Practical and inspiring open days for first year PhD students (including Masters Students planning to continue at PhD level)

The music collections at the British Library are unparalleled in their scope and diversity, providing a wealth of material to aid and inspire researchers and performers. Several million items of printed music and sound recordings across all genres sit alongside original manuscripts and private papers, from Purcell to Panufnik, Monteverdi to Maxwell Davies. Our sound and moving image collections include commercial discs, concert programmes, pop videos and ethnographic field recordings from across the globe. Our Sound Archive includes radio sessions, interviews, documentaries and live performances. The British Library’s music materials are relevant not only to music students, but to students in many other disciplines.

These open days are designed to explain the practicalities of using the Library and its services plus help you navigate our physical and online collections. You will have the opportunity to meet our expert and friendly staff and other researchers in your field.

These events are aimed at first year PhD students who are new to the Library and are designed to explain the practicalities of using the Library and its services plus help you navigate our physical and online collections, as a starting point for your own research.

Each day focuses on a different thematic area of the Library’s collections – just select the one that will be most useful for your research.

View a draft programme for the day [PDF]

Booking is essential

To prepare for the Open Days:

Follow the link in your confirmation email to complete our pre-event survey.

Pre-register for a free Reader Pass

Check the email address you used for booking to receive updated information and timings in the run up to the event.

This Open Day is being held with support from the Royal Musical Association. RMA student members are eligible for a free place and will have been emailed a discount code, to use when booking online via the British Library Website.  To find out more about the RMA or get the code please email researchskills@rma.ac.uk.

Previous Doctoral Open Day attendee

“This was truly excellent” 

“It was a stimulating day with lots of ideas and useful to meet the other students”

“I feel a lot more confident about using the BL in the future”

Details