48 monthsProgramme duration
23,390 GBPTuition Fee/year
SepStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Music
Degree
PhD
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
Staff and students of the Department of Music pursue research on a wide range of subjects, mainly but not exclusively focused on the music of Asia and Africa.
Staff have regional interests in the music of East and Central Asia (Harris), India and Pakistan (Williams), the Islamic Middle East (Saeid Kordmafi) and Jewish world (Webster-Kogen), and South and East Africa (Impey). However research is not limited to these areas: projects have been undertaken on American jazz, and on Caribbean, Mediterranean and Eastern European music, for example. Staff often have research interests in issues that cross regional boundaries; see the Department Staff page for a summary of their interests, and select the name of a lecturer for further details of their individual research specialisms and activities.
Whatever its regional origin, music is studied as a cultural phenomenon, and also from analytical and historical perspectives. Instrumental and vocal, sacred and secular, art and popular, traditional and modern musical forms are all of equal interest. Research methods employed include fieldwork, interview, archive research, recording and filming, performance, transcription and analysis, and composition.
The Department of Music at SOAS has been ranked best in the UK for research impact and 5th overall in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. SOAS is also ranked top 20 in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2026).
Staff have regional interests in the music of East and Central Asia (Harris), India and Pakistan (Williams), the Islamic Middle East (Saeid Kordmafi) and Jewish world (Webster-Kogen), and South and East Africa (Impey). However research is not limited to these areas: projects have been undertaken on American jazz, and on Caribbean, Mediterranean and Eastern European music, for example. Staff often have research interests in issues that cross regional boundaries; see the Department Staff page for a summary of their interests, and select the name of a lecturer for further details of their individual research specialisms and activities.
Whatever its regional origin, music is studied as a cultural phenomenon, and also from analytical and historical perspectives. Instrumental and vocal, sacred and secular, art and popular, traditional and modern musical forms are all of equal interest. Research methods employed include fieldwork, interview, archive research, recording and filming, performance, transcription and analysis, and composition.
The Department of Music at SOAS has been ranked best in the UK for research impact and 5th overall in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. SOAS is also ranked top 20 in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2026).
Programme overview
Main Subject
Music
Degree
PhD
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
Staff and students of the Department of Music pursue research on a wide range of subjects, mainly but not exclusively focused on the music of Asia and Africa.
Staff have regional interests in the music of East and Central Asia (Harris), India and Pakistan (Williams), the Islamic Middle East (Saeid Kordmafi) and Jewish world (Webster-Kogen), and South and East Africa (Impey). However research is not limited to these areas: projects have been undertaken on American jazz, and on Caribbean, Mediterranean and Eastern European music, for example. Staff often have research interests in issues that cross regional boundaries; see the Department Staff page for a summary of their interests, and select the name of a lecturer for further details of their individual research specialisms and activities.
Whatever its regional origin, music is studied as a cultural phenomenon, and also from analytical and historical perspectives. Instrumental and vocal, sacred and secular, art and popular, traditional and modern musical forms are all of equal interest. Research methods employed include fieldwork, interview, archive research, recording and filming, performance, transcription and analysis, and composition.
The Department of Music at SOAS has been ranked best in the UK for research impact and 5th overall in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. SOAS is also ranked top 20 in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2026).
Staff have regional interests in the music of East and Central Asia (Harris), India and Pakistan (Williams), the Islamic Middle East (Saeid Kordmafi) and Jewish world (Webster-Kogen), and South and East Africa (Impey). However research is not limited to these areas: projects have been undertaken on American jazz, and on Caribbean, Mediterranean and Eastern European music, for example. Staff often have research interests in issues that cross regional boundaries; see the Department Staff page for a summary of their interests, and select the name of a lecturer for further details of their individual research specialisms and activities.
Whatever its regional origin, music is studied as a cultural phenomenon, and also from analytical and historical perspectives. Instrumental and vocal, sacred and secular, art and popular, traditional and modern musical forms are all of equal interest. Research methods employed include fieldwork, interview, archive research, recording and filming, performance, transcription and analysis, and composition.
The Department of Music at SOAS has been ranked best in the UK for research impact and 5th overall in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. SOAS is also ranked top 20 in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2026).
Admission Requirements
5+
120+
6.5+
70+
Postgraduate students of the Department come from a wide variety of backgrounds in the UK and from overseas. Most are performers of music as well as researchers; applicants are evaluated individually on the basis of their background and academic achievements. Applicants should normally possess a Master’s degree, or equivalent, in Music, Ethnomusicology or other relevant discipline plus one reference. Applicants who are accomplished performers or teachers, or who work in the music industry, may have alternative qualifications, and are encouraged to apply.
4 Years
Sep
Tuition fees
Domestic
5,055 GBP
International
23,390 GBP
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