• Postgraduate

Music and Performing Arts Education MA

Overview

Overview

Building on your established artistic and performance practice, this Music and Performing Arts Education degree aims to develop your performance teaching, leadership, and research skills across a variety of global music and performing arts educational contexts.

During the course, you will:

  • receive expert tuition and guidance from our team of internationally acclaimed professional lecturers
  • develop your teaching and communication skills for a wide variety of age groups and educational settings
  • engage with both established and newer theories in music and performing arts education
  • deepen your understanding of today’s music and performing arts education sector
  • nurture the entrepreneurial skills required for the contemporary arts educator.

Throughout the degree, there are opportunities to collaborate and work with students from across LCM’s vast creative community, enhancing your learning experience and developing your network of like-minded industry professionals.

A group of students chatting the the UWL Heartspace

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Music and Performing Arts Education with us?

Why study Music and Performing Arts Education with us?

What our students say…

Choosing the MA Music and Performing Arts Education course has been an incredible voyage of self-discovery and professional growth. The course content brilliantly marries artistic expression with educational theory, offering a well-rounded education that's both inspiring and practical. I've had the privilege to engage with master educators, collaborate with fellow musicians, and experiment with innovative teaching methods. The continuous support from the course leaders and the personalised attention they provide has been instrumental in shaping me into a confident and capable music and performing arts educator.

Xuan Li, MA Music and Performing Arts Education Student

I am incredibly grateful for my enriching experience on the MA Music and Performing Arts Education. Throughout the course, I gained a profound understanding of pedagogic theories and practices that have truly transformed my approach to teaching. The one-to-one and small group teaching sessions provided me with personalised guidance and allowed me to develop strong connections with both instructors and fellow students. The opportunities provided, along with the unwavering support from the faculty, empowered me to confidently navigate the dynamic landscape of arts education skills. I've also ignited a passion for lifelong learning and educational excellence. Thank you so much to everyone!

Khurshidbek Ubaydullaev, MA Music and Performing Arts Education student

I applied to UWL because I liked the vibe at the open day. There was lots of information and a good bond between lecturers and students.The modules on my course are really interesting and we have amazing teachers. If there's an issue, I can talk to them. They're always available and are really welcoming.

Olivia Tedman
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London College of Music: founded in 1887
UWL boasts a 200-seat fully equipped studio theatre
Graphic advising that you will receive one-to-one music lessons
£1m+ investment in the Paragon Annex Studios. Our studio complex is now one of the largest in Europe.
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

The degree will help you develop vital skills to hone your professional education-based career, complementing your existing performance abilities.

You will develop vital skills to hone your professional education-based career, complementing your existing performance abilities through modules focussed on:

  • workshop techniques
  • enterprise
  • fund-raising
  • marketing
  • technology
  • pedagogic theory
  • collaboration.

To contextualise these skills within the 21st century, current research-informed practice, and practice-as-research, you will benefit from the vibrant learning environment of the UWL's London College of Music.

This includes close collaboration with our many educational outreach community ventures and the London College of Music Examinations, one of the major global grade and diploma examination boards in music and performing arts-based subjects.

Graduates will be prepared for leadership careers in areas including youth or community Music/Theatre groups and schools, instrumental/vocal/acting/movement performance teaching and institution-based arts education and outreach ventures.

This course also prepares those who wish to develop their research and practice skills further onto PhD study

Compulsory modules

  • Pedagogic Theories and Practices

    This module introduces you to the breadth and range of pedagogic theories and approaches which underpin the philosophies of teaching and learning in music and performing arts education; taking into account the diversity of both the discipline and the 21st-century student.

    Through a detailed lecture series, you will explore different theories of teaching and learning, contrasting approaches to learning, and the development of theories, models and practices in music and performing arts education.

  • Devising Material

    The aims of this module are to provide an overview of relevant and current creative ways to develop workshop activities; offer practical experience in creating and delivering a wide range of workshop activities through solo and collaborative efforts; and present opportunities to reflect, defend and improve on your material and your practical experiences.

  • 1:1 and Small Group Teaching

    This module focuses on the work undertaken in the field of 1:1 or small group teaching; a key income provider for many involved in music and performing arts education.

    This involves specific focus on teaching techniques and approaches for these settings, which are often determined by the specific skill sets required to be taught through this form of delivery, as well as the expectations and the needs of the learners.

  • Creative Workshopping for Education and Community Settings

    The module comprises an initial series of lectures and workshops designed to enhance your understanding and practice of delivering creative music and performing arts workshops in a variety of educational and community settings.

    Following the initial sessions, you will be supported to deliver a series of three progressive workshops in a setting which can be negotiated to take into consideration specific areas of interest and research. Other modules on the course will undoubtedly support the discussions and decisions on selecting an appropriate setting.

  • The Business of Education

    This module focuses on the crucial area of business skills within music and performing arts education, and through a detailed lecture series, you will develop and understand appropriate, advanced entrepreneurial skills.

    These skills concern not only the formation and successful, sustained operation of a self-employed career, but, additionally, the intricacies involving sub-contracted work with arts education franchises, as well as designing relevant and inclusive advertising, recruitment and retention strategies.

  • Research Methods

    This module will consist of weekly video lectures and in-person seminars with PG staff and will support the development of your research and provide opportunities to explore in-depth the links between practice and theory.

    Seminars and group tutorials and peer group presentations provide opportunities for dialogue and interaction and are used to collectively review work in progress, discuss findings and debate issues. Through the module, you will explore primary and secondary methods of research and its design to build your practice, knowledge and in-depth understanding of current debates that inform contemporary practice.

  • Masters Project

    The aim of this module is to conduct a sustained piece of individual research related to a particular specialism.

    The module allows you an opportunity to devise and execute an ambitious and personal, self-managed piece of written work, or artistic product equivalent, that expands and enhances the knowledge and many of the skills acquired during the course. It allows you to explore and research some of these ideas and techniques in a more focused and detailed way. The exact brief is up to the individual, but a named project supervisor will guide you.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You will need:

  • a minimum of a 2.1-degree classification in or related to Music Performance, Performing Arts, Performance or Theatre.

Appropriate experiential learning, in lieu of formal academic qualifications, will also be considered.

We look for students who show enthusiasm and a passion for the subject through previous study or professional experience.

If you have any questions about the relevance of your qualifications or experience please contact the course leader shown in the teaching staff.

6.5 IELTS or above

A minimum of a 2.1-degree classification in or related to Music Performance, Performing Arts, Performance or Theatre. Appropriate experiential learning, in lieu of formal academic qualifications, will also be considered.

English language requirement of IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of IELTS 5.5 in each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening), or equivalent.

UWL also accept several test certificates at an equivalent level, for example; Cambridge, TOEFL, Password or Michigan (C1 in all components).

In addition, if you have studied a degree in English, you may be exempt and not required to submit an English language qualification. Pre-Masters qualifications studied within the UK may also be accepted. For more information, contact the International Office.

We look for students who show enthusiasm and a passion for the subject through previous study or professional experience.

If you have any questions about the relevance of your qualifications or experience please contact the course leader shown in the teaching staff.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

If you are studying a Masters course you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan, this may help contribute towards your course fees and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including awards for specific subjects.

Awards for music students are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Dr Liz Pipe Profile Photo

Dr Liz Pipe

Teaching

As an Associate Professor, Liz lectures on many of LCM’s popular music and music management degree courses, using her vast musical, educational and entrepreneurial skills and experience to teach students at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral level.

Courses Liz teaches on include:

  • MA Music and Performing Arts Education
  • PhD Music
  • BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance
  • BMus (Hons) Performance and Recording
  • BMus (Hons) Performance and Music Management

Teaching

As an Associate Professor, Liz lectures on many of LCM’s popular music and music management degree courses, using her vast musical, educational and entrepreneurial skills and experience to teach students at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral level.

Courses Liz teaches on include:

  • MA Music and Performing Arts Education
  • PhD Music
  • BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance
  • BMus (Hons) Performance and Recording
  • BMus (Hons) Performance and Music Management
Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A guitarist on stage wearing a green plaid shirt.

As a graduate of the MA Music and Performing Arts Education course, you will be prepared for leadership careers in areas including:

  • youth or community music/theatre groups and schools
  • instrumental/vocal/acting/movement performance teaching and institution-based arts education and outreach ventures.

You may choose to develop your research and practice skills further by studying for a PhD.

How to apply

How to apply

Facilities

Facilities

Lawrence Hall, a black box theatre at the University of West London

Performance spaces

Our flexible, professionally-equipped performance spaces include Lawrence Hall, a 200-seat black box studio theatre, and Vestry Hall, a classical music performance space featuring a Steinway B Concert Grand piano, concert tuned percussion and seating for up to 150 

Production Studio 1 at the University of West London

Production studios

We have four black box production rooms featuring performance dance floors, ballet barres, wall mirrors and ¾ drapes. All rooms have PA and AV support in all rooms. The digital stage pianos are by Roland.

A music practice room at the University of West London

One-to-one teaching pods

We have five acoustically isolated teaching pods featuring Roland and Korg digital pianos and mirrors to facilitate one-to-one teaching in voice.

A music performance room at the University of West London

Music performance rooms

All music performance rooms feature drums and backline plus PA support.

  • Drums by Roland and Pearl.
  • Backline by Marshall, Orange, Line 6, Fender and Gallien-Kruger
  • Stage pianos by Korg and Roland
  • Synths by Roland and Kurzwiel
  • PA by Yamaha, ABT and Nexo.
Basement practice room at the University of West London

Basement practice rooms

  • All LCM practice rooms benefit from LCM’s All Steinway School status to bring you the very best instruments.
  • Three percussion practice and teaching rooms.
  • Percussion rooms feature Pearl kits with recording and playback systems.
Media Resource Centre at the University of West London

Media Resource Centre

At our Media Resource Centre (used by all subject areas) you'll find extensive portable audio recording systems, including up to 24 track digital HD recording and portable Focusrite RedNet systems.

There is also video-camera and accessory support, including LED and tungsten lighting systems, track and dolly systems and stedi-cam rigs.

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.