Mapping Musicology in European Higher Education and Research Institutions

This report examines the position of musicology within European higher education and research, treating the field as an economic and professional sector that spans universities, research institutes, and Higher Music Education Institutions (HMEIs). It first highlights the lack of granular, discipline-specific data in major international statistics and national databases, which complicates any systematic assessment of musicology’s workforce, degree production, and funding. Drawing on questionnaires, desk-based research, and collaborative data collection across COST countries, the study maps institutional structures, staff profiles, and doctoral activity in historical musicology since 2015. It shows that musicology occupies a structurally heterogeneous but widely recognised place across Europe, with great disparities in permanent posts, career pathways, and access to research funding. A substantial section analyses historical musicology within HMEIs, detailing diverse institutional models, curriculum designs, and research configurations, and clarifying how performance-focused environments integrate scholarly work. The report also investigates evolving relationships between universities and HMEIs, especially through artistic or practice-based research and new third-cycle programmes. Case studies from several national contexts illustrate the impact of governance, qualification requirements, and policy frameworks on musicological careers and teaching. Overall, the findings underscore both the vitality and vulnerability of musicology in Europe and argue for better data, stronger coordination, and targeted advocacy to secure the field’s long-term sustainability.