Music PhD
University of Liverpool
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.3) View reviews

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Different course options
4 options available
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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Location

Liverpool Campus

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

DEC-25

time
Duration

2 Years

Course info

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Liverpool Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

DEC-26

Duration

2 Years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Liverpool Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

DEC-25

Duration

2 Years

SELECTED

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Liverpool Campus

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

DEC-26

Duration

4 Years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Liverpool Campus

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

DEC-25

Duration

4 Years

SELECT

Subjects

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Music
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Exam type

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Location

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Domestic
SELECTED

Other UK
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Channel Islands
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EU
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Course info

The Department of Music is at the forefront of current research and postgraduate teaching across music styles and repertoires from a wide variety of critical perspectives. From 19th century classical music to game music our staff and postgraduate researchers undertake cutting edge, internationally recognised research, at a university home to the first academic centre created specifically to study popular music, founded in 1988.IntroductionIn a UNESCO City of Music with a wealth of musical ...Read more

The Department of Music is at the forefront of current research and postgraduate teaching across music styles and repertoires from a wide variety of critical perspectives. From 19th century classical music to game music our staff and postgraduate researchers undertake cutting edge, internationally recognised research, at a university home to the first academic centre created specifically to study popular music, founded in 1988.IntroductionIn a UNESCO City of Music with a wealth of musical institutions, organisations, festivals and events, our PhD researchers have the opportunity to both study and participate through partnership with locally based cultural and creative industries.The Department of Music offers a stimulating research environment. Our critically acclaimed research encompasses a wide spectrum of music studies. With two supervisors assigned to every PhD researcher, we encourage imaginative combinations of discipline and repertoire to explore new approaches to creative musical excellence and research innovation.Our world-leading expertise in music encompasses numerous methodological approaches and critical perspectives including critical musicology, popular music studies, composition, music psychology and ethnomusicology.Research topicsOur lecturers and postgraduate researchers conduct research on a wide variety of topics in a vibrant and diverse department within an internationally renowned city of music.We invite research proposals that match those of our researchers, whose profiles can be viewed via our staff pages. We particularly welcome proposals in any of the following areas:Music and the moving image (film, television, music in gaming, and music videos)Critical theoretical approaches (including gender studies, race and ethnicity, and diaspora)Jazz studiesEarly musicMusic analysis (with a particular emphasis on aesthetics, psychoanalysis, music and emotion, and popular music)Heritage and historyComposition (with a particular emphasis on its intersection with technology)Technology and digitisationMusic psychology.

Key stats

  IDP Connect
WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2025 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
14/279
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2026
18th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2026
23rd
What students say
SJ
Stephen Jackson
27 Nov 23

I am extremely satisfied with my choice to attend the University of Liverpool for my PhD, MRes, and BA(Hons). It continues to meet my needs well in all aspects, with plenty of..Read more

SR
Student Reviewer
24 May 21

Overall, my first year has been the best it could be due to the pandemic, I think that the staff are lovely and helpful however I can’t say that it has been worth £9000 because..Read more

Entry requirements

The typical requirement is an undergraduate degree at 2:1 or above, or equivalent, in music or another relevant subject. Applicants with a joint honours degree in music or another relevant subject, in combination with an alternative subject, are encouraged to apply.

We would usually consider a taught masters level qualification to be an important precursor to research.

All applicants should send an outline of their proposed topic and a sample of their written academic work with their application. An interview typically forms part of the selection process.

We look at candidates not simply in the light of conventional profiles, but with regard to individual qualities. Those with first degrees obtained from music conservatories (both from EU and overseas institutions) and mature students with non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£5,006 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

£5,006 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Other UK

This is the fee you pay if the University is not in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

The above-mentioned fee is for the Isle of Man

£5,006 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

£24,600 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

£24,600 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Music Studies reviews

Music Studies
Music Studies
SJ
Stephen Jackson
27 Nov 23
Music PhD
I am extremely satisfied with my choice to attend the University of Liverpool for my PhD, MRes, and BA(Hons). It continues to meet my needs well in all aspects, with plenty of...
Read more
SR
Student Reviewer
24 May 21
Music - BA (Hons)
Overall, my first year has been the best it could be due to the pandemic, I think that the staff are lovely and helpful however I can’t say that it has been worth £9000 because...
Read more
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How Music Studies students rated:

Student rating
( 5.0) 2 reviews
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100%
4 stars
0%
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How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 1,519 reviews
5 star
45%
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3 stars
9%
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Uni info

University of Liverpool
Foundation Building Brownlow Hill Liverpool L69 7ZX United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Liverpool Lime Street  0.2 miles away
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