PGCert Sacred Music - online

The PGCert in Sacred Music allows students to enhance their skills, knowledge and understanding of sacred music through distance learning postgraduate study.

The course is taught by academics at Scotland’s oldest university who are also professional practitioners in the field of church music. Students are encouraged during the programme to apply insights gained in teaching to their local contexts and professional practice.

The PGCert is aimed particularly at those in church music roles, paid or voluntary, those in active ministry or ministerial training, and those who wish to deepen their understanding of sacred music.

The PGCert in Sacred Music can be taken part-time by distance learning over a maximum of two years. This course is taught through a mixture of video presentations, one-to-one discussions, reflective practice, and guided independent study.

Highlights:

• Develop your awareness of how sacred music making has both shaped, and been shaped by, the practice of Christian worship at different times
• Deepen your understanding of the role of the present-day church musician in its different facets and contexts
• Deepen your understanding of the relationship between sacred music making and the wider social, cultural and political life of the eras and contexts that have shaped particular repertoires
• Reflect on how insights and knowledge gained on the course can directly inform your work as a performer, music director, minister or researcher

Careers

The PGCert in Sacred Music will benefit those wishing to pursue a career as a church musician, or those who are already active as church musicians or clergy, who wish to deepen their understanding of sacred music. 

Graduates of the PGCert in Sacred Music can bring knowledge and skills gained on the course to enhance their future activities, whether in church music leadership and performing roles, active ministry, or other ministerial and congregational roles.