MSc Music, Mind & Brain

Goldsmiths, University of London

This unique programme combines music psychology with neuroscience, focusing on both the biological and cognitive aspects of musical behaviour.The MSc Music, Mind and Brain (MMB) is highly interdisciplinary and draws on expertise from leading figures in the field, in areas ranging from music cognition, cognitive neuroscience, empirical aesthetics, big data, computational modelling, music education and music therapy.As a student on the MSc, you will learn about topics in music psychology and the cognitive neuroscience of music, and will acquire all the necessary skills to pursue your own high-quality research.We offer a range of research projects, drawing on a variety of approaches: behavioural, computational, neuroscientific. Students are also invited to propose a project of their own choice, providing appropriate supervision can be offered.If a student has a contact with an external supervisor, it may be possible to arrange for project supervision outside Goldsmiths with the involvement of a faculty member as co-supervisor.The following projects, conducted by past students on the MMB programme, exemplify the range of approaches and questions that can be addressed in the final year project:A longitudinal flow state study comparing professional musicians and visual artistsExploring the neural correlates of music-induced awe experiences using VR and EEGDoes human-AI collaboration spark music creativity?Studying rhythm and executive function in toddlersStudying melody cognition through online singing experimentsAre abilities for music and maths really related?Music plagiarism and simulating the evolution of melodiesCan imagery-based interventions reduce music performance anxiety?Studying cross-cultural similarities and differences in music listening behaviour using big music data from ShazamAtypical processing of pitch: a behavioural and electrophysiological exploration of the effects of autism traits and musical trainingSensorimotor synchronisation of non-nutritive sucking to an auditory tempo in term infantsExploring absolute pitch in children and young people with visual impairment.

Psychology