Performing Arts Medicine MSc

This distance-learning MSc Performing Arts Medicine provides specialised training for health professionals to work with musicians, dancers, actors, circus artists and other performers. This is currently the only single Master's degree that brings together all elements of performing arts medicine. Study on a full-time, part-time, or flexible basis towards a master's in performing arts medicine or a postgraduate diploma. The programme includes two residential weeks on campus at UCL. Assessing and treating a performing artist requires specialised skills, and the ability to associate health issues with specific artistic activities. This programme is for people in health services or health education and research who want to enter the diverse field of performing arts medicine. You will gain knowledge of the art forms, their demands on the performer, and how these demands impact their physical and mental wellbeing. The course covers a review of the musculoskeletal system as this applies to performing activities, the occupational risks in performance, and the issues related to performance psychology and artists' mental health. You will also delve into dance, circus, instrumental music and voice performance science, explore health promotion within the arts, and learn how chronic pain and disability can affect performance artists. MSc students also undertake a research project leading to a written dissertation on a relevant performing arts medicine topic. This is currently the only MSc PGDip that brings together all elements of performing arts medicine into a single master’s degree. It is a distance-learning course with two residential weeks on-campus at UCL. The course can be studied full-time in one year, part-time in two years, or flexibly over five years. The research part of the course is supported by the Institute of Sport Exercise and Health, and the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine, as well as orchestras, theatre and circus companies, and music, drama and dance colleges. This programme is suitable if you have a background in medicine, physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic medicine, manual medicine, nursing, sports therapy, athletic training, or biomedical sciences. If you are trained in another field, we will review your application individually. If you are a health professional who wants to gain a foundation in this area before progressing to this MSc Diploma, a distance learning PGCert is also available. With our distance-learning delivery, you will be part of a cohort from all over the world and benefit from the culture and wealth of experience this brings. When you graduate, you will join an international alumni community, with academic bonds spanning many countries. If you are a health professional who wants to gain a foundation in this area before progressing to this MSc Diploma, a distance learning PGCert (60 credits) is also available. PGCert students may upgrade to MSc PGDip at a later year. This programme is also available on a modular (flexible) basis, with a duration of 5 calendar years.

A primary medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent) or a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university in a relevant discipline (e.g. medicine, physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, nursing, sports science, biomedical sciences, athletic training) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. A second-class Bachelor's degree (or the overseas equivalent) in psychology, speech therapy, or performance science is also acceptable for the PG Cert.