Overview

The Sacred Music programme at the University of St Andrews offers a unique interdisciplinary formation in Sacred Music for musicians, scholars, and leaders in artistic ministry. It is taught jointly by the School of Divinity's Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts and the University of St Andrews Music Centre.

The University of St Andrews has a range of unique music facilities for Sacred Music students, including the new state-of-the-art Laidlaw Music Centre.

Highlights

Develop skills relevant to your area of specialism in music making (e.g. composition, choral directing, organ, instrumental music in worship) or in music journalism and lecturing

Gain insights into the theological and philosophical underpinnings of music in worship, both in the past and in the present day

Study at the School of Divinity, based in the ancient St Mary’s College Quad, and at the University of St Andrews Laidlaw Music Centre

Receive expert tuition from musicians and scholars working actively in the field of sacred music, including Sir James MacMillan, composer and professor of Theology, Imagination and the Arts

Benefit from excellent music resources, including cutting-edge electronic music studios, a purpose-built recital hall, four pipe organs, and the acclaimed St Salvator’s Chapel Choir

Careers

The MLitt in Sacred Music will benefit those wishing to pursue a career as a church musician, or who are already active as church music makers.

Theology and Music, and Sacred Music, are growing fields of interdisciplinary scholarship, and this programme will also benefit those wishing to pursue doctoral study in the area.

Previous graduates of the MLitt in Sacred Music have gone on to church music leadership and performing roles, active ministry, doctoral research at St Andrews and elsewhere, and positions in the wider field of music and the arts.

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Programme Structure

Courses include:

Music and the Sacred in Theory and Practice

Making Music in a Church Context

Sacred Music in the West: History and Context

Christian Doctrine and the Arts

Check out the full curriculum

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Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-14 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-06 00:00:00

Language

English

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

St Andrews, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Theology and Religious Studies Music Liberal Arts View 208 other Masters in Music in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

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98 accuracy using real exam data
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Other requirements

General requirements

A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree and relevant experience in theology or music. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.

English language proficiency.

personal statement (300 to 500 words)

sample of your own, single-authored academic work in English (2000 words)

two original signed academic references

academic transcripts and degree certificates

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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

25900 GBP / year

≈ 25900 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

12030 GBP / year

≈ 12030 GBP / year

Living costs

Saint Andrews

United Kingdom

660 - 1140 GBP / month

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

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

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.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Sacred Music.

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

Highlights

Careers

Get more details

Programme Structure

Check out the full curriculum

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

Explore more key information

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Make sure you meet all requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

Saint Andrews

Funding

Check for any work restrictions

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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