Politics and Music

Politics and music is an intellectually adventurous combination that takes seriously what is often only acknowledged informally: that music is one of the most powerful forces in political life. From protest songs and national anthems to state-sponsored orchestras and the political economies of the music industry, the relationship between musical practice and political power is deep and varied. Politics provides the theoretical and empirical tools to analyse states, power, ideology and political behaviour.

Music provides access to a different kind of human expression, one that operates through sound, time and feeling rather than argument alone, and the discipline of music brings historical, analytical and cultural methods to the study of musical traditions.

At SOAS in London this three-year full-time programme is enriched by the institution's particular focus on the musical traditions of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, giving you access to musical cultures that are often marginalised in Western-centric music programmes. A foundation year is built into the programme, building the analytical and academic foundations you need to engage with the degree's demanding content. You will study political theory, comparative politics and international relations alongside music history, music theory and the ethnomusicological approaches that SOAS has pioneered in the UK.

The combination gives you an unusually broad view of both politics and music across cultures and periods.

Graduates of this unusual combination go on to careers in music journalism, cultural policy, arts administration, broadcasting, political communications, education, international cultural diplomacy and the music industry itself. The combination of political analysis and musical knowledge is particularly valuable in roles that require understanding of how culture and power interact, from cultural diplomacy to the regulation of creative industries. Postgraduate study in musicology, ethnomusicology, political science, cultural policy or international relations is a natural continuation for those who want to deepen their expertise.