Topic outline

  • Course description

    This course will begin by exploring practices and research from the fields of music, therapy, public health, and medicine, to rigorously explore the relationship between music, health and wellbeing. 

     As well as engaging in the academic debate around music, health, and wellbeing the course will develop a working knowledge and understanding of the musical practices available to medical and music practitioners, and to their potential uses in a breadth of health care settings.

    This course then builds on the foundational exploration of music, health and wellbeing to develop community music based project design and implementation skills working in conjunction with the NHS Grampian Public Engagement team. Successful projects will have the opportunity to be brought to life in live settings following the completion of the course.  

    No previous music experience necessary


    Course coordinator Mr Chris Gray  chris.gray@abdn.ac.uk

    • What skills will I develop?

      Intended learning outcomes

      Demonstrate how the Medical or Musical Practitioners apply a critical understanding of principal theories, concepts and principles in a range of community and educational settings.


      Demonstrate and work with an understanding of the scope and defining features of the Music, Health, and Wellbeing field and an integrated knowledge of its main areas and boundaries.


      Apply knowledge, skills and understanding using range of professional skills, techniques, practices and materials associated with community music. Practise routine methods of enquiry/research.


      Undertake critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of ideas, concepts information and issues in Music, Health and Wellbeing contexts, settings and practices.


      Exercise autonomy and initiative in a range of design and implementation activities at a professional level in preparing for and engaging in practice.


      The ability to articulate an understanding of defining features of this course’s content within Music, Health, and Wellbeing contexts.




      • What will the timetable look like?

        2x 2hr lectures weekly

        2x 1 hr seminar weekly


        • How will I be assessed?

          Presentation (core research project) 25mins (40%)


          Essay (1000 words linking duty of care to the public engagement project) (30%)


          Poster Presentation (public engagement project) 15mins (30%)


          • What did previous students think?

            This course is a new 30 credit option 23-24

            However this will run alongside ME33MU 15 credit option and you can find student view on that couse on the 15 credit course menu


            • Useful links