Mode of Attendance: Full-time
This programme is a unique opportunity to study the musical traditions of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and their global diasporas. Students are taught the basic principles of ethnomusicology and survey a variety of Asian and African music. In years 2 and 3 they are encouraged to focus on the music of specific regions and to consider cross-regional themes. Performance is a central component of the degree. Students have the opportunity to develop expertise in a great variety of musical performance traditions.
SOAS has the only Music department in the UK devoted to the study of world music. We have a very active musical life, including concert series, student ensembles and a successful summer school in which students can become involved. Students are taught in the heart of London, home to many vibrant and diverse communities and to a breath-taking array of world music concerts, workshops and festivals. Our students actively participate in this rich and varied musical scene.
Graduates possess not only musical and cultural expertise but also a portfolio of widely transferable skills sought by employers in professional and creative industries. The programme leads into careers and vocational pathways including arts management, festival administration and curating, music journalism, teaching, performing and composing, album production, and management and consultancy within the music industry in Europe, Asia and Africa.
This two-subject degree allows more scope for studying language or other non-musical aspects of particular cultures than the single subject BMus Music. Some two-subject programmes are completed in three years while others take four years and include a year abroad. The single-subject degree allows greater concentration on music, including Western music and Performance.
May be combined with:
Arabic+, (TW63 BA/MSA)
Chinese+, (TW13 BA/MSCH)
Development Studies, (LW93 BA/MSDVS)
East Asian Studies (T4W3 EaMu)
History, (VW3 BA/MSH)
History of Art, (VW33 BA/HAAM)
Japanese+, (TW21 BA/MSJ)
Korean+, (TWLJ BA/MSKO)
Languages and Cultures (TTW3 LC/Mu)
Social Anthropology, (LW63 BA/SAMS)
World Philosophies (W302 BA/MSSEA)
+ 4-year degree with (compulsory) one year abroad++ 3 or 4-year degree with the option of one year abroad
