Admission requirements
Bachelor's degree with at least 120 ECTS credits in music subjects or 90 ECTS credits in musicology.
Programme description
The programme examines analysis from artistic, scholarly and pedagogical perspectives and places its role in performance and practice at the centre. The programme covers music analysis in the Western classical tradition from the Middle Ages to today, alongside elements of jazz and contemporary styles. Analysis functions both as a dedicated subject and as an integrated dimension of aural skills, music cognition, arranging and historical studies.
The programme supports progression to PhD studies in musicology and related fields and thereby to teaching in higher music education and universities. When combined with the qualification in educational theory and practice (PPU), graduates qualify for teaching in primary and secondary schools, folk high schools and municipal arts schools.
Learning objectives
Upon completing the Master’s programme, graduates are expected to
- demonstrate advanced knowledge of music analysis, with specialist depth in defined topics grounded in practical, artistic and historical perspectives
- possess and apply relevant research methods independently in a master’s project
- be able to use analytical insight to support renewal and innovation in performance, pedagogy and creative work
- be able to critically assess research and literature, and use it independently in music studies
- be able to plan and complete an independent, clearly defined research or development project under supervision, which meets professional and ethical standards
- be able to communicate issues in music analysis clearly to both specialists and broader audiences
Organisation
The programme is structured as a seminar-based full-time or part-time course. The programme will comprise teacher-led tuition/lectures, supervision and independent work linked to the tuition/supervision.
An exchange may be undertaken in the third semester.
Attendance is generally speaking not obligatory except in certain subjects. The course description for each component specifies whether attendance is obligatory.
- Read about absenteeism and leave of absence (lovdata.no).
ECTS credits are used to measure the weighting of each course on the programme. The complete Master's programme generates 120 ECTS credits. One year of full-time study is equivalent to 60 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit is equivalent to 27–30 hours of work, including tuition and independent work.
Assessment
The study programme includes subjects using the pass/fail scale and subjects using the graded A–F scale on which an E is the lowest pass grade. The respective course descriptions state which grading system is used.
Further provisions on assessments and exams are stipulated in Chapter VI of the Regulations concerning studies at the Norwegian Academy of Music (lovdata.no).
The diploma will be issued once the student has passed the courses that meet the criteria for the degree. All subjects studied on the programme are listed on the diploma with the associated grade and number of ECTS credits. The title of the Master's project is also included on the diploma.
Exchange
At the Academy, we facilitate the opportunity to go on an exchange as part of your degree. We have exchange agreements with Europe's leading institutions, as well as with exciting and highly ranked music education programmes across the globe. Going on an exchange will therefore not result in a prolonged study period, as one or two semesters abroad will replace tuition you normally would follow at the Norwegian Academy of Music during this time. If you want to go on an exchange during the first year of your Master's programme, you must apply for this before you know whether or not you have been admitted to the programme. It is also possible to travel during your 2nd year of Master's.
Find out more about how, where and when to exchange on NMHs web site (student.nmh.no).
Education quality assurance
The Academy has a system for educational quality assurance and
development that applies to all aspects of education. Students play a
vital role in these efforts by, among other things, participating in
student evaluations of courses and programmes.