: fineartsmusic-research@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Award title | Master of Music (Research) |
|---|---|
| Year & campus | 2019 — Southbank |
| CRICOS code | 099325E |
| Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
| Study level & type | Graduate Research |
| AQF level | 9 |
| Duration | 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time |
The Master of Music by research is a graduate research degree designed for students to develop their potential for research, contribute to understandings of contemporary practice and theory, and, where relevant, develop mastery in their field of practice.
Completion of the Master of Music (Research) signifies that the holder has undertaken a substantial piece of original research, which has been conducted and reported by the holder under proper academic supervision and in a research environment for a prescribed period.
Except in the disciplines of Music Psychology, Music Therapy and Musicology/Ethnomusicology; candidates may submit a folio of compositions or a combination of performance folio and related written project.
The Master of Music (Research) is offered in the following discipline areas:
- Composition
- Interactive Composition
- Jazz & Improvisation
- Music Performance
- Music Psychology
- Music Therapy
- Musicology/Ethnomusicology
See course structure for submission requirements by discipline.
Links to further information
Contact
Currently enrolled students:
- General information: Graduate Research Hub
- Faculty Specific Information: Fine Arts and Music Current Research Students
Future students:
- Further information: Faculty of Fine Arts and Music or Study Hub
- Email: fineartsmusic-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
- Email: fineartsmusic-research@unimelb.edu.au
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
- a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree, or equivalent, with at least an H2A (75%) weighted average;
And for:
- Composition: a satisfactory composition folio;
- Interactive Composition: a satisfactory interactive composition folio.
- Music Performance (including conducting); and Jazz & Improvisation: a satisfactory audition;
- Musicology/Ethnomusicology; Music Psychology; Music Therapy and Music Performance: a satisfactory example of scholarly writing.
And:
- A research proposal: see mcm.unimelb.edu.au/study/degrees for details specific to your discipline.
Exceptional applicants, with substantial professional experience and who have completed an undergraduate qualification in a relevant field, can be considered for entry into Master of Music (Research) in the disciplines of Interactive Composition, Jazz & Improvisation and Ethnomusicology without meeting the requirement of completion of an honours degree or equivalent.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the selection committee will consider:
- prior academic performance; and
- the research proposal; and
- the composition folio, audition, and/or piece of scholarly writing.
3. The selection committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission into Graduate Research Courses Policy.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance Band 6.5 is required.
For more information on the application process and details of folio, audition, scholarly writing sample and research proposal requirements visit the Study Hub.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
Creative, Intellectual and Organisational Abilities: Students are expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and to comprehend disciplinary and crossdisciplinary information. Students must have the ability to establish study plans and prioritise objectives and outcomes.
Behavioural and Social Attributes: Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. They must take full responsibility for their own participation and learning. Students also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative environments and must therefore demonstrate a wide range of interpersonal skills which consider the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.
Disability: For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.
It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Apply the best practices of local, national and international standards in their professional performance in their chosen specialisation;
- Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the area of their research in music;
- Pursue an informed program of independent further study in their chosen area of specialisation in music;
- Provide leadership in the profession in their chosen area of specialisation in music;
- Use current technologies and assimilate the potential of emerging technologies to facilitate and heighten the dissemination of skills, knowledge and information;
- Value and participate in projects requiring team-work;
- Apply the experience gained in their training to the practical needs of society as appropriate.
Generic skills
- An ability to initiate research projects and to formulate viable research questions;
- A demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report independent and original research on a closely-defined project;
- An ability to manage time to maximise the quality of research;
- An understanding of the major contours of international research in the research area;
- A capacity for critical evaluation of relevant scholarly literature;
- Well-developed and flexible problem-solving abilities appropriate to the discipline;
- The ability to analyse research data within a changing disciplinary environment;
- The capacity to communicate effectively the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication;
- An understanding of and facility with scholarly conventions in the discipline area;
- A profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship;
- A capacity to co-operate with other researchers;
- An ability to manage information effectively, including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to the student's field of study.
Course structure
A candidate will have appropriately experienced supervisors and an Advisory Committee who, in consultation with the candidate, arranges a course of supervised research designed to suit the individual requirements and interests of the candidate.
Coursework Component
Candidates who do not have the appropriate research methodology background may be required to take the following Research Methodology subject in the first semester of their candidature:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI90191 | The Research Process For Musicians (RHD) |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Students are expected to participate in seminars and intensive research weekends where relevant over the period of their candidature.
Candidates in the discipline of Music Performance are required to complete the following subject in their first semester of enrolment:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI90191 | The Research Process For Musicians (RHD) |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Candidates in the discipline of Jazz & Improvisation are required to complete the following subject in their first semester of enrolment:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| FINA90002 | Research Methods |
March (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
Candidates in the discipline of Interactive Composition may be required to complete the following subject in their first semester of enrolment:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| FINA90002 | Research Methods |
March (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
Candidates in the discipline of Music Performance may enrol in and complete ensemble electives as part of this course.
Thesis and/or Folio Submission
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI70021 | Research Project (MMus) | Time-based Research (On Campus - Southbank) |
Composition
Candidates complete of a folio of works (50–60 minutes in duration) consisting of:
- A minimum of two original compositions in different media.
- A recording of a performance of at least one work written during the period of candidature.
Candidates may alternately undertake a combination of folio and minor thesis (of an equivalent total) with permission of the Course Coordinator.
Candidates also participate in regular seminars and are required to attend Composition Seminar.
Interactive Composition
Candidates must prepare a folio made up of 60 minutes of music and sound-based creative work with other media. The music and sound based creative work may take the form of commercially led music and sound interacting with other media such as film, animation, visual art and installation, text, design, performance, theatre, dance, multimedia, gaming platforms, online media or other new media technologies and modes of presentation. The creative work must be comprehensively audio-visually documented.
Candidates may alternately undertake a combination of folio and minor thesis (of an equivalent total) with permission of the Course Coordinator.
Candidates also participate in regular seminars.
Jazz & Improvisation
Through a course of independent research, students will complete a thesis equivalent to 40,000 words. The thesis will consist of live performance and related written project that together investigate issues and questions that are core to contemporary music making.
Candidates also participate in regular seminars.
Music Performance
Candidates undertake a supervised project that leads to a live, public recital consisting of at least 70 minutes of repertoire (plus an interval of 10-20 minutes) supported by an integrated written work of between 8,000 and 10,000 words. The related written project must be presented in a form that can be sent with the recorded performance for assessment by external examiners.
Candidates also participate in Performance Class and Seminars and are required to present one lecture-recital during their candidature.
Music Psychology
Candidates undertake a significant research project and prepare a thesis of approximately 30,000 - 40,000 words.
Candidates also participate in regular seminars.
Music Therapy
Candidates undertake a significant research project and prepare a thesis of approximately 30,000 - 40,000 words.
Candidates also participate in regular seminars, as well as biannual intensive research weekends with international scholars who provide additional feedback on projects.
Research in Music Therapy is significantly supported and promoted by NaMTRU - National Music Therapy Research Unit.
Musicology/Ethnomusicology
Musicology and Ethnomusicology candidates undertake a research project and prepare a thesis which may be presented as:
- A study of approximately 30,000 - 40,000 words embodying the results of significant research; or
- A transcription and edition of a substantial body of music together with a critical study of between 10,000-20,000 words on the music edited; or
- A minor thesis of 20,000 to 25,000 words and 3 elective subjects.
Candidates also participate in regular seminars.
For more information on seminar requirements for each discipline please refer to course specific information on our website: https://finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/current-students/current-research-students
Further study
At the successful completion of this degree students will be eligible to apply for PhD studies.
Last updated: 27 July 2021