Popular Music

• You acquire a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between performance practice and relevant popular musicology.
• You are provided with insight into central concepts and theoretical issues of popular musicology.
• You develop an academic foundation in order to be able to contribute to reflection and innovation inside popular music.
• You achieve comprehensive understanding of how to accomplish research projects in the field of popular music.
• You get an overview of the different participants and organizations in the musicological environment, and and the dynamics operating between them.
• You achieve knowledge of new technologies and the possibilities and challenges they offer.
• You achieve comprehensive understanding of relevant musicological methods within artistic research, and the ability to use them independently.

The master’s programme leads to the degree of Master in Popular Music. The performance specializations qualify for creative and performative work within the cultural sector, in addition to more specialized performance based work. After completion, you have also achieved qualifications to establish your own music business.

The theoretical specialization offer relevant skills for working in music organizations, media, record companies, and copyright agencies.

A completed Master’s degree in Popular Music qualifies for PhD-level work, e.g. at the Faculty of Fine Arts, UiA. 

You can take part of the master's program in Popoular Music abroad. It is facilitated for exchange in the 3rd semester. More about exchange in Popular Music

All you need to know about exchange studies

Display entire program

The general admission requirement is a bachelor's degree or equivalent education of at least three years (180 credits). At least 20 credits in the specialization unit must be level 2.Otherwise, admission takes place in accordance with the Regulations concerning admission to study programmes and courses at the University of Agder.

Performance specializations:

Performing music, World Music and Songwriting

The admission criteria must include a specialization unit of at least 80 credits in performing music or equivalent.

Applicants must write a proposal for a project description for a master's thesis according to the guidelines laid down for the Faculty of Arts. Proposals for areas of specialization for the master's thesis must be approved by the university 5 weeks before the entrance exam is held.

Ranking of applicants takes place on the basis of the entrance exam with the following parts:

• Audition. At the audition, a score from 10 to 20 is given for passing the test. Applicants who get less than 10 points have not passed. The audition counts for 50% of the total score.
• Interview. During the interview, a score is given from 10 to 20. The interview counts for 50% of the total score. The audition must be passed in order to be admitted to an interview.

Electronic music

The admission basis must include one of the following criteria:

• Specialization unit of at least 80 credits in performing or electronic music, bachelor's degree in music technology or equivalent. At least 20 credits in the specialization unit must be level 2.
• Other relevant bachelor's programs may, after special assessment, be approved as a basis for admission.

Applicants must write an application with a proposal for a project description for a master's thesis according to the guidelines laid down for the Faculty of Arts. Proposals for areas of specialization for the master's thesis must be approved by the university 5 weeks before the entrance exam is held.

Ranking of applicants takes place on the basis of the entrance exam with the following parts:

• Audition. At the audition, a score from 10 to 20 is given for passing the test. Applicants who get less than 10 points have not passed. The audition counts for 50% of the total score.
• Interview. During the interview, a score is given from 10 to 20. The interview counts for 50% of the total score. The audition must be passed in order to be admitted to an interview.

Music business and management

The admission basis must include one of the following criteria:

• Specialization unit of at least 80 credits in performing music, music pedagogy or musicology. At least 20 credits in the specialization unit must be level 2.
• Relevant specialization unit of at least 80 credits within the culture/music/culture studies. At least 20 credits in the specialization unit must be level 2.
• Bachelor's degree in economics or equivalent
• Other relevant bachelor's programs may, after special assessment, be approved as a basis for admission.

A weighted average grade of C or better is required, calculated on the basis of the entire bachelor's degree.

See information about auditions. 

Recommended previous knowledge

The three performance-based master`s specialisations require a very high level on the principle instrument, and music science and theory pre-requisites equivalent to completion of Scientific Theory, Aesthetics and Analysis (MUR/MUK 107) from the bachelor programme in music performance at UiA. Documentation of such knowledge is a pre-requisite for admission

Application period

• Non EU/EEA international applicants: From 1 November till 15 December (both for performance and theoretical specializations).
• EU/EEA applicants: From 1 November till 15 December (performance specializations) or 1 February till 1 March (theoretical specializations).
• Nordic citizens and applicants with a permanent or renewable residence permit in Norway: From 1 November till 15 December (performance specializations) or 1 February till 15 April (theoretical specialization).

The Norwegian government has proposed the introduction of tuition fees for students from countries outside of the EU/EEA and Switzerland who will begin their studies in the autumn semester of 2023. 

Please read more about the tuition fees here.