Online learning

The Department of Music was first to pioneer postgraduate online music courses in the UK. It offers an excellent range of part-time distance learning options that you can complete online, at home, when it suits you.

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Our online learning programmes are taught by academic staff that also deliver campus based programmes, as well as by distance learning specialists, and no distinction is made in terms of certification between a campus based or online learning award. 

Postgraduate taught

Music Psychology in Education, Performance and Wellbeing MA

  • August 2025 start
  • 2 years Part-time Distance learning Online learning

Learn about psychological research on musical experiences on this distance-learning course, including learning, teaching, practicing, performing, listening and using music to enhance well-being.

  • Funding available
Postgraduate taught

Transcultural and Traditional Music Studies MA

  • August 2025 start
  • 2 years Part-time Distance learning Online learning

Through a series of part-time online modules, you'll encounter theories and methods from ethnomusicology, folklore, and cultural studies music education that will help you understand the sounds, people, and motivations driving music making and transmission in a variety of traditions. This course is intended for musicians, educators and other enthusiasts who want to know more about music in its social and cultural context.

  • Funding available

Distance Learning FAQ

View answers to our frequently asked questions. 

Student experience

Our online learning courses are designed to allow you to study exciting subjects from anywhere in the world.

Meet Vanessa, a student on the MA Psychology for Musicians* (Distance Learning). Vanessa chose this distance learning masters because it gives her the freedom to work full-time while furthering her education. Watch the video to hear more about her experience at Sheffield.

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* MA Psychology for Musicians has been renamed as MA Music Psychology in Education, Performance and Wellbeing.

News 

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Encouraging positive change through music psychology

Natasha Hendry Department of Music, Alumni

Alumni student, Natasha Hendry, is a music psychologist, researcher and social activist. She is a popular speaker and advisor for mental health in the music industry and Black lives in music. Learn about how returning to education with the Department of Music changed the course of her career.

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Charles Bryars Organ Scholarship winner

Carol Ditner-Wilson PGT Student

Carol studied on the MA in Transcultural and Traditional Music studies from 2021 - 2023 and was awarded the Charles Bryars Organ Scholarship to support her with her studies.

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Studying Transcultural and Traditional Music Studies

Alexandre Hurr Distance Learning

Alexandre studies on the part-time masters course, pursuing his interest of traditional and world music. The distance learning option gives him the opportunity to study at a time that suits him, making the course accessible alongside his other commitments.

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Music Alumni wins culture and creativity award

Marie-Christinne Clarisse MA in Transcultural and Traditional Music Studies

Marie-Christinne studied on the MA in Traditional and World Music course in 2014 and has since been awarded the Study UK Alumni Award 2022 in the 'Culture and Creativity' category. This outstanding achievement recognises Marie-Cristinne's work of music and art in education and social work in Mauritius.

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My Experience: Studying Traditional and World Music

Karen Tsao MA Traditional and World Music

Karen studied on the Traditional and World Music distance learning course, graduating in 2018, and is now undertaking a project on Brazilian Choros which evolved from her dissertation project during the programme.

New fees and funding opportunities

For 2021 entry, the department has confirmed three scholarships specifically related to music study. We also have positive news for international students taking the distance learning programme.
Staff playing world music instrument in music library

First online publication on new 'Global Notation' system

Dr Andrew Killick from the Department of Music has created a new Global Notation system for Cross-Cultural and Comparative Music Analysis; providing a useful tool to compare music from more than one tradition or notation system.
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My Experience: Studying by distance learning

Kate Wareham MA Music in Education, performance and wellbeing

Kate studied on the Music Education distance learning course, graduating in 2017. She is now working towards a PhD and hoping to combine her academic research and previous professional activities within the charity sector. Read more about her thoughts on studying by distance learning...

Register your interest

Interested in studying at the University of Sheffield? We'd love to keep you informed about our events for prospective students and information about what studying here is like.

Register here

For information on Remote Location options for PhD study please see the following page.

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