Testimonials

"During the programme, I encountered a fascinating community of students, faculty, and visiting scholars that pushed me in all the right directions, making me wonder about topics I had not considered before or interesting ways in which I could reshape my research. Particularly, I think the musicology colloquium, as a full-on event in which this community converges, was one of the most exciting moments to look forward to. In addition to the opportunities found within the programme, I was encouraged to present my research in conferences, research school activities, and other academic spaces within and beyond the Netherlands.

When the time came to write my thesis, and despite it being a largely independent and lonely journey, I always felt supported by my supervisor, who was available to meet whenever the need would arise. The thesis process was complemented with frequent writing sessions, workshops, and a general sense of wellbeing provided by faculty members and fellow students alike.

I am currently working on my doctoral project at the University of Oxford, which consists of a further investigation of my master’s thesis topic. The many lessons that I learned in the Research Master’s in Musicology, from nurturing critical stances towards musicological issues to developing the skills necessary for independent research, provided me with the tools to confidently undertake my doctoral work, as well as the challenges that might lie ahead in my career.”

"The programme's workload, complex topics, and extensive material to process create a strong base for a sustainable career. This preparation is key for adapting to a constantly evolving job market where multifaceted skills are essential. By encouraging critical thinking, attention to detail, and open-mindedness, the course equips students to handle a wide range of situations.

A piece of advice is to secure an internship during the RMA. This experience not only aids in navigating the job market but also enhances the likelihood of securing a job right after graduation. Currently, I work as an A&R representative in the music industry. While many skills were developed on the job, the master’s programme provided the discipline necessary for ongoing improvement through research and reflection. The course demands strong commitment, willpower, and personal determination. Nonetheless, the support from professors and the guidance received were instrumental in refining my research and communication skills, and these benefits continue to support me today.

The RMA helps students prepare for the realities of a professional career by building confidence and perseverance, which supports their ability to excel in their chosen path. Ultimately, the programme shows that whether one pursues a career in academia or another field, the skills and resilience gained are valuable for thriving in a competitive job market.”

"The programme offers abundant developmental opportunities to seize proactively, with guidance from an exceptional faculty. Regular interactions in a community of professors and peers through classes, colloquia, research fora, and late-night library sessions enriched my experience. Encouragement from faculty also led me to explore external opportunities, including presenting research internationally and participating in an extracurricular MA Honours program. This proved a valuable addition to my bachelor’s in Musicology (also at UU), which I had already complemented with a minor in policy and public governance.

I found the RMA highly demanding but equally rewarding. I left the programme with valuable research and transferable skills, as well as new perspectives on academia and society at large. My thesis supervisor and coordinator at the time, Dr. Rebekah Ahrendt, always emphasized the applicability of our skills in various environments, a viewpoint affirmed by my subsequent career path. Inspired by my studies, I embarked on a journey into cultural and public policy, beginning with a formative traineeship at KEA in Brussels. This experience paved the way to a research role at the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, where I now serve as a senior research officer.

In my current position, I continue to apply the skills and mindset cultivated during my RMA, contributing to policy-making that addresses societal challenges. This journey highlights the programme’s versatility in preparing graduates for diverse career paths and underscores that personal and professional growth as a researcher is an ongoing endeavour, both within academia and beyond."

"The program had three major advantages for me. First, I loved the RMA’s customizability: for example, a friend and I wanted to learn about disability and music, so we approached a professor and designed a tutorial together. I also took an intensive internship with a gender studies professor, allowing me to get a real taste of doing original research. Second, the program is small, so everybody knows each other. Although my cohort had many classes online due to the pandemic, we developed a strong bond, organizing thesis retreats and staying in touch after graduation. Finally, staying in Utrecht meant I could strengthen all the connections I’d built during my BA: with friends, study association Hucbald, and the faculty. During my bachelor’s, the student-teacher divide was stricter; as a master’s student, I felt like professors and students were learning together.

With help from my professors and peers, I landed a position as PhD student in Music and Sound Studies at Cornell University in the US. Doing a PhD is anything but easy, but it would be much harder without the skills the RMA taught me: writing convincing and engaging texts, being confident and critical about your research, hosting seminars, and giving and receiving feedback. Not to mention the deep knowledge about the many musicological topics covered in classes and colloquia! If I were transported back in time, I would choose the RMA Musicology again in a heartbeat.”

"Coming from what turned out to be a radically different academic tradition, I did not know what to expect from such a research-oriented Master’s. In just a few days, I found myself rushing to adapt to the expected standards and intense rhythms of the course. On the other hand, I could finally enjoy being allowed (and required) to participate actively in research and discussions, instead of 'just' learning.

Thanks to the small-group seminar context, all of us were encouraged to develop our own ideas and views, with a direct and helpful approach by supervisors and professors. Moreover, we were often engaged in great opportunities, such as international workshops and masterclasses.

Gradually, I was allowed to shape my own interests and disciplinary niche, doing research on personally chosen topics, even when I touched on other fields. Being able to take a tutorial in Amsterdam, and during my experience abroad in Bologna, I could clearly evaluate the tools and 'extra drive' I had acquired in Utrecht.

Under the guidance of my supervisors, I was able to move amongst diverse interests, finalising a thesis that attempted to connect the humanities and natural sciences. Thanks to their support, I am now a PhD student in Systematic Musicology at the University of Cologne, with a deeply interdisciplinary approach, with co-supervisors from Lund University (in Cognitive Semiotics) and Hokkaido University (in Phenomenology).

All in all, it was a highly demanding experience, but just as much a rewarding, instructive and formative one. It truly pushed me towards being involved and responsible, revealing what it means to approach the academia and strengthening my desire to take a further step with a PhD."