PhD Music is a research-intensive doctoral course that is completed in a range of 3-6 years. The minimum duration to complete a PhD Music program is 3 years; however, it can be extended up to 6 years depending on the research progress. The research area of the course majorly focuses on music theory, ethnomusicology, and music technology.
Candidates with 55% marks in postgraduation can apply for the Doctor of Philosophy in Music. Admission to the course is based on merit or entrance exams like UGC-NET, GATE, etc. Universities such as Central University of Karnataka, Sikkim University, and Eternal University offer a PhD in Music in their programs.
The students, after completing the course, can explore various roles in different industries, such as academia, research, music therapy, and the entertainment industry. Some job roles that the professional can pursue include Music Professor, Music Director, Sound Engineer, Musicologist, and Cultural Program Coordinator. The PhD Music average package for freshers ranges between INR 3.5 LPA and INR 8 LPA.
- PhD in Music Course Highlights
- What is a PhD in Music?
- Why Study PhD in Music?
- Who Should Study PhD in Music?
- PhD in Music Eligibility
- PhD in Music Entrance Exam
- PhD in Music Colleges
- PhD in Music Admission Process
- PhD in Music Syllabus
- PhD in Music Jobs
- PhD in Music Future Prospects
- PhD in Music Vs PhD Fine Arts
- PhD in Music FAQs
PhD in Music Course Highlights
The table below shows the PhD Music course highlights:
What is a PhD in Music?
A PhD in Music is a professional course that primarily focuses on the study of music, its history, performance, and composition.
- The curriculum structure of the course majorly focuses on subjects such as ethnomusicology, music theory, music technology, musicology, composition, and performance practice.
- Aspirants pursuing this course gain a deep understanding of the cultural and technical aspects of music.
- The professionals are in high demand because of their importance in
- analysing musical traditions and integrating music with modern technologies.
- The graduates have adequate theoretical and practical knowledge that helps them work as university professors, researchers, composers, and performers.
Why Study PhD in Music?
A PhD in Music opens diverse career options for candidates. The professionals can explore careers in music production, music research, performance, various cultural institutions, etc. A few reasons are listed below:
- The professionals have the opportunity to work in reputed organisations like Saregama India Limited, Sony Music Entertainment India Pvt Ltd, Star India Private Limited, etc.
- It helps the candidates enhance their skills in music composition, ethnomusicology, and musicology, which enables them to contribute to the study of music in different genres.
- It opens new horizons of progressive studies, allows supporting and developing the traditions of music, and enriches teaching and music educator leadership.
- Completing a Music PhD allows an individual to attain the professional status of expert in the field to be able to impact the culture of music, music education, and music scholarship and enter careers in academia, music therapy, arts administration or high level performance.
Who Should Study PhD in Music?
PhD in Music is most applicable to the individuals highly interested in music not only in performing but also in music teachers, researchers, composers, and scholars who aim at bringing new knowledge into the field.
- Most of those who want to study in higher education and become university professors and researchers tend to follow it.
- It is also suitable when an individual wishes to discover some interdisciplinary links between music and other disciplines such as psychology, technology, or cultural studies.
- The doctorate in music would most benefit students interested in innovating in the field of music education, preservation or therapy.
- The postgraduates or graduates, who completed BA Music and MA Music.
PhD in Music Eligibility
PhD Music eligibility criteria can vary for different institutions. Aspirants with a graduate degree are eligible for the Doctor of Philosophy in Music. The eligibility criteria at Eternal University are mentioned below:
- Candidates must have completed an MA in Music or equivalent
- A minimum of 55% marks in aggregate.
PhD in Music Entrance Exam
The table below shows the Music PhD entrance exam that is accepted for admission to the course:
PhD in Music Colleges
The table below shows the list of Music PhD colleges along with their annual course fee:
PhD in Music Admission Process
PhD Music admission is merit/entrance-based. The admission is mostly the same for all institutions; however, the admission process of Annamalai University is mentioned below:
Step 1: Visit the official website of Annamalai University and head to the registration page.
Step 2: The candidates are required to register themselves.
Step 3: Now, fill in the details required in the admission process and pay the application fee to submit the form.
Step 4: Now, the candidates have to appear for the entrance exam conducted by the university.
Step 5: Once the result is declared, the university will release the cut-off and merit list of the selected candidates.
Step 6: The selected candidates will be called for the verification process.
PhD in Music Syllabus
The PhD Music syllabus is similar across the colleges in India. However, the syllabus at Sikkim University is mentioned below:
PhD in Music Jobs
After completing the Doctor of Philosophy in Music, graduates can explore a variety of job prospects such as Music Researcher, Sound Engineer, Music Producer, and much more. Some of the Music PhD job roles, along with the average package, are mentioned below:
PhD in Music Future Prospects
Candidates have diverse job opportunities in academia and music research. A Doctor of Philosophy in Music graduate can work as a university professor, music researcher, composer, or music therapist. The options that the candidates can follow are mentioned below:
- Entrepreneurship: The professionals can begin their entrepreneurial journey by establishing their composition studios or music production companies.
- Short-term Courses: The graduates can pursue online courses in Music Technology, Music Production, or Music Therapy.
- Higher Education: After a PhD in Music, candidates can pursue a postdoctoral fellowship to continue their academic journey.
PhD in Music Vs PhD Fine Arts
PhD in Music usually involves a blend of academic research and creative musical expression, while PhD in Fine Arts focuses heavily on original artistic creation alongside scholarly inquiry.
PhD in Music FAQs
Can I pursue a PhD in Music from IGNOU?
Yes, IGNOU offers this course with a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years. Interested candidates can apply online through the official website. Candidates must have completed their master's degree in a relevant field to apply for the course.
What is a PhD Music Therapy?
A PhD Music Therapy is a doctoral-level research program that focuses on the therapeutic applications of music. The program combines advanced music theory, clinical research, and neuroscience to find out ways in which music can be used as a healing tool for individuals.
What is the PhD Music starting salary in Germany?
The starting salary of an individual with a PhD in Music depends on the job profile and employment contract. However, the annual average salary can range from €34,200 and €71,400.
What are the benefits of PhD in music?
There are a lot of advantages of undertaking a PhD in music, one of them being deepening your interest and academic proficiency in any particular field which can be in music theory, history or education. It qualifies you to do high-level research, whereby you can add original ideas and new knowledge instilled in the domain of music. It also develops critical, analytical skills and academic writing.
How many years is a PhD in Music?
PhD in Music also lasts 3 to 5 years on average depending on the country, on the university and the speed of the student doing the research. The course would normally comprise coursework, comprehensive examinations, and a research-informed original dissertation or thesis. Minimum length of program could be 3 years with maximum limit that could reach to 5 years and above to cater the most crucial time of research and writing.
What are the PhD Music jobs in the education sector?
With a PhD in music, one has a wide array of employment openings university professor, lecturer and a researcher in the field that interests him or her music theory, musicology, ethnomusicology or music education. They can as well be curriculum developers or educational consultants within music institutions or conservatories.
Does any foreign university offer a PhD Music Technology?
Many foreign universities offer a PhD Music Technology. Candidates interested in pursuing a PhD Music Technology can check the University of York, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Sussex, and McGill University.
