MA Music
MA in Music is a two-year postgraduate degree program that deals with the study of music. MA in Music offers candidates to set up a career in various areas of music. Some of the jobs for graduates include performing in Bands & Orchestras, Teaching in Performance Arts Schools, Colleges and Universities, etc.
MA Music Course Details
| Degree | Masters |
| Full Form | Master of Arts in Music |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Age | No specific age limit |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% |
| Average Fees | ₹4K - 80K PA |
| Average Salary | INR 4 LPA [Source: PayScale] |
| Employment Roles | Musician, Singer/Performer, Composer, Advertising Specialist, Art Director, Artist & Repertoire Person, Band Leader, Disk Jockey, Film Music Director/Editor, Music Attorney, Music Critic etc |
| Top Recruiters | Orchestras, Music Production Companies, Music retailers, Media Organisations, Schools/Colleges, Touring companies, Travel industry companies, Charities |
About MA Music
Master of Arts in Music is a postgraduate Music course curated into two years and is divided into four semesters. Through this course, students are given a basic understanding of the theory and science behind producing a musical note. According to Wikipedia, “Music is the first graduate degree in music awarded by universities and conservatories. The course combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy.”
Table of Contents
- MA Music eligibility Criteria
- MA Music Admission Process
- Popular MA Music Entrance Exams
- Top MA Music Colleges
- Fees Structure for MA Music
- Syllabus and Subjects for MA Music
- Why Choose MA Music?
- Preparation Tips for MA Music
- Scope of Higher Education after MA Music
- MA Music Salary
- Career Options After MA Music
- Skills to Excel
Eligibility Criteria for MA Music
MA Music admission is offered to only those students who meet the eligibility requirements. The candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with a minimum 50% aggregate score in the final examination. There is no age limit for the course. The admission process can be either entrance exam-based or merit-based.
How To Get Admission in MA Music?
Students must ensure that they satisfy the eligibility criteria for MA Music in India. MA Music admission 2021 is done through entrance exam scores or on a merit basis. Admission procedures may vary across different MA Music universities in India. The course falls under the umbrella of an MA degree and therefore, follows a similar admission process.
How to Apply?
MA Music course details and procedures for admission can be found on the college's official websites. To apply for the course, visit the official university admission portal and register for the entrance exam. After that fill the application form by providing the required details.
Selection Process
Admission is strictly offered to only those students who clear the MA in Music eligibility criteria. The list of shortlisted candidates can be availed through the college’s official website or will be informed via email regarding the result and the further admission process.
Popular Entrance Exams for MA Music
Admission to the MA Music course in India is mainly through entrance examinations. Entrance exams for MA Music India are usually conducted on the university level. The most common exams that most candidates apply to are as follows:
A Quick Glance at the MA Music Entrance Exams
To get admitted, students must ensure whether they satisfy the eligibility for the MA Music course. To clear the test, students should study the exam pattern and syllabus well before time. This will assist students in timely preparation for the entrance exams. Listed below is the general pattern for the entrance exams:
- The entrance exam has multiple sections that test different parts of your knowledge like Communication, Reasoning, Current Affairs, Quantitative Skills, etc.
- The examination will be conducted through offline mode or online mode.
- The time duration to complete the paper is 2 hours.
- Paper consists of 120 multiple choice questions carrying 360 marks.
Top 10 MA Music Colleges in India
There are various institutes that offer MA Music. Students can opt for the MA Music best college depending upon their merit and specialization needed. Some of the MA Music top colleges are listed below:
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Bangalore University, Bangalore |
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Fee Structure for MA Music
MA Music fees range from INR 6,000 - 70,000 PA. The fees may vary according to the college or university based on the type of institute, location, infrastructure, faculties, and facilities available. Below listed are the MA Music fees structure of some colleges:
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Sl. No. |
Name of the Institute |
Average Annual Fees |
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Andhra University, Visakhapatnam |
INR 26,000 PA |
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Banasthali University, Jaipur |
INR 67,250 PA |
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3 |
Bangalore University, Bangalore |
INR 11,640 PA |
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Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad |
INR 6,741 PA |
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5 |
Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra |
INR 6,710 PA |
Syllabus and Subjects for MA Music
Master of Arts Music is a two-year postgraduate course in Music. MA Music course is a comprehensive study on music theory, the cultural history of music, and performance art. The subjects related to this course vary according to specializations and the institutes. The syllabus includes two theory papers and two practical papers. The compulsory subjects include:
- History and Aesthetics in Music
- Revision of Ragas and Sessional
- History of Indian Music
- Applied Theory and Musical Competitions
- General and Applied Theory
Read More About MA Music Syllabus and Subjects
Why Choose MA Music?
Students often wonder about MA Music details before choosing the course. Before deciding on a career, students come across queries like, "What is MA Music course?" and "Why choose MA Music?”. To clearly understand answers to these questions, we have framed the following three pointers:
What is MA Music All About?
Master of Arts in Music is a postgraduate degree program that deals with the study of music. The Master's course provides a roundup view of the history and origins of different kinds of music as we hear today. After completing the course, the graduates are usually hired as Teachers, Performers, Composers, Music Managers, Music Directors, Song Writers, Music Publishers, Music Therapists, etc.
What Does a MA Music Graduate Do?
The MA Music graduates can find jobs in areas like Entertainment Companies, the Music and Film Industry, Education Sector, FM Channels, Media Companies, Music Clubs, and so on. They can work as Music Professors, Assistant Researchers, Sound Engineer, Music Producer, Musician, Music Journalist, Artists Manager, etc.
Music Director: The Music Director creates and directs music streams and background scores for an entire Film, for Live Performances, for the Orchestra and Bands, etc. The earning often depends on the commercial success of the Film, Live Performances, Orchestra, and Bands.
Reasons Why MA Music Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?
Career prospects for a MA in Music greatly vary. It depends on the respective specialization and demand. Candidates also make use of the general education provided in the degree to get a job in Government, University Administration, or in the Non-Profit or Arts Administration Sector.
Career Scope and Options: The graduates can work in Bands, Orchestras, Film and Music Studios, Performance Arts Centres, Schools, Colleges and Universities, etc. They can work as a private Music Teacher in a Music Learning Institution. There are also jobs in several Media Organizations, Studios, Music Companies, and Advertising Agencies, etc.
Read More: MA Music Job Opportunities & Scope
Preparation Tips for MA Music
Some of the course preparation tips for the MA Music course is listed below:
Know The Syllabus And Exam Pattern: To prepare well for the entrance exams the candidates should be aware of the syllabus, exam pattern, and the books to equip the knowledge required.
Practice Question Papers: Practice solving previous years’ papers to understand the type of questions asked. It also helps to improve and prepare yourself for the actual exam.
Take Mock Tests: Solving as many mock tests can help you gain speed and accuracy.
Prepare Time Table: Finish preparation well in advance, to have enough time for revision of the content.
Scope For Higher Education
After completion of MA Music, the candidates can choose to take up jobs or can continue with their higher studies. An additional degree in the same field improves job opportunities. The graduates can specialize in specific areas like instrumental, Music Therapy, etc. Some higher education options are:
- M.Phil Music
- PhD Music
- MBA
- PG Diploma
Salary of a MA Music Graduate
The average salary of a MA Music graduate ranges from INR 6,500 - INR 18,000 per month and increases with time and experience. The minimum salary of an employee with a degree in Master of Art Music is 2.5 - 6.2 LPA (Source: PayScale) for freshers. The salaries and annual earnings depend on the specific kind of music, the methods of practice, expertise, and other related aspects.
Read More About MA Music Salary
Career Options After MA Music
After completion of the course, the graduates can find jobs in areas like Entertainment Companies, Education Sector, Media Companies, etc. The graduates can even apply for the UGC-NET or JRF exam. Clearing these exams makes a career in teaching or research. Some job roles offered to graduates are:
- Advertising Specialist
- Art Director
- Band Leader
- Disc Jockey
- Music Attorney
- Music Critic
Skills That Make You The Best MA Music Graduate
There are people who are passionate about music and who want to take up music professionally in the future. MA Music is wide-ranging and deep in the subjects it explores and is sure to catch the fancy of all music lovers. Some required skills are:
- Analytical Skill
- Critical Thinking Skill
- Communication Skill
- Presentation Skill
