Master's Programme in Popular Music

Tuition fees are 63,000 NOK per year.

The Master's Programme in Popular Music at the University of Agder starts with the course Aesthetics (MF-404) and includes specialisations like Popular Music Performance, Electronic Music, World Music, and Songwriting.

This two-year full-time programme, located at the Campus Kristiansand, focuses on developing students' artistic expression, musical identity, and technical proficiency, preparing them for advanced-level work in the music industry. There is a strong emphasis on the digitalisation and restructuring of the music business, providing students with a diverse approach to popular music through both performance and theoretical work.

Students will engage in a variety of instructional and working forms, including individual supervision, workshops, and lectures, with the opportunity to be included in the research groups on the Faculty’s research platform PMRU. The master's thesis, which is a central component of the programme, must be an independent academic work within the chosen specialisation.

University of Agder sits on Norway's southern coast with campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad. Although it officially became a university in 2007, its academic roots extend back to the 19th century, and today it serves over 14,000 students. The institution promotes an open, collaborative culture that connects staff, students and the wider community, making it a welcoming choice for international learners seeking a student-centered environment in a compact Scandinavian city.

Academically, UiA balances teaching and research across applied sciences, social sciences, education and the arts, with an emphasis on collaboration and problem solving. Internationalisation is central to the university's strategy: UiA maintains hundreds of exchange agreements and receives exchange students each year, while offering research projects that invite student participation. Practical learning, close faculty contact and opportunities to join cross-disciplinary projects are core strengths.

Student life in Kristiansand combines safe campus living with coastal leisure, efficient public transport and easy access to nature. Support services for international students include orientation programs, language support and guidance on housing and internships. Prospective students should explore program-specific entry requirements and take advantage of UiA's exchange and research options to shape a study path that combines regional engagement with global perspectives.