Music and Politics
Music and politics might seem an unlikely pairing, but the two disciplines have a long and productive relationship. Music has always been a site of social commentary, resistance, identity and community, from protest songs and national anthems to the politics of genre and the economics of the music industry. Politics provides the analytical frameworks for understanding power, institutions, ideology and governance.
Combining the two creates a degree that develops both creative and political intelligence, asking you to think seriously about culture as a social force and about the structures that shape artistic life.
At Liverpool Hope, this four-year programme opens with a foundation year, providing a solid academic foundation before you move into the main degree. Liverpool's exceptional musical heritage makes it a particularly compelling place to study music in its cultural and political dimensions. You will develop musical knowledge and practice alongside the analytical tools of political science, exploring topics that range from the politics of artistic funding and intellectual property to music's role in social movements and national identity.
The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and a work placement, giving you extensive professional experience and the opportunity to encounter music and politics in an international setting.
Across the degree you will develop skills in musical analysis, performance or composition depending on the direction you choose, alongside the ability to construct rigorous political arguments and engage with political theory and practice. The work placement and year abroad add dimensions of real-world experience that strengthen your professional profile.
Graduates move into careers across the arts, cultural sector, politics and media, including music journalism, arts management and policy, advocacy, broadcasting, education and community music. The combination of creative and analytical skills opens doors in the broader cultural and political industries.