Exploring the influence of formative variables on the motivation of music higher education students

Music students have a very high academic motivation. However, the different challenges they face during the academic process may alter it. The aim of this study is to analyse this construct through the Academic Motivation Scale (EME-E) in a sample of 249 students studying higher music studies in conservatories in Spain and Portugal on the basis of course, speciality, language knowledge and other higher education. The results indicate that students who obtain higher scores in intrinsic motivation study performing specialities; by year, students in the second year are the most motivated, as well as those whose dedication is exclusive to musical studies. It is concluded that the motivation of music students is indeed high, although there are variables related to training that condition it.