Fully Online MA Professional Practice
Voice Pedagogy
Now Taking Applications for April 2023

Fully online MA Professional Practice
Voice Pedagogy
Now Taking Applications for April 2023

Overview

Overview

Our full MA Professional Practice (Voice Pedagogy) enables singing teachers and other voice professionals to apply theory to practice within the broad field of Voice Pedagogy (Vocal Pedagogy)
This innovative postgraduate pathway facilitates the research of new areas of learning. The modules allow for the design and implementation of new initiatives that contribute to an individual’s practice, organisation, and professional network.
The course exposes students to a vast range of academic and practitioner resources through pre-recorded and real-time online content.
Assigned tutors mentor you to design an individualised programme relevant to your practice needs. It consists of six micro-projects that allow for the application of theory to practice.
Tutors are readily available between 9:00am – 5:00pm (UK time) throughout the week
Live classes are available most weeks, these are all recorded and available to view after the event.
This online pathway is for both International and UK students, and the next available start date is April 2023.
The qualification is fully accredited and is a collaboration between the University of Wales Trinity St David and Voice Study Centre (formerly Voice Workshop).

It is ideal for those working as vocal coaches/singing teachers or those from a music background who wish to gain a firmer understanding of vocal pedagogy.

Structure & Content

69.5% of our most recent graduates received a Distinction grade.

Pre-recorded lectures

Anatomy:

With expert lectures by Kerrie Obert, Kate Cubley, and ENT consultant Declan Costello you will examine the complex vocal and human anatomy. You will explore how this applies to singing. You may even choose to explore further lectures on the vocal folds, larynx, and tongue.

Respiration:

You will explore breathing anatomy with leading guest lecturers such as Dr. Ron Morris and become acquainted with different breathing methodologies. You will gain a rich and comprehensive research overview that can be adapted for practice.

Alignment:
With an overview of research relating to posture, you will be able to explore modalities such as Feldenkrais/Alexander Technique with visiting lecturers such as the renowned Robert Sussuma.

Vocal Registers:
You will explore the research on vocal registers with well-known guest lecturers such as Dr. Marco Guzman and Dr. Filipa La, leaders in their field.

Resonance and Acoustics:
Acoustic pedagogy is a growth area for research. Kate Cubley provides a basic overview covering fundamental concepts for beginners. You will explore the research on acoustics and its relevance to voice pedagogy with Dr. Josh Glasner. The renowned Ken Bozeman will evaluate practical application. Dr. Chadley Ballantyne will explore acoustics in relation to CCM, and you will gain expert knowledge in the use and potential of Voce Vista.

Vocal Health:
You will explore Voice disorders with renowned SLP specialist/published author Kerrie Obert before moving on to voice therapy. You will explore ethical boundaries and the role of the singing teacher with leading voice therapist Leda Scearce.
To deepen insight and further broaden your knowledge, endoscopic interpretation will develop your anatomical understanding. Dr. Marco Guzman explores water resistance and voice therapy and Dr. Filipa La examines flow phonation and the use of the flow ball.

Developing Voices:
You will examine the developing voice from childhood to adolescence to adulthood with Dr. Karen Brunssen. We host world experts such as Dr. Patrick Freer on the adolescent male voices, Dr. Bridget Sweet on girls voices. Dr. Filipa La and Joanna Bozeman explore the voice during the menopause.

Neuroscience:
You will explore Neuroscience and Pedagogy with Heidi Moss and Dr Michel Belyk, leaders in their field. You will understand how the brain works in relation to motor learning. Kitti Verdolini examines the evolution of motor learning research, and Jon Nix explores practical application. Neuroscience brings exciting developments in Voice Pedagogy, and you will gain a multi-lensed view and broad understanding of the latest areas of research and what it could mean for your practice.

Genre – Pop/MT/Classical:

What do we know about these genres in terms of research? Where are the gaps?

Mindfulness:

Mindfulness is increasingly used in voice for a host of reasons. You will gain a broad insight and deeper understanding of Mindfulness and its application. Dr. Czaijkowski gives an overview of Mindfulness research in relation to Music and Christina Shewell explores how it can be used in relation to spoken voice

Performance Coaching:

We have a wealth of rich content on Performance Coaching delivered by leading specialists such as Teresa Shaw and Dr. Dave Juncos. You will learn different coaching methodologies, Acceptance and Commitment Coaching, the symptoms, causes of MPA. You will look at the Psychology of the Performer with Mel Toy and look at self-efficacy and motivational interviewing.

Spoken Voice:

The research evidence for spoken voice is developing and we offer lectures on Accents with Dr. Sansom. Deborah Garvey explores Linklater and the renowned Barbara Houseman communicates her eclectic methodology drawn from a wide sphere including singing pedagogy.

Transgender Voices:

You will explore Transgender voices with Liz Jackson Hearns and we have live sessions scheduled to explore this emerging and fascinating area even further.

Voice and Emotion:

Joanna Cazden examines Empathy and Voice Work Polyvagal theory. We also explore the Alba and Chekhov techniques with expert Kerrie Obert. In addition to this, we take a deep dive into Voice and Emotion with Mel Toy to give a broader understanding of this fascinating topic and how it could apply to your practice.

Singing for Health:

This is a rich and varied area of research, and we have lectures from Stephen Clift and Emily Foulkes exploring voice and trauma, group singing and health benefits, singing and mental health, COPD and lung health as well as chronic pain.

Real-time lectures

We offer a series of real-time lectures that can be viewed ‘live’ or after the event. These include our leading practitioners: Heidi Moss, Ken Bozeman, Christina Shewell, Joanna Cazden, Jeannie Lovetri, Triniece Robinson, Dann Mitton, Chadley Ballantyne, Leda Scearce, Dr. Dave Juncos, Dr. Michel Belyk.

There will be a rolling programme of events to attend every week. All sessions are recorded for later viewing.

The online videos will provide you with a core understanding upon which you can build and garner research ideas to apply to your practice. This course facilitates the exploration of a diverse and often conflicting field.

The course consists of one non-assessed assignment and six micro-projects, allowing you to explore different aspects of your practice.

You will also receive step-by-step guidance on how to complete the assignments and engage in research.

Formative Assignment	Open choice
Module 1: Introductory Module – 4,500 words	This module facilitates the exploration of theory in part 1 with direct application to practice in part 2
Module 2: Research Methods – 4,500 words	Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
Module 3: Work-Based Research Report – 9,000 words	Open Choice: Choose an area of your practice to investigate. You can develop strategies for implementation and then test them out. Or you can deepen understanding by examining and analysing existing methods.
Independent Study – 9,000 words	Open Choice: This is an opportunity to carry out a detailed literature review to strengthen your practice. Evidence of practice application can take the form of a curriculum, strategy design, tools, workbooks, etc.
Independent Study – 9,000 words	As above
Final dissertation – 15,000 words	The final piece will consist of primary research in an area of your choice.

This course is highly flexible and self-determined, and this freedom is appealing to practitioners. That said, carving an independent pathway can be daunting. We, therefore, offer a blended learning approach combining taught lectures with independent research. The classes are diverse and act as a stimulus rather than a rigid syllabus. They provide a framework, sparking areas of interest and exploration.

Will I be able to fit it into my working commitments and family life?

The course is designed specifically for practitioners who combine a busy working life and family life. The course is designed to study one module at a time. The deadlines are set and students work in tandem with one another. The deadlines give a generous time allocation as your working life is factored into the calculation. Our retention rate is very high with the vast majority of our students completing the MA.

Tutor Support

Tutorial support is pivotal to your development throughout the course.

You will be offered contact via Zoom, and you can book in for sessions as you need them. We can provide advanced support where necessary, and eligible students with registered disabilities receive additional one-to-one support from the university.

It is beneficial to discuss project ideas and to re-shape projects as they progress. We also offer group sessions on Zoom to ease isolation and share ideas with other students. We try to provide these at a time that suits everyone, although time differences and work commitments may make this problematic, and for this reason, we will record the sessions for you to access the content at a later date.

With regards to other support, you will have access to the UWTSD online library, as well as their support structures.

These include learning support, disability advice, and counselling services.

You will be able to access a tutor five days a week, between the hours of 9am-5pm (UK time).

Applications

Eligibility

The pre-requisite for the MA is a Degree or degree level equivalent.
We do accept Trinity and ABRSM higher-level Diplomas providing there is an academic component to them.
We will accept level 5 qualifications in some cases, and we do accept level 6 transcriptions where a degree level qualification has not been completed.
Please do enquire as to your qualification status.
Students without the requisite qualifications can undertake the foundation course at no extra cost and forms part of our inclusivity policy.

Applications

Our MA programme is moderated and accredited by our academic partner, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Applicants will therefore go through a two-stage application process, with the first tier of application through the Voice Study Centre (formerly Voice Workshop) and the second tier of application through the University.

As part of the application process, you will meet with a Course Tutor for an interview. This is an excellent way for you to find out more about the programme and discuss your background and interests with one of our tutors. During this interview, a Course Tutor will assess your suitability for the programme and be able to answer any questions you may have.

Applicants must have a degree qualification, if you are not educated to degree level, you may wish to undertake our Foundation Course.

Applicants will be asked to provide the following:

Two references (one of these must be academic) available upon request.
A personal statement detailing your reasons for wishing to undertake this postgraduate programme of study. This should be between 500-1000 words and include your professional and academic experience, your interests, your motivation for undertaking this programme of study, and what you hope to gain for your career path and continuing professional development.
Copies of your highest qualification (degree certificate and transcript).

During the formal University enrolment process, International students will be asked to provide a Personal Statement, ID, qualification certificates/transcripts, academic references and proof of English language level to UWTSD. This is in line with UK Government regulations for higher education institutions. Voice Study Centre (formerly Voice Workshop) will be supporting applicants and on hand to provide advice and guidance through this second tier of their application process with the University.

International Applicants

If an applicant has:

Successfully completed a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate qualification, at a recognised institution based in one of the above majority English speaking countries (certificates, transcripts and/or other documents stating language of delivery and assessment may be required by the University prior to an offer being made).
Successfully completed within the last five years a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate qualification at a recognised institution that has been certified as being taught in the medium of English (certificates, transcripts and / or other documents stating language of delivery and assessment may be required by the University prior to an offer being made).
A UKVI recognised Secure English Language Test awarded within 2 years of applying for entry to the University.
One of the following English Language Test documents awarded within 2 years of applying for entry to the University:

NAME OF QUALIFICATION	LEVEL / SCORE REQUIRED
IELTS (Academic)	Minimum overall score of 6.0 with no lower than 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening or Speaking.
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE).	Minimum score of 169 or above with no lower than 162 in Reading, Writing, Listening or Speaking.
Cambridge English: Business Vantage (BEC Vantage) – for Business courses only.	Minimum score of 75 or above.
Cambridge English: Business Higher (BEC Higher) – for Business courses only	Minimum score of 60 or above
BULATS: Business Language Testing Service (online certificated version taken with certifying BULATS agents) – for Business courses only	Minimum score of 65 or above.
Cambridge English: Financial (ICFE) – for Business courses only.	Minimum score of 60 or above.
Cambridge English: Legal (ILEC) – for Business courses only	Minimum score of 60 or above.
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)	C1
Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)	Benchmark Score of 56 with a Minimum Score of 51 in Communicative Skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). Scores may fall below the Benchmark Score in the Communicative Skills by no more than the specified Minimum Score and in no more than two Communicative Skills.
University of Wales Trinity Saint David: Wales Academic Language Test	Minimum overall score of 6.0 with no lower than 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) ll	Distinction in each component
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) lll	Pass or above overall, with Passes or above in each component
International Baccalaureate	Higher Level 5 or Standard Level 5 Language A or Higher Level 5 or Standard Level 5 Language B
Cambridge IGCSE	Minimum Grade C (grade 4) in IGCSE in English as a first language, Grade C (grade 4) in IGCSE in English as a Second Language satisfy the English language proficiency requirements for undergraduate study

Fees & Timescale

Programme of study	Credits	Length of course
Full MA	180	33 months

The MA consists of 180 credits in total. There is an opportunity to exit with 60 credits and a Post Graduate Certificate (PGCert), though the majority of our students continue on to the full MA pathway. Please be aware that the PGCert is part of the MA as it forms the first 60 credits; it is NOT a separate course.

We’re now taking applications for our April 2023 cohort.

April 2023 Fees

Programme of study	UK Students US Students	International Students

MA	£9,995 (VAT inclusive) total cost $15,000 USD total cost	£11,995 total cost

Programme of study

UK Students

US Students

International Students

£9,995 (VAT inclusive) total cost

$15,000 USD total cost

£11,995 total cost

If you decide to enrol onto the full MA after completing the PGCert, the fee you paid for the PGCert will be deducted from the MA fee. For example, after completing the PGCert you will need to pay £6,495 (UK) or £8,000 (International) to complete the full MA.

Students that opt to pay the full amount up front rather than installments, will receive a $250 discount. The total amount payable in that case will be $14,750.

The SLC will provide up to £11,500 of your tuition fees, which will be paid in instalments.

Please note that once you have enrolled on to the MA, you are contractually bound even if you do not complete it.

Also, be aware that our instalment programme may not match the Student Loan Company, and temporary borrowing may be necessary.

Students who require US Federal Student Aid funding will need to apply for the MA to access the loan.

For student loan enquiries, please follow this link.

For UK based MA students, do be aware that student finance instalments may not align with the tuition fee schedule. In this case, you will still have to abide by the tuition fee deadlines. This is due to differences in student loan schedules that individual applicants receive and it is not possible to facilitate differing agreements. We would advise you to make sure that you are able to financially commit to this before your application.

October 2022 Payment Schedule

(April 2023 payment schedule coming soon)

MA Course fees

Course fees are all non-refundable (apart from the initial

£1,000

$1000

which has the refundable 14-day cooling off period) and must be paid in accordance with the

instalment

installment

schedule below.

Students from Northern Ireland are eligible for finance for the fees payable to the university only.

Students from Scotland are not eligible for student finance, however, as policies do change please consult Student Finance Scotland.

ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

October 2022 – MA Fee Payment Schedule

* discount of 5% applicable if full MA fee is paid up front

UK £9,995* $15,000 USD*	International £11,995*
£1,000 $1,000 – Deposit	£1,000 – Deposit
£1,600 $3,133 – 1st November 2022	£2,995 – 1st November 2022
£2,725 $4,133 – 1st November 2023	£2,995 – 1st November 2023
£2,600 $4,133 – 30th August 2024	£2,935 – 30th August 2024
£2,070 $2,600 – UWTSD	£2,070 – UWTSD

UWTSD fees are payable in instalments.

October 2022 – PGCert Fee Payment Schedule

UK £3,500
£1,000 – Deposit
£800 – November 2022
£800 – July 2023
£900 – UWTSD

Testimonials

For full student experience stories and testimonials, please follow the links below.

Cohort A & B’s Graduation – April 2022

What opportunities will the course give me?

Until recently, all of our students have been based in the UK and the opportunities created are therefore relevant to their locality.

We have recently seen the completion of our first MA and from this cohort of 20:

3 have been accepted to present at EuroVox 2020.
3 have been accepted to present at the Society of Music Education in Ireland.
1 has been asked to present at Mental Health Network conference specialising in Singing and Health.
1 presented her research at the British Voice Association – Vocal Health Forum in 2019.
3 have moved into teaching at University level on the basis of their qualification.