Popular Music
KristiansandIs all you want to immerse yourself in your own artistic project? Do you have a burning desire to further develop the music industry? If so, this master's program in popular music is a perfect match. Extended application deadline: 15 April 2026
Facts about the program
- ECTS credits:
- 120
- Duration:
- 2 years
- Mode of study
- Full-time
- Semester:
- Autumn 2027
- Application opens:
- 1 Nov/1 Feb
- Application deadline:
- 15 Dec/1 March
- Teaching languages:
-
- English
- Norwegian
- Student places:
- 24
Our Master's program in popular music offers five specialisations, four of which are performing specialisations:
- Performing Music
- Electronic Music
- World Music
- Songwriting
The fifth specialisation option is theoretical:
- Music Business og Management.
Choose the specialisation that suits you best, and be encouraged and challenged by fellow students, practitioners and supervisors at the highest level. You can read more about the various specialisations further down the page.
The Department of Popular Music is one of Norway's oldest and largest professional environments for popular music. Here you will find experimental and traditional expressions, practice and theory, exploration and research, side by side and at intertwined. We all share a big pumping heart for creating, playing, understanding and communicating music as an art form.
About the programme
In our Master’s programme in Popular Music, you get the opportunity to work within one of our specialisations.
Performance-based specialisations
Performing Music
Your personal expression and musical identity are at the core for this scecialisation. Through further development of artistic and technical skills, you are prepared as a music performer at an advanced and professional level.
The program also includes a theoretical component, where you acquire knowledge of various research methods and directions within popular music science, and learn to apply this in practical musical performance. This provides you with a solid foundation to engage in music innovation and reflect on your own musical practice.
Students in this specialisation can join the faculty's research groups.
Application deadline: December 15th.
Electronic Music
The specialisation Electronic music has a performing profile. You work particularly with music technology and sound design in the studio, or use of Live Electronics in a concert context.
At the same time, you follow an alternative subject composition where practice, composition, programming and production of electronic music are central. The theoretical component follows the specialisation in performing popular music.
The students on this specialization can be part of the faculty's research groups.
Application deadline: 15 December.
World Music
World Music is a performing specialisation where you as an instrumentalist or vocalist use traditional music as a starting point and link this to music from other parts of the world.
This specialisation is for performing musicians and music educators who want to build bridges across borders and cultures, and who want to expand their stylistic repertoire.
The study's theoretical component deals with analysis of existing theories, methods and interpretations within traditional folk music. Provision is made for independent work with relevant scientific methods for professional and artistic development work.
The students on this specialisation can be part of the faculty's research groups.
Application deadline: 15 December.
Songwriting
The specialisation Songwriting emphasizes further development of your own material and deepening your own musical expression. Through work in the main area – the textual, musical and instrument-based – your identity as both a songwriter and performer is strengthened. Reflection on own writing is central.
The work to strengthen your performer competence is continuous and you follow your compositions from idea to finished recorded material. The theoretical component follows the specialisation in performing popular music.
The students on this specialisation can be part of the faculty's research groups.
Application deadline: 15 December.
Theoretical specialisation
What will you learn?
- You acquire a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between performance practice and relevant popular musicology.
- You are provided with insight into central concepts and theoretical issues of popular musicology.
- You develop an academic foundation in order to be able to contribute to reflection and innovation inside popular music.
- You achieve comprehensive understanding of how to accomplish research projects in the field of popular music.
- You get an overview of the different participants and organisations in the musicological environment, and and the dynamics operating between them.
- You achieve knowledge of new technologies and the possibilities and challenges they offer.
- You achieve comprehensive understanding of relevant musicological methods within artistic research, and the ability to use them independently.
Exchange opportunities
You can take part of the master's program in Popular Music abroad. It is facilitated for exchange in the 3rd semester.
This is where you can go on exchange
Everything you need to know about exchange
Student life
In 2022, UiA’s Department of Popular Music was awarded the title of Center for Excellence in Education. The center, CreaTeME, focuses on creative use of technology in music education and offers a multitude of student activities. Visit CreaTeME’s website for more information about the center’s projects and activities.
Read more about student life in Southern Norway and what to expect here.
Career prospects
The master’s programme leads to the degree of Master in Popular Music. The performance specializations qualify for creative and performative work within the cultural sector, in addition to more specialized performance based work. After completion, you have also achieved qualifications to establish your own music business.
The theoretical specialization offer relevant skills for working in music organizations, media, record companies, and copyright agencies.
A completed Master’s degree in Popular Music qualifies for PhD-level work, e.g. at the Faculty of Fine Arts, UiA.
Admissions
Application period
Extended application deadline: 15 April 2026
- Non EU/EEA international applicants: From 1 November to 15 December (both for performance and theoretical specialisations).
- EU/EEA applicants: From 1 November till 15 December (performance specialisations) or 1 February to 1 March (theoretical specialisations).
- Nordic citizens and applicants with a permanent or renewable residence permit in Norway: From 1 November to 15 December (performance specialisations) or 1 February till 15 April (theoretical specialisation).
Admission requirements
The general admission requirement is a bachelor's degree or equivalent education of at least three years (180 credits). At least 20 credits in the specialisation unit must be level 2. Otherwise, admission takes place in accordance with regulations on admission to studies and courses at the University of Agder.
Recommended previous knowledge
The three performance-based master's specialisations require a very high level on the principle instrument, and music science and theory pre-requisites equivalent to completion of Scientific Theory, Aesthetics and Analysis (MUR/MUK 107) from the bachelor programme in music performance at UiA. Documentation of such knowledge is a pre-requisite for admission.
Performance specialisations:
Performing music, World Music and Songwriting
The admission criteria must include a specialisation unit of at least 80 credits in performing music or equivalent.
Applicants must write a proposal for a project description for a master's thesis according to the guidelines laid down for the Faculty of Arts. Proposals for areas of specialisation for the master's thesis must be approved by the university 5 weeks before the entrance exam is held.
Ranking of applicants takes place on the basis of the entrance exam with the following parts:
- Audition. At the audition, a score from 10 to 20 is given for passing the test. Applicants who get less than 10 points have not passed. The audition counts for 50% of the total score.
- Interview. During the interview, a score is given from 10 to 20. The interview counts for 50% of the total score. The audition must be passed in order to be admitted to an interview.
Electronic music
The admission basis must include one of the following criteria:
- Specialisation unit of at least 80 credits in performing or electronic music, bachelor's degree in music technology or equivalent. At least 20 credits in the specialisation unit must be level 2.
- Other relevant bachelor's programs may, after special assessment, be approved as a basis for admission.
Applicants must write an application with a proposal for a project description for a master's thesis according to the guidelines laid down for the Faculty of Arts. Proposals for areas of specialisation for the master's thesis must be approved by the university 5 weeks before the entrance exam is held.
Ranking of applicants takes place on the basis of the entrance exam with the following parts:
- Audition. At the audition, a score from 10 to 20 is given for passing the test. Applicants who get less than 10 points have not passed. The audition counts for 50% of the total score.
- Interview. During the interview, a score is given from 10 to 20. The interview counts for 50% of the total score. The audition must be passed in order to be admitted to an interview.
Music business and management
The admission basis must include one of the following criteria:
- Specialisation unit of at least 80 credits in performing music, music pedagogy or musicology. At least 20 credits in the specialization unit must be level 2.
- Relevant specialisation unit of at least 80 credits within the culture/music/culture studies. At least 20 credits in the specialization unit must be level 2.
- Bachelor's degree in economics or equivalent
- Other relevant bachelor's programs may, after special assessment, be approved as a basis for admission.
A weighted average grade of C or better is required, calculated on the basis of the entire bachelor's degree.
How to apply
How to apply to degree programmes
The Section for Admissions at UiA can answer questions about the application process. For questions about the programme itself, please contact your faculty. See the contact details at the bottom of this page.
Contact the Section for Admissions
Phone: +47 38 14 15 64
Phone hours: Monday - Wednesday - Friday 9:00 - 11:00
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are applicable to international students with citizenship from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland.
Contact
- lars.bogen@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 38 14 22 85
- torun.eriksen@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 38 14 13 59
- pia.goul@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 38 14 24 12