Art and Design

Master of Arts in Music

The Master of Arts in Music is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced study of music theory, performance, composition, ethnomusicology, and music education. The programme trains graduates for careers in music performance, education, research, composition, and the music industry.

Core areas include music theory, performance, composition, ethnomusicology, African music, music education, music technology, and research methods. Students engage with both Western and African music traditions and practical performance skills.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University and Maseno University. KU offers MA in Ethnomusicology and African Music through its Department of Music and Dance, the oldest university music department in Kenya. Maseno offers MA in Music with specialisations in performance, ethnomusicology, and music education.

Students develop competencies in music performance, composition, ethnomusicological research, music education, music technology, and African music studies. The programme includes coursework, performance recitals, examinations, research project or thesis, and oral defence.

KU charges KES 216,000/year for the programme. Maseno fees are estimated at KES 140,000-160,000/year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in Music or related field with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division.

Graduates pursue careers as music educators, performers, composers, ethnomusicologists, music producers, and arts administrators in schools, universities, media, cultural organisations, and the music industry.

Skills Required

Music Performance and Technique
Music Theory and Analysis
Composition and Arrangement
Ethnomusicological Research
African Music Studies
Music Education and Pedagogy
Music Technology and Production
Research Methods in Music
Conducting and Ensemble Direction
Music Criticism and Journalism

Key Subjects

Music Theory and Analysis
Performance and Technique
Composition and Arrangement
Ethnomusicology
African Music
Music Education and Pedagogy
Music Technology
Research Methods in Music
Conducting and Ensemble Direction
Music History and Criticism

Certifications

ISME Music Education Certification
ICTM Ethnomusicology Certification

Specializations

Ethnomusicology

Focuses on ethnomusicology, African music, world music, field methods, and studying music as cultural phenomenon across societies.

Performance

Examines music performance, technique, repertoire, recital, and developing advanced performance skills on instruments or voice.

Composition

Covers composition, arrangement, orchestration, songwriting, and creating original music across genres and styles.

Music Education

Focuses on music education, pedagogy, curriculum, teaching methods, and teaching music in schools and institutions.

African Music

Examines African music, traditional music, contemporary African music, instruments, and understanding and performing African music traditions.

Music Technology

Covers music technology, production, recording, digital music, and using technology for music creation and production.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 216,000
Private, up to: Ksh 247,400
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Music Theory and Analysis
Performance and Technique
Composition and Arrangement
Ethnomusicology
African Music
Music Education and Pedagogy
Music Technology
Research Methods in Music
Conducting and Ensemble Direction
Music History and Criticism

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Music Theory and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines advanced music theory, harmony, counterpoint, form, analysis, and understanding music through advanced theory.
Ethnomusicology: Theory and Method
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers ethnomusicology, theory, field methods, transcription, notation, and studying music as cultural phenomenon across societies.
African Music Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines African music, traditional music, contemporary African music, instruments, genres, and understanding and performing African music traditions.
Research Methods in Music
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers music research methods, design, field methods, data collection, analysis, and conducting research in music, preparing students for their thesis.
Advanced Performance and Technique
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines performance, technique, repertoire, interpretation, recital preparation, and developing advanced performance skills on instruments or voice.
Composition and Arrangement
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers composition, arrangement, orchestration, songwriting, and creating original music across genres and styles.
Music Education and Pedagogy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines music education, pedagogy, curriculum, teaching methods, assessment, and teaching music in schools and institutions.
Music Technology and Production
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers music technology, production, recording, digital music, software, DAW, and using technology for music creation and production.
Conducting and Ensemble Direction
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines conducting, ensemble direction, rehearsal techniques, choir, band, orchestra, and directing and conducting music ensembles.
Music History and Criticism
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers music history, criticism, historiography, Western and African music history, and understanding and writing about music history.
World Music and Cross-Cultural Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines world music, cross-cultural music studies, globalisation, fusion, and understanding music across cultures and traditions.
Performance Recital and Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 28 creditsCore
Performance recital demonstrating advanced performance skills plus original research thesis on a music topic, assessed through performance, written submission, and oral defence.

Specialisations

Ethnomusicology
Focuses on ethnomusicology, African music, world music, field methods, and studying music as cultural phenomenon across societies.
Performance
Examines music performance, technique, repertoire, recital, and developing advanced performance skills on instruments or voice.
Composition
Covers composition, arrangement, orchestration, songwriting, and creating original music across genres and styles.
Music Education
Focuses on music education, pedagogy, curriculum, teaching methods, and teaching music in schools and institutions.
African Music
Examines African music, traditional music, contemporary African music, instruments, and understanding and performing African music traditions.
Music Technology
Covers music technology, production, recording, digital music, and using technology for music creation and production.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MA Music programme begins with morning lectures on music theory, ethnomusicology, or performance. Students engage with both Western and African music traditions and practical performance skills. Music theory sessions cover advanced theory, analysis, harmony, counterpoint, form, and understanding music through theory. Performance sessions cover technique, repertoire, interpretation, recital preparation, and developing advanced performance skills on instruments or voice. Composition sessions cover composition, arrangement, orchestration, songwriting, and creating original music. Ethnomusicology sessions examine African music, world music, field methods, transcription, and studying music as cultural phenomenon. Music education sessions cover pedagogy, curriculum, teaching methods, and teaching music in schools and institutions. Music technology sessions cover production, recording, digital music, software, and using technology for music creation. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering music research methods, field methods, and data analysis. Performance recitals provide opportunities to demonstrate performance skills. Ensemble sessions provide opportunities for group performance, conducting, and ensemble direction. Guest lectures from visiting musicians, ethnomusicologists, composers, and international music scholars provide real-world insights. The programme culminates in a recital and research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

KU's Department of Music and Dance is the oldest and premier university music department in Kenya with world-class faculty.
Programme covers both Western and African music traditions, providing comprehensive musical education.
Career opportunities in education, performance, composition, research, production, and arts administration.
Programme provides versatile music skills applicable across education, media, cultural organisations, and the music industry.

Against it

Music is a niche field with limited direct career positions in Kenya.
Maseno fee structure for this exact programme not independently verified.
Music careers often require significant talent, networking, and entrepreneurship beyond academic qualifications.
Academic and research positions are competitive and may require doctoral qualifications.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 73 art and design courses

Public140k to 216k

140k at Maseno University216k at Kenyatta University

Private161k to 247k

161k at KCA University247k at Daystar University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 216K/yr(mawese).Maseno unverified.Priv:Daystar~247K/yr(daystar.ac.ke)

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. ISME supports music education globally. ICTM supports ethnomusicology research. The programme's music and ethnomusicology focus attracts ISME, ICTM, and arts funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
ISME Music Education Funding
ICTM Research Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate music studies at recognised universities.
ISME Music Education Funding
FellowshipKsh 250,000
ISME supports music education globally, providing fellowships for postgraduate study in music education.
ICTM Research Funding
GrantKsh 250,000
ICTM supports ethnomusicology research globally, providing grants for postgraduate study and field research in ethnomusicology.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from music, music education, performing arts, and related fields. KU offers full-time mode at Main and City campuses. Maseno offers full-time and part-time modes. Two-year programme with performance recital and research thesis.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework essays, analysis papers, composition portfolios, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Performance Recital
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of performance recital, including technique, repertoire, interpretation, stage presence, and performance skills demonstration.
Written Examinations
Examination20% of the mark
Written examinations covering music theory, ethnomusicology, history, and research methods, conducted at end of each semester.
Research Thesis
Research20% of the mark
Original research thesis on a music topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University offers MA in Ethnomusicology and African Music through its Department of Music and Dance. Maseno University offers MA in Music with specialisations in performance, ethnomusicology, and music education. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate music training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. KU offers MA in Ethnomusicology and African Music through its Department of Music and Dance. Maseno offers MA in Music. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate music training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Music Educator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches music in schools and universities, overseeing music education, curriculum, ensembles, and training future musicians and music educators.
Professional Performer
Low demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 500,000
Performs music professionally, overseeing repertoire, performances, recordings, and supporting the music industry and cultural life.
Composer and Arranger
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 450,000
Composes and arranges music, overseeing original compositions, arrangements, scores, and supporting music creation for media, film, and performance.
Ethnomusicologist
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts ethnomusicological research, overseeing field research, documentation, analysis, and supporting African music research and preservation.
Music Producer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 550,000
Produces music, overseeing recording, production, mixing, and supporting music creation and the music industry.
Arts Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages arts organisations, overseeing programmes, events, festivals, and supporting arts and cultural development.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as music educators, performers, composers, ethnomusicologists, and music producers in schools, universities, media, and the music industry.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Sibelius
SoftwarePrimary
Music notation software for composition, scoring, arranging, and creating and editing musical scores.
Logic Pro
Software
Digital audio workstation for music production, recording, mixing, and creating and producing music.
Ableton Live
Software
Digital audio workstation for music production, performance, composition, and creating and performing music.
Transcribe!
Software
Music transcription software for ethnomusicology, field recordings, transcription, and analysing and transcribing music.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Music is just about singing and playing instruments.
Music at master's level involves rigorous theory, research, analysis, composition, ethnomusicology, and academic study, far beyond performance.
A music degree only leads to performing.
The programme opens careers in education, research, composition, production, arts administration, and the music industry.
There is no demand for music graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's growing music industry, education sector, cultural tourism, and media create opportunities for qualified music professionals.
Music is not a rigorous academic discipline.
Music involves rigorous theory, analysis, research methods, and scholarly writing comparable to other academic disciplines.
A master's in music is redundant after a BMus.
The master's provides advanced specialisation, research capability, and career progression to senior academic and professional positions.
Music is only for the talented.
While talent helps, music study involves learnable skills, theory, discipline, and academic rigour that go beyond natural talent.