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With great music venues, culture, shopping, and parks - we've got it all. Leeds city centre has been named one of the Best Places to Live in the UK*.
*The Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide, 2026
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LS1 3HE
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Postgraduate MA
Popular Music and Culture
Explore popular music, culture and the music industry, from identity, fandom and digital cultures to music scenes, heritage and global industries.
Course overview
-
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
1 Year -
20 Sep 2027
Popular music beyond the performance
Popular music is more than the music we listen to. It shapes identities, communities and social movements; drives global creative industries; and reflects the cultural and technological changes taking place around us. On this MA Popular Music and Culture course, you’ll explore popular music from cultural, social, historical, and industry perspectives, developing the specialist knowledge and research skills to understand how music is made, circulated, experienced, and given meaning.
Studying in the UK – one of the world’s leading music-exporting nations – and in Leeds, a city with a rich and diverse musical heritage, you’ll investigate subjects ranging from music scenes, identity and fandom to digital cultures, music heritage and the global music industry.
On this master’s course, you’ll:
- Explore popular music scenes, histories, audiences, and industries while developing advanced research and critical skills
- Examine how popular music is created, performed, circulated, consumed, remembered, and understood across different social and cultural contexts
- Use approaches including ethnography and cultural and musical analysis to develop your own specialist research interests
- Collaborate and exchange ideas with musicians, producers, composers and researchers across Leeds School of Arts
- Develop an independent research project that enables you to explore an area of popular music that matters to you
From legendary venues and independent record labels to grassroots music communities and internationally recognised festivals, Leeds provides a living environment for studying popular music and its place in contemporary culture.
Study popular music in a major UK music city
Leeds has a rich musical history and a thriving contemporary music and cultural sector. Studying here gives you opportunities to encounter the venues, organisations, artists, and communities that make popular music happen, connecting your studies to the wider cultural and creative industries.
Through guest lectures, industry events, and the university’s relationships with regional and national music, arts and festival organisations, you’ll hear from artists, producers, researchers, and industry professionals.
Explore music, culture, and society
Popular music offers a powerful way to understand contemporary culture. You’ll explore local and global music scenes, music heritage, identity and representation, fandom, technology, and the changing relationships between artists, audiences, and the music industry.
You’ll become part of a postgraduate community bringing together perspectives from music, journalism, sociology, cultural studies, and the creative industries.
Through independent research, you’ll investigate the music, communities, industries, or questions that interest you most, developing expertise to support academic research or careers across the music, arts, and creative sectors.
Learn from active researchers and practitioners
You’ll be taught by researchers and practitioners whose expertise spans popular music studies, recording and production, live performance, Latin music, flamenco, and transnational music cultures.
Their research and professional practice inform your learning, helping you engage with contemporary debates and real-world issues in popular music while developing advanced analytical, critical, communication, and research skills.
Connect with music and the creative industries
Your studies will extend beyond the classroom through guest lectures, industry events, and connections with music, arts, and cultural organisations. These experiences will help you understand the roles, practices, and organisations that make up today’s music and creative industries while building your professional awareness and networks.
Previous speakers have included musician and sound designer Suzanne Ciani, multimedia artist and author Paul D Miller (DJ Spooky), and production and tour manager Simon Green (Wu-Tang Clan). Their insights have provided first-hand perspectives on creative practice, music production, and careers across the international music industry.
Why study the MA Popular Music and Culture course at Leeds Beckett University?
- Study popular music from multiple perspectives – explore music, culture, society and the music industry, from identity and fandom to heritage, technology and global music scenes
- Make Leeds your research environment – study in a city with a rich musical heritage, thriving live music culture, and extensive creative and cultural networks
- Develop your own specialist interests – use independent research to investigate the artists, scenes, communities, industries, and cultural questions that matter to you
- Learn in collaborative creative community – exchange ideas with researchers, musicians, producers, composers, and other creative practitioners across Leeds School of Arts
- Build advanced and transferable skills – develop expertise in research, analysis, communication, and critical thinking for careers across music and the creative and cultural industries
Leeds School of Arts ‘When I feel like I’m sinking’ is a poem to mark the opening of the Leeds School of Arts building at Leeds Beckett University. Recited by the poet and Leeds Beckett graduate, Zodwa Nyoni, this short film showcases the creative work produced by our Performing Arts, Music and Sound, Filmmaking, and Creative Technologies students and graduates.
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree in the cognate subject of Music, or at least a second class honours degree in a non-cognate subject supported by evidence of an aptitude for the subject applied for, or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
You should include reference to the following areas in your supporting statement:
- Why you want to study on the MA Popular Music and Culture at Leeds Beckett University
- What popular music inspires you to want to work in the music industries and why
- Talk about a recent example that shows how passionate you are about popular music and how it relates to aspects of culture
- Talk about a book or article you have recently read that gave you a real insight into popular music history and culture
All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; you can download our reference template for completion.
All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements.
Entry requirements
Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree in the cognate subject of Music, or at least a second class honours degree in a non-cognate subject supported by evidence of an aptitude for the subject applied for, or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
You should include reference to the following areas in your supporting statement:
- Why you want to study on the MA Popular Music and Culture at Leeds Beckett University
- What popular music inspires you to want to work in the music industries and why
- Talk about a recent example that shows how passionate you are about popular music and how it relates to aspects of culture
- Talk about a book or article you have recently read that gave you a real insight into popular music history and culture
All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; you can download our reference template for completion.
All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements.
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Modules, teaching and learning
What you'll learn
Gain an understanding of the debates about cultural value and develop an understanding of how popular music heritage has been defined by various agents. You will critically examine how popular music heritage has been represented, mobilized and interpreted.
Develop a range of theoretical perspectives drawing on contemporary research into the ecology of the music industries and how different stakeholders across the music sector work together.
Develop an awareness of the methods and skills required in order to carry out successful research at Masters Level. You will identify a field of study that is pertinent to your award and practice, and you will explore appropriate research methods whilst expressing concepts and hypotheses critically and in the light of evidence.
Examine performance, record production, video and reception and the meaning of music for your small scale, individual research project which focuses on the analysis of popular music artefacts.
Develop high-level skills in your particular field of study, with the aim of enhancing both your knowledge and employability. Working with your tutor, you will identify an appropriate project, undertake a self-directed piece of work, and put forward an evaluative framework under which the work can be assessed.
Investigate a host of contemporary issues affecting the practice of operating in the music industries, focusing on one key area determined by your own interests.
Combine your learning into a significant piece of work, the nature of which will be determined by yourself and the course team.
Fees and funding
£10,710
UK
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2027/28 is £10710. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
£18,995
International 2027
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2027/28 is £18995. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Fees and funding
£10,710
For students entering in 2027
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2027/28 is £10710. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
£18,995
For students entering in 2027
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2027/28 is £18995. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Funding support for your studies
Discover more about our range of postgraduate funding options including a Master's Loan of up to £13,206, and our 20% alumni discount*
*Terms apply
The MA in Popular Music & Culture is a fantastic opportunity to develop your knowledge of popular music (in its broadest sense). It allows you to research your own interests and passions using the analytical skills and approaches taught on the course.
Professor Sue Miller
Professor
Career prospects
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
Career Prospects
The UK music industry supports more than 220,000 jobs and contributes around £8 billion to the economy*. Behind its artists and recordings is a diverse professional ecosystem spanning music businesses, festivals and events, media and communications, cultural organisations, heritage, research, and the wider creative industries.
This course will develop your specialist knowledge of popular music alongside advanced skills in research, analysis, critical thinking and communication. You’ll investigate complex cultural and industry questions, work independently with a range of sources and research methods, and communicate your findings to different audiences.
These skills can support careers in areas including:
- Music and cultural research
- Music journalism and media
- Arts and cultural production
- Festivals, events, and live music
- Music marketing, PR, and communications
- Music heritage, archives, and museums
- Music industry and cultural organisations
- Creative and cultural project management
- Research and consultancy
- Higher education and doctoral research
You may also use your MA to deepen the critical and research dimensions of an existing career in music, performance, production, or the creative industries.
*This is Music 2025
Having been involved in both the creative and technical sides of the music industries for most of my life, this course has enabled the further development of my existing skills and has given me exposure to new concepts that will be invaluable for my future professional, artistic, and academic work. Overall, the MA Popular Music & Culture course has expanded my knowledge in broad fields of popular music studies and allowed me to focus on projects and research in specific areas of my choice.
Simon Henley
MA Popular Music & Culture
Professor Sue Miller
Professor / Leeds School of Arts
Professor Sue Miller is a leading scholar in Cuban and Latin music studies, performance practice, improvisation and music analysis. She is Course Leader for the MA in Popular Music and Culture and teaches on the BA Performance and Production course.
Dr Paul Thompson
Reader / Leeds School of Arts
Paul Thompson is a musician, recording engineer, educator and researcher in Leeds School of Arts at Leeds Beckett University where he is programme leader for MA Music Production. Paul is the author of Creativity in the Recording Studio: Alternative Takes (2019), co-author of Paul McCartney and His Creative Practice: The Beatles and Beyond (2021) and co-editor of Popular Music in Leeds: History, Heritage, People and Places (2023) and Music Production Pedagogy: Perspectives on Innovation in Music Production Education (2025). Paul has worked as a professional recording engineer, producer, community musician, music researcher and educator for nearly 20 years. As a recording engineer and producer, he began working with local Merseyside bands and has gone on to work with international artists including Stereo Mike, Marcus Bonfanti, The Medieval Baebes, Ian Prowse, PP Arnold, Eddy Zervigón, Utah Saints and The Wedding Present.
Beckett Careers Team
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Your postgraduate degree will boost your CV and help you stand out from the crowd. Whether you're just starting out on your chosen career path, changing careers or moving to the next level, we can provide you with expert advice and resources to help you take the next steps to achieving your goals.
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