Dr. Jacob Olley

Assistant Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Jacob Olley. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Jacob Olley is a Research Associate at the Faculty of Music, University of Cambridge, focusing on the Ottoman Auralities project, which investigates the intersections of music and culture in the late Ottoman Empire. With a PhD in Music from King’s College London, he has researched the modern Armenian notation and its impact on cultural history. His academic journey includes a BA and MMus in Ethnomusicology from SOAS, University of London. Olley has worked on significant projects, including a critical edition of Near Eastern Music Manuscripts funded by the German Research Foundation. His research interests delve into the global history of music, particularly examining discussions in Turkish-language periodicals from the late Ottoman period and the role of music as a social historical critique. He emphasizes the contributions of Ottoman intellectuals in shaping perspectives on musical universality amidst rising nationalism and pan-Islamism. Olley's approach blends performance and academic research, especially regarding the interpretation of historical Ottoman music.

Research Interests

Experience

Research Associate

— Present

University of Cambridge • Cambridge, UK

Research project focusing on music discussions in Turkish-language periodicals during the final decades of the Ottoman Empire.

Temporary Lecturer

— Present

University of Kassel • Kassel, Germany

Lectured on Ethnomusicology.

Research Associate

— Present

University of Münster • Münster, Germany

Worked on the Corpus Musicae Ottomanicae project, focusing on critical editions of music manuscripts.

Requirements for University of Cambridge

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.7
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:25
Reading
Required:25
Writing
Required:25
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:110
Prerequisites
UK Bachelor's Degree with good Upper Second Class Honours or international equivalent Background in international relations, politics, law, economics, security or history is a definite asset
Application Checklist
  • Two academic references
  • Official transcripts
  • CV/Resume
  • Personal statement (approx 500 words)
  • Research proposal (1-2 pages/500 words)
  • Application fee (£50)
Specialization Notes

Standard postgraduate requirements for Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) and related humanities departments.