MSc
Music, Mind & Brain

What kind of research project can I do?

We offer a range of research projects, drawing on a variety of approaches: behavioural, computational, neuroscientific. Students are also invited to propose a project of their own choice, providing appropriate supervision can be offered.

If a student has a contact with an external supervisor, it may be possible to arrange for project supervision outside Goldsmiths with the involvement of a faculty member as co-supervisor.

The following projects, conducted by past students on the MMB programme, exemplify the range of approaches and questions that can be addressed in the final year project:

• A longitudinal flow state study comparing professional musicians and visual artists
• Exploring the neural correlates of music-induced awe experiences using VR and EEG
• Does human-AI collaboration spark music creativity?
• Studying rhythm and executive function in toddlers
• Studying melody cognition through online singing experiments
• Are abilities for music and maths really related?
• Music plagiarism and simulating the evolution of melodies
• Can imagery-based interventions reduce music performance anxiety?
• Studying cross-cultural similarities and differences in music listening behaviour using big music data from Shazam
• Atypical processing of pitch: a behavioural and electrophysiological exploration of the effects of autism traits and musical training
• Sensorimotor synchronisation of non-nutritive sucking to an auditory tempo in term infants
• Exploring absolute pitch in children and young people with visual impairment
• An fMRI study investigating how music impacts on the perception of emotion
• The influence of native language on rhythmic grouping

Explore a list of publications arising from Music, Mind, and Brain theses and collaborations.

How to apply

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.

To complete your application, you will need to have:

• Details of your academic qualifications
• The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
• Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
• A personal statement

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

When to apply

We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September.

We consider applications on a rolling basis.

If you are applying for external funding from one of the Research Councils, make sure you submit your application by the deadline they've specified.

Selection process

Because the programme is highly interdisciplinary, we appreciate that some candidates may not have a strong background in all the key areas (psychology, neuroscience, research methods). However, we expect all applicants to be familiar with some of the music psychology literature and concepts in empirical research.

Further guidance

Read our guide to applying for a postgraduate degree at Goldsmiths.

Current programme directors Dr Diana Omigie and Dr Daniel Müllensiefen are joined by an expert teaching faculty, all of whom have international profiles within the fields of music psychology and/or the neuroscience of music. They include:

• Dr Manuel Anglada Tort, Lecturer in Psychology
• Dr Sinead Rocha, Lecturer in Psychology
• Professor Joydeep Bhattacharya, Professor of Psychology
• Professor Lauren Stewart, Professor of Psychology and founder of the programme

Students have access to the MMB faculty’s international network of collaborators while the Eminent Invited Speaker Series brings world-leading researchers to Goldsmiths to present their latest research to students.