Research degrees in music
Research at York embraces scholarship, creative practice, technology and empirical studies. You'll have the time and space to develop your own distinctive approach to your research project.
Why study at York?
From music technology to preserving musical history, York is making an impact on an international level. Our research projects have direct effects on the world around us, such as our empowering project SMILE, addressing the equality gap in music provision for children, or our work on documenting South African Jazz cultures.
We regularly engage with the public through our seminar series and performance-based research. Study with us and join a thriving academic environment that also benefits from the broader musical activities at York. Collaborate with other musicians, students from different disciplines across the University, and other institutions internationally.
Our courses
Masters courses
Doctoral study
Or search all postgraduate research courses.
Visiting researchers
Spend part of your research degree at York as a visiting research student.

York is a UNESCO city of Media Arts
From digital innovation to media arts, York is a creative hub for innovation and ideas. York has long been and still is a meeting point for the ideas and creativity of the world. It is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
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What York does extremely well is offer the resources, teaching and time for students to experiment, discover their voice, and find a niche: something rather important in a climate where just being an excellent violinist/pianist/soprano just won't cut it.
Kerry Andrew, PhD Composition. Read more about Kerry.
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Facilities
You'll benefit from use of the Arthur Sykes Rymer Auditorium, one of the finest listening spaces for reproduced sound in the UK. Designed for electroacoustic performance, the fully soundproofed Rymer features a completely neutral acoustic.
You'll also have access to five recording studios, as well as multiple practice facilities.
The Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall has a unique hexagonal shape, creating an ideal acoustic environment for instrumental and vocal performance. As well as a pipe organ, our main concert hall features two Steinway grand pianos, a chamber organ and a full complement of percussion.
Careers
To showcase our research and enhance collaboration, we hold a regular series of seminars including papers by visiting speakers, as well as talks by University of York staff. There are also opportunities for current research students to present their research, giving you a chance to build your confidence and forge industry links.
Our graduates
Our graduates are working in a wide range of sectors, from business to performance. They've gone on to be broadcasters, sound designers, academics and teachers, performers and arts managers.
- Discover the career choices of alumni from our School - browse graduate profiles
