Folk music, master
Grow into a versatile folk music expert in an internationally leading folk music degree programme.
Why study here?
Our degree programme in folk music is the leading education provider in its field when it comes to student volumes, frequency of activities, international reputation, selection of degree opportunities and the fame of the graduated artists. The programme offers you a range of different paths to becoming a professional in folk music.
About the studies
In the studies, you must choose one of the three orientation options: creative musicianship, pedagogy or research. At the core of the studies are your personally tailored study plan, the relationships that develop between you and the teachers, and individual guidance.
Our learning environment promotes genuine dialogue and your growth into an independent expert and artist.
Pedagogical orientation for folk music
The pedagogical study profile of folk music offers students a wide-ranging understanding of the educational, societal and communal dimensions of pedagogy as well as practical capabilities to act as a specialist in folk music pedagogy, a teacher, an instructor and an artist-pedagogue in various operating environments.
In our curriculum, pedagogy is understood as a wide-ranging activity in which musicianship facilitates the interaction between individuals, communities and society. A research orientation serves as the starting point for practically oriented studies. Studies include courses focusing on specific aspects of folk music pedagogy, guided artistic and educational teacher training in different operating environments, pedagogical-artistic studies, philosophy of educational thinking and courses focusing on society in which pedagogical thinking and actions are linked to topical phenomena, such as equality, social justice and cultural diversity. The studies provide the student with a general pedagogical competence.
Research orientation
The researcher orientation is suitable for students who are particularly interested in conducting research on folk music. The thesis project for students with a research orientation is a Master’s thesis, while other studies provide the necessary skills and capabilities for conducting research and drafting an extensive written thesis project. On the basis of various folk music themes, research can also be linked to, for example, societal phenomena or other art forms.
Studies may include music history, philosophy and familiarisation with different research methods. Studies can be weighted according to what content is central to each student’s thesis project. During their studies, students will also be provided with the necessary prerequisites to apply for doctoral studies.
Artistic orientation
The artistic orientation prepares the student to work primarily as a folk musician who performs, composes and arranges. The occupational description of a professional folk musician can be very diverse: ensemble, theatre, dance art, multiart projects and teaching are all included in the occupational description. Upon graduation, the student will have a comprehensive knowledge of the playing tradition and history of folk music and will be able to apply their skills to produce new music for different contexts.
The artistic orientation includes a lot of instrument studies, playing and singing in a group, improvisation studies, composition and arrangement studies, familiarisation with traditional music and creating new music based on it. Studies also include engaging in knowledge-based discussion and writing about phenomena in the field.
Versatile career opportunities in music
After graduating, you will have a wide range of career options and can work as a musician, composer, pedagogue, researcher, community musician, and entrepreneur. You can also work in expert and developer duties in different organisations or socially engaged contexts and in various roles in multi-artistic productions. Depending on your interests, you can specialise in creative musicianship, pedagogy or research.
Teachers
Our teachers are some of the best experts in their respective fields. In addition to the permanent teaching staff, the programme welcomes top international professionals as guests on a regular basis.
Doctoral studies
You can complete a licentiate and a doctoral degree at Uniarts Helsinki as a third-cycle degree. After graduating with a master’s degree, you can apply for doctoral studies in music and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies.
Find out more
Besides instrument studies, ensemble playing is also integral to the programme. The largest ensemble is the Sibelius Academy Folk Big Band (FBB) that consists of 30–40 folk music students and teachers. As a student, you will have the opportunity to join the band’s activities.
The Master’s Programme in Folk Music regularly releases recordings, study materials and theses that can be browsed online at Etno.net page.
Target degree and length of study
Master of Music (MMus)
2,5 years
Application period
Next possible time to apply is in January 2024. Studies begin in August 2024.
Application languages
English, Finnish, Swedish Read more about the language skill requirements
Tuition fee
Annual tuition fee €5,000 for students studying in English and come from outside the EU and EEA countries. Read more about tuition fees
Supervising teacher
-
Sirpa Lahti
Head of Department, Folk music, Sibelius Academy
Part-time teacher, Folk music, Sibelius Academy+358407384736sirpa.lahti@uniarts.fi
Unit
Sibelius Academy
Ask about applying
Why study here?
Our degree programme in folk music is the leading education provider in its field when it comes to student volumes, frequency of activities, international reputation, selection of degree opportunities and the fame of the graduated artists. The programme offers you a range of different paths to becoming a professional in folk music.
About the studies
In the studies, you must choose one of the three orientation options: creative musicianship, pedagogy or research. At the core of the studies are your personally tailored study plan, the relationships that develop between you and the teachers, and individual guidance.
Our learning environment promotes genuine dialogue and your growth into an independent expert and artist.
Pedagogical orientation for folk music
The pedagogical study profile of folk music offers students a wide-ranging understanding of the educational, societal and communal dimensions of pedagogy as well as practical capabilities to act as a specialist in folk music pedagogy, a teacher, an instructor and an artist-pedagogue in various operating environments.
In our curriculum, pedagogy is understood as a wide-ranging activity in which musicianship facilitates the interaction between individuals, communities and society. A research orientation serves as the starting point for practically oriented studies. Studies include courses focusing on specific aspects of folk music pedagogy, guided artistic and educational teacher training in different operating environments, pedagogical-artistic studies, philosophy of educational thinking and courses focusing on society in which pedagogical thinking and actions are linked to topical phenomena, such as equality, social justice and cultural diversity. The studies provide the student with a general pedagogical competence.
Research orientation
The researcher orientation is suitable for students who are particularly interested in conducting research on folk music. The thesis project for students with a research orientation is a Master’s thesis, while other studies provide the necessary skills and capabilities for conducting research and drafting an extensive written thesis project. On the basis of various folk music themes, research can also be linked to, for example, societal phenomena or other art forms.
Studies may include music history, philosophy and familiarisation with different research methods. Studies can be weighted according to what content is central to each student’s thesis project. During their studies, students will also be provided with the necessary prerequisites to apply for doctoral studies.
Artistic orientation
The artistic orientation prepares the student to work primarily as a folk musician who performs, composes and arranges. The occupational description of a professional folk musician can be very diverse: ensemble, theatre, dance art, multiart projects and teaching are all included in the occupational description. Upon graduation, the student will have a comprehensive knowledge of the playing tradition and history of folk music and will be able to apply their skills to produce new music for different contexts.
The artistic orientation includes a lot of instrument studies, playing and singing in a group, improvisation studies, composition and arrangement studies, familiarisation with traditional music and creating new music based on it. Studies also include engaging in knowledge-based discussion and writing about phenomena in the field.
Versatile career opportunities in music
After graduating, you will have a wide range of career options and can work as a musician, composer, pedagogue, researcher, community musician, and entrepreneur. You can also work in expert and developer duties in different organisations or socially engaged contexts and in various roles in multi-artistic productions. Depending on your interests, you can specialise in creative musicianship, pedagogy or research.
Teachers
Our teachers are some of the best experts in their respective fields. In addition to the permanent teaching staff, the programme welcomes top international professionals as guests on a regular basis.
Doctoral studies
You can complete a licentiate and a doctoral degree at Uniarts Helsinki as a third-cycle degree. After graduating with a master’s degree, you can apply for doctoral studies in music and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies.
Find out more
Besides instrument studies, ensemble playing is also integral to the programme. The largest ensemble is the Sibelius Academy Folk Big Band (FBB) that consists of 30–40 folk music students and teachers. As a student, you will have the opportunity to join the band’s activities.
The Master’s Programme in Folk Music regularly releases recordings, study materials and theses that can be browsed online at Etno.net page.