Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.
Entry requirements
- A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree and relevant experience in theology or music. Applications are also considered from applicants who have majored in another subject but who have significant practical or professional experience in music or theology.
- We will also consider applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree. In these circumstances we expect candidates to have significant relevant practical or professional experience alongside evidence of prior alternative learning.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
- personal statement (300 to 500 words)
- two original signed academic references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Course details
The PGCert in Sacred Music can be taken part time by distance learning over a maximum of two years.
The course is taught by academic staff who are church music practitioners. It is aimed at those already active in church music roles, those in active ministry or ministerial training, or those who simply wish to deepen their understanding of sacred music.
Highlights:
- Develop your awareness of how sacred music making has both shaped, and been shaped by, the practice of Christian worship at different times.
- Deepen your understanding of the role of the present-day church musician in its different facets and contexts.
- Deepen your understanding of the relationship between sacred music making and the wider social, cultural and political life of the eras and contexts that have shaped particular repertoires.
- Reflect on how insights and knowledge gained on the course can directly inform your work as a performer, music director, minister or researcher.
Modules
The programme consists of two taught modules studied online. The modules below are currently proposed for the Sacred Music PGCert online programme.
Music-Making in a Church Context: encourages students to reflect on, and to develop, their practice as church musicians, music leaders, clergy, or oral presenters. Explorations through case studies of roles such as choir director, organist, composer and worship ensemble leader allow students to engage critically with different types of church music roles, and explore the technical, organisational and interpersonal skills required for successful church music-making.
Insights from lecture case studies and scholarly perspectives from reading are combined with ongoing reflection on students’ own practice in their home contexts.
Sacred Music Repertoires from Past and Present: invites students to explore how an informed understanding of different sacred music repertoires can shape musical practice, active ministry, and scholarly research today. Students will explore a range of repertoires stemming from different contexts and confessional traditions. By engaging critically with these, students are encouraged to reflect on how different sacred music repertoires, many of which are rooted in the past, might shape present-day practice.
Students have the opportunity to reflect on how a critical understanding of different repertoires can underpin their own approaches to issues such as style, authenticity, originality, function, tradition and innovation, which arguably all sacred music practitioners, broadly defined, must grapple with in their work.
Teaching
Students will learn through a mixture of video presentations, one-to-one discussions, reflective practice, and guided independent study.
Assessment comprises a combination of videoed performance and presentation, written reflection, and group forum discussion.
Fees
£4,010
Application fee
Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.
15% Recent Graduate Discount
If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
After your degree
Careers
The PGCert in Sacred Music will benefit those wishing to pursue a career as a church musician, or those who are already active as church musicians or clergy, who wish to deepen their understanding of sacred music.
Graduates of the PGCert in Sacred Music can bring knowledge and skills gained on the course to enhance their future activities, whether in church music leadership and performing roles, active ministry, or other ministerial and congregational roles.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
Further study
The programme would also benefit those wishing to pursue further postgraduate study, including the MLitt in Sacred Music.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 2226
- sacredmusic@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- Music Centre
Laidlaw Music Centre
Queen's Terrace
St Andrews
KY16 9QF
