I chose to study music at a postgraduate level at the University of Birmingham for many reasons, the most potent being its fabulous staff, facilities, and student body. The university provides a great course which is bolstered by members of staff who consistently inspire and push you to improve as a musician and musicologist. Moreover, the opportunity to conduct my degree in modern classrooms and state-of-the-art practice rooms and perform to a high standard in wonderful performance spaces like the Dome and Elgar Concert Hall with like-minded students is unmatched.

A highlight of my course so far has been the breadth of teaching we have received through the Introduction to Musicology module. We have had the opportunity to learn about a lot of aspects of musicology from many different members of staff, and I find the discussions that are sparked in each seminar to be incredibly interesting and inspiring – everyone is bringing their own knowledge and expertise to the table.

I have learned a lot from my course, including in deepening my knowledge of performance and musicology. A Masters in music contains vastly different options and increased customisation than in an undergraduate degree, so I can tailor my course to my interests and aspirations. It is because of this that I am able to prepare for a future in both academia and performance simultaneously, including acquiring knowledge that I would not and have not been able to receive in my undergraduate degree.