What is MA Music: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Salary & Scope

The MA Music course is a postgraduate degree. It is a 2-year course in Music where students study the influential works that have been composed around the world. Students focus on the Indian musical forms and learn about the technicalities of music and what makes it appealing to the masses and gives it commercial value.

Master of Arts in Music is a postgraduate course which is extremely beneficial for those who wish to upgrade their skills in the field of music and can themselves become music teachers. This course provides scientific knowledge in the field of Carnatic music, implementing creativity in the practice of Carnatic and Hindustani Music and to implement the skills for one's professional development. After completing this course, candidates can become lecturers or professors in the field of Music and work in renowned colleges.

Joining the best Music colleges in India can be worthwhile for you. For that, you need to check its ROI. Listed below are some colleges along with their tuiton fees and average placement package:

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

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Their is no age limit prescribed as such to pursue an MA Music course. Candidates who complete their graduation in a relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 45% from a recognised university are considered eligible for enrolling into MA Music programs.

Candidates who wish to enrol into MA Music programs must note the fact that MA Music admission is both merit and entrance based. The most common entrance exam for admission to MA Music courses is CUET PG. Those who clear the cutoff scores of the CUET PG entrance exam can easily secure a seat into MA Music program.

CUET PG Good Score will also enable candidates to strategically allocate time and resources for different subjects based on their difficulty level and weightage. Many of the top NIRF Ranking institutes like JNU, University of Delhi, BHU, TISS, and Central University of Hyderabad will require a score higher than the average score in CUET PG, due to the high competition level for these universities. On average 180-195 will be considered to be a good score in CUET PG 2025 exam. 

• General- 180-190
• OBC- 170-180
• SC/ST- 155-170

Yes, continuing to pursue education along with a job can be a great decision for many people, depending on their career aspirations and situation. While a regular, full-time degree has its own perks, especially in Music which is a performance-based art, it may not be suitable for everyone. Many students choose to pursue an online, distance/correspondence degree along with a part-time/full-time job. Students who are interested in distance/correspondence degrees can refer to some options in the table below:

There are several reasons why a candidate should choose to pursue an MA in Music. Some of these reasons are:

• Students should pursue a master's in music if they have a real passion for the subject. Many people who study for a master's in music build careers as music directors, composers, and high school music teachers. 

• Studying for a Master of Arts (MA) in Music can be a fantastic choice for several reasons. MA Music courses allow students to build their understanding of music beyond the basics, where they can explore various aspects of music, such as theory, history, and performance, giving them a deeper perspective on the art form.

• A student who is passionate about composing, performing, music education, or musicology, should choose an MA Music programme that lets them focus on their interests. This specialised knowledge can open doors to new career opportunities or enhance a student's existing skills.

• Another advantage of an MA Music course, is the chance to work closely with experienced teachers and industry professionals. This networking can be invaluable, as it often leads to connections that might help students, later in their career. Additionally, the students will likely collaborate with fellow students who share their passion, leading to new friendships, collaborations, and professional relationships.

Overall, pursuing an MA in Music is not just about mastering the craft. It allows the student to explore their interests in a more focused and advanced way. It helps them grow as artists and opens up various career paths, making it a worthwhile investment for their careers.

MA Music courses in India educate the students about a vast range of subjects in Music. They cover the general history of music in India, the different musical forms, folk music. They also educate students about music forms around the world and the history behind them. 

MA Music syllabus is comprehensive and includes the study of musical structures and technicalities. Students will learn about music in a holistic way, with a focus on theory, performance as well as the history and background of Music if they choose to pursue an MA Music degree.

Since MA Music is a post graduate program, it covers in depth aspects of the field of music and demands excessive hard work to understand the core concepts of the field. Students who have their basics cleared from the scratch and have the passion to pursue music as their career will easily be able to make a fruitful career in this area.

Below is a table presenting the premier private music colleges in India along with their respective total tuition fees.

The general eligibility criteria for admission to te best Music colleges in India are mentioned below:

• The candidates are required to complete the basic course in vocal or instrumental music.
• There are three undergraduate programs: BA (Hons in Music), BFA (Music) and B.PA (Music). Besides, to pursue three years’ undergraduate course, the candidate must have passed Class 12 board examination with minimum of 50 percent marks in aggregate (45% marks for reserved category candidates).
• To pursue a postgraduate course, the candidate needs to have completed an undergraduate course in music (either vocal or instrumental). 

The eligible candidates would have to sit for a national-level admission test for the purpose.

There are many skills that would be helpful for students if they wish to become a musician. The ability to write, compose, record, and perform musical pieces, a creative streak to make refreshing music, and the ability to imagine, and communicate an artistic vision to the listeners are all essential skills that are required to become a successful musician. 

Musicians have diverse career prospects. From solo artists to producers, each and every job profile in the field of music has a high career scope and pays handsomely to the performing artists. There have been various instances where musicians have made more money than any of the corporate employees and businessmen. So, to excel in this field, one must have the desire to improve and learn from other professionals in the industry.

There are many job profiles in the Mindustry and professionals are hired by famous recording studios and production houses in the following roles. Some of them are mentioned below along their estimated placement package:

Disclaimer: The above mentioned salaries has been taken from Ambitionbox; therefore it may vary in future.

The candidate needs to have completed an undergraduate course in music (either vocal or instrumental). Candidates have to also appear for the various state-level or national-level entrance examinations in order to be eligible for the admission to MA course in Music. Those candidates who have also undergone honours in Music in BA Arts can also apply for MA Music. Therefore, it is extremely important for candidates to have a background in the field of Music in order to pursue a postgraduate course in the same field.

Many colleges and universities which run MA course in Music offer various electives in order to allow students to specialise in one of these areas. This provides the candidates with streamlined expertise in the different fields of music. The specialisations are as follows:

• Carnatic Music
• Hindustani Music
• Vocal Music
• Instrumental Music
• Music Production
• Music Management

The difference between MA Music and Post Graduate Diploma course in Music is that MA Music is completed in 2 years whereas PGD in Music is completed within 6 months to 1 year. Furthermore, many private music training institutes which are run by professional musicians or music directors offer the short-term PGD course whereas top universities and private colleges offer MA course which is longer in duration and students are admitted to it through entrance examination.

When a candidate learns music either in BA or MA level, he is introduced to the various aspects of Carnatic and Hindustani Music such as Ragas, Talas, Rare Talas, Time theory of Ragas, Ragas used in ancient music (Devanagri and Tamil Languages), Khamas, Darbars, Sriranjini and various methods of analytical study of Music such as Theme and Sahitya through selected compositions. Candidates have to demonstrate their knowledge through practical which consists of demonstration of the various kirtis of musicians.

To establish a sound career in the field of Music production, Candidates must not only be able to understand tempo and rhythm but also must be aware of the various devices used in this exercise. They must be able to produce effective results for their clients in short period of time. They must also be aware of the process of recording and dubbing in a studio in order to be effective sound production engineers. After completing the course, candidates must definitely intern under music companies and recording studios in order to establish a successful career in this field.