Overview

The Musicology M.M. at the University of Kansas provides postgraduate students with a rigorous academic environment dedicated to the historical and cultural analysis of music. This programme is designed to foster deep critical thinking and sophisticated research skills through a curriculum that spans diverse musical eras and global traditions.

Why Musicology at the University of Kansas?

Students benefit from the exceptional resources of the Thomas Gorton Music and Dance Library, which is recognised as the premier music library in the Great Plains region. The collection includes over 60,000 scores and books, alongside 20,000 sound recordings and essential monument editions for scholarly research.

The university also houses significant archival collections, such as the Richard Wright Jazz Archive and the James Seaver Opera Archive. These facilities provide unique primary source materials for original research. Additionally, the Instrumental Collegium Musicum allows students to engage with early music using an extensive collection of replica instruments from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods.

The faculty at the University of Kansas represent a broad spectrum of expertise, including specialists in the Spanish Renaissance, Czech opera, film music, and ethnomusicology. This diverse academic environment is further enriched by regular lectures from visiting international scholars, ensuring students are exposed to the latest global developments in the field.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 20712 per year
National fee: USD 20712 per year
Local fee: USD 8806 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum focuses on developing advanced historical knowledge and ethnomusicological perspectives. Modules may include:

Musicology
Music History
Ethnomusicology
Instrumental Collegium Musicum
Research Methods
Opera History

Careers with Musicology

Graduates of this programme are prepared for a variety of professional paths within the music industry and academia. The advanced research and analytical skills gained during the course are highly applicable to roles in music archiving, library science, and cultural journalism. Many students also use this master's degree as a foundation for doctoral studies, leading to careers in university teaching and high-level historical research.

Programme Structure

Courses included:

Musicology

Music Theory

Advanced Music Theory

Thesis

Research Skills
History

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-18 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.

Language

English

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115

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

30 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Lawrence, United States

Disciplines

Musicology View 292 other Masters in Musicology in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

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Learn your IELTS Score

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98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Resume
Statement of Purpose
Scanned copies of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary schools attended

Email addresses of three (3) references for letters of recommendation

Repertoire list - Performance applicants
Scholarly writing sample: Organ, Church Music, Musicology and Music Theory applicants

PDF files or links to three (3) original scores (and recordings if available) - Composition applicants

Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Personal Statement
Repertoire List (performance degrees only) - This is a list of pieces studied and performed in order to give the audition committee a sense of your musical background and depth.
3 Letters of Reference - Requested within the application system by providing email addresses for recommenders.
Writing Sample or Pre-screening Video (if applicable, see application checklist in the system or review the Graduate Auditions page for details)

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

20712 USD / year

≈ 20712 USD / year
Out-of-State

20712 USD / year

≈ 20712 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

8806 USD / year

≈ 8806 USD / year

Living costs

Lawrence

United States

900 - 1400 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Musicology.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Lawrence

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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