Master's Degree Programme in Music and Science

In the Master's Degree Programme in Music and Science, students learn about empirical music research in an international context. Emphasis is placed on research methods and recent developments within the field, leading students to deepen their understanding of music’s unique role in contemporary life. The programme is multidisciplinary, allowing students to specialize from a host of areas including music psychology, sociology, cognitive science, music technology, or music therapy. The use of digital technology is interwoven within the degree, leading to skill acquisition with the field’s research tools. With new competencies at hand, students can take their acquired skills into practice through work internships or research apprenticeships as part of their individualized study plan. The studies in Music and Science culminate in the writing of a thesis. The thesis follows the standards and practices of high quality scientific and communication skills, and supports skill acquisition and critical thinking development within the student’s chosen basic or applied research topic. The student also learns to apply scientific knowledge in their own field and to function as an expert and developer in worklife.

The program is taught multilingually, with Finnish and English acting as official languages. Finnish and international students study together to foster multicultural and multilingual communication skill development. All students are encouraged to apply for internships abroad, and study other foreign language courses as part of their optional studies. Additionally, internationalization is carried out by participating in the programme’s English-language teaching and in other optional courses offered by the department and university.   

  A Masters of Arts graduate:

- Has masterd the core contents and methods of their field of study and has deepened their expertise in one or more specialized areas.

- Is capable of independently generating new knowledge using scientific methods and responsibly developing their professional environment.

- Has demonstrated the ability to exercise ethical and sustainable judgment in expert roles.

- Possesses diverse project management skills, digital proficiency, as well as communication and collaboration abilities required in expert positions.

- Is adept at working internationally and fostering collaboration in multilingual and multicultural settings.

- Recognizes their strengths in competence and has embraced the concept of lifelong learning.

- Is proficient in assessing and evaluating their competence and competency needs in relation to their career objectives, and has the qualifications for pursuing further scientific studies in their own field.

Attained skills related to the Music and Science programme:

- Master key content and methods of music research, emphasizing empiricism, to comprehensively understand the field

- Evaluate and apply selected research methods to address specific questions within music research and/or music therapy research

- Explain and evaluate musical phenomena using theoretical frameworks established within specific areas of music and applied music research

- Understand the interdisciplinary and international nature of music research, while considering the ethical and social sustainability aspects inherent to the field

- Acquire a deep understanding of phenomena related to music research, establishing connections with other musical phenomena for a comprehensive perspective

- Understand the cognitive, psychological, cultural and social nature of music, engaging in informed discussion using both Finnish and English languages.

- Produce and communicate novel insights related to musical phenomena in Finnish and English, demonstrating responsibility and contribution to the field