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Musical Composition PhD/ MA by Research (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

Annual tuition fee 2024 entry: UK: £4,786 full-time, £2,393 part-time International: £21,840 full-time; £10,920 part-time (distance learning only) More detail .

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Our research degree in composition aims to foster your skills as you navigate an exciting new musical world, which combines tradition and innovation, bringing together instruments and the latest in high technology.

On this programme, you can create musical and sonic artworks using electroacoustics and computer technology, traditional (and not so traditional) instrumental and vocal composition, or a combination of these aspects. Projects involving interactive systems, multimedia, and sound installations are also welcome, and you are encouraged to find your own individual path.

Virtual Open Day: Postgraduate opportunities in Music - 28 April 2020, 12:00-13:00

Take part in our online chat where Dr Luis-Manuel Garcia will be answering your questions about postgraduate study in Music at Birmingham.

Find out more and register

Music scholarships available

The College of Arts and Law is offering a number of scholarships for postgraduate research students in Music. Open to students pursuing any of our Music PhD/MA by Research pathways, the awards vary in value and applications are now open.

Find out more and apply now

AHRC funding for PhD students

The University of Birmingham is part of the Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership (M4C), offering Arts and Humanities Research Council PhD studentships for campus-based programmes. These include a number of Collaborative Doctoral Award opportunities. Each studentship includes research fees, a substantial maintenance grant and additional research training support. Applications are open until 12:00 (noon), 13 January 2021.

Find out more

Scholarships for 2024 entry

The University of Birmingham is proud to offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate programmes. With a scholarship pot worth over £2 million, we are committed to alleviating financial barriers to support you in taking your next steps.

Each scholarship has its own specific deadlines and eligibility criteria. Please familiarise yourself with the information on individual scholarship webpages prior to submitting an application.

Explore our scholarships

The Department of Music offers two options for postgraduate research, whether you are looking to complete your academic studies with a PhD or to pursue Masters-level research following an undergraduate degree in a related field.

Both the PhD and MA by Research require you to attend a Departmental training programme as and both are assessed on the submission of a portfolio of compositions, but these differ between the two programmes:

MA by Research – the portfolio should have a total duration of between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the nature and size of the forces used, to be agreed with the supervisor. For those following this programme, it is possible to upgrade to a PhD.

PhD – this substantial portfolio (approximately 90 minutes in duration) should display a suitable range of genres and resources to be agreed by the supervisor, which is not derivative, and which satisfies the examiners that it contains original work that is worthy of performance at a professional level and also worthy of publication.

At Birmingham, Postgraduate Taught and Postgraduate Research students also have the opportunity to learn graduate academic languages free of charge, to support your studies.

• Graduate School Language Skills

To find out more about this programme and make an enquiry you can contact Ryan Latimer , your Admissions Tutor.

The facilities at the Birmingham ElectroAcoustic Sound Theatre (BEAST) are some of the best in the UK. My supervisors give me the freedom to have fun with my research portfolio and there are regular opportunities to get more involved with department events and teaching. Nikki

Why study this course?

• Workshops and visiting performers : The Department of Music is host to a range of ensembles and activities which provide workshop and performance opportunities for postgraduate students. For example, the Department hosts workshops with the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (our ‘Ensemble in Association’), while the Department’s New Music Ensemble has a history of presenting student works. We also offer other workshops with visiting performers and ensembles (e.g. Fidelio Trio, Bozzini Quartet, Ligeti Quartet in recent years). Students have the opportunity to work with the internationally recognised BEAST system (Birmingham ElectroAcoustic Sound Theatre; arguably the best system of its type in the world) which also presents student works in concerts with up to 100 loudspeakers in Birmingham and when possible abroad (e.g. Berlin, Copenhagen, Basel).  Opportunities for workshops and performances vary from year to year, and spaces available are limited, so the Department cannot guarantee that all applicants will be accommodated for any given opportunity. The Department runs an open call which aims to allocate places fairly, although some workshops or activities are associated with particular modules, and students enrolled on those may be prioritised. Students interested in instrumental composition workshops should expect to be offered a place at least once in their studies.
• Excellent opportunities : Our postgraduate laptop ensemble, the Birmingham Ensemble for Electroacoustic Research (BEER), provides opportunities to explore advanced aspects of live electroacoustic performance such as controller integration, network music, and live coding.
• World-leading research : The University of Birmingham is ranked equal 10th in the UK amongst Russell Group universities in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 according to the Times Higher Education
• Scholarship opportunities : The Department has generous scholarship funding to cover fees and/or maintenance costs in cases of appropriate attainment. You can find out more on our College funding and scholarships page.

The postgraduate experience

The College of Arts and Law offers excellent support to its postgraduates, from libraries and research spaces, to careers support and funding opportunities. Learn more about your postgraduate experience .

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2024 entry are as follows:

• UK: £4,786 full-time; £2,393 part-time *
• International: £21,840 full-time; £10,920 part-time (distance learning only)

The same fees apply to both campus-based and distance learning study. The distance learning programme also includes one fully-funded visit to campus in the first year of study.

The above fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

* For UK postgraduate research students the University fee level is set at Research Council rates and as such is subject to change. The final fee will be announced by Research Councils UK in spring 2024.

Eligibility for UK or international fees can be verified with Admissions. Learn more about fees for international students .

Paying your fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding .

How To Apply

Application deadlines.

Postgraduate research can start at any time during the year, but it is important to allow time for us to review your application and communicate a decision. If you wish to start in September 2024, we would recommend that you aim to submit your application and supporting documents by 1 June 2024.

If the programme has a Distance learning option then students will usually attend a residential visit in September or January, and those students wishing to attend the September residential are also encouraged to apply by 1 June 2024. The visit will take place at the end of September/beginning of October and you will receive further details once you have accepted your offer.

Six steps to apply for our Postgraduate Research courses

Do you have an idea for an interesting research project? You can follow our six easy steps to apply to study for our postgraduate research courses . These include guidance on identifying funding opportunities and writing your research proposal .

Please also see our additional guidance for  applicants to the PhD Distance Learning study mode .

Please note: While our PhD programmes are normally studied in three years full-time or six years part-time, and Masters-level research programmes one year full-time or two years part-time, many programmes have a longer length listed in course or funding applications. This is because the course length is defined as the maximum period of registration, which includes a period of supervised study plus a thesis awaited period. The maximum period of registration for a full-time PhD is four years (three years supervision plus one year thesis awaited). For a full-time Masters-level research programme, it is two years (one year supervision plus one year thesis awaited). For part-time programmes, the periods are double the full-time equivalent.

• How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page . Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Our Standard Requirements

Applicants must submit sample compositional work in the form of scores and/or recordings (as appropriate to specialty). These can be submitted by mail, or (preferably) electronically, using wetransfer or similar or a weblink.

Our requirements for postgraduate research are dependent on the type of programme you are applying for:

• For MA by Research programmes, entry to our programmes usually requires a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree in Music or a related subject, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK.
• If you are applying for a PhD then you will usually also need to hold a good Masters qualification in Music or a related subject.

Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience you may have are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements.

If you are applying for distance learning research programmes, you will also be required to demonstrate that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning.

If your qualifications are non-standard or different from the entry requirements stated here, please contact the admissions tutor.

International Requirements

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 14/20 from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Argentinian university, with a promedio of at least 7.5, may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent

Applicants who hold a Masters degree will be considered for admission to PhD study.

Holders of a good four-year Diplomstudium/Magister or a Masters degree from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a good 5-year Specialist Diploma or 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan, with a minimum GPA of 4/5 or 80% will be considered for entry to postgraduate taught programmes at the University of Birmingham.

For postgraduate research programmes applicants should have a good 5-year Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991), with a minimum grade point average of 4/5 or 80%, from a recognised higher education institution or a Masters or “Magistr Diplomu” or “Kandidat Nauk” from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0-3.3/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold a Masters degree from the University of Botswana with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (70%/B/'very good') will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Please note 4-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education. 5-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree.

Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

A Licenciatura or Bacharelado degree from a recognised Brazilian university:

• A grade of 7.5/10 for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement
• A grade of 6.5/10for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement

Holders of a good Bachelors degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good post-2001 Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a minimum average of 14 out of 20 (or 70%) on a 4-year Licence, Bachelor degree or Diplôme d'Etudes Superieures de Commerce (DESC) or Diplôme d'Ingénieur or a Maîtrise will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Canadian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A GPA of 3.0/4, 7.0/9 or 75% is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1.

Holders of the Licenciado or equivalent Professional Title from a recognised Chilean university will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD study will preferably hold a Magister degree or equivalent.

Students with a bachelor’s degree (4 years minimum) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. However please note that we will only consider students who meet the entry guidance below.  Please note: for the subject areas below we use the Shanghai Ranking 2022 (full table)  ,  Shanghai Ranking 2023 (full table) , and Shanghai Ranking of Chinese Art Universities 2023 .

需要具备学士学位（4年制）的申请人可申请研究生课程。请根据所申请的课程查看相应的入学要求。 请注意，中国院校名单参考 软科中国大学排名2022（总榜） ，  软科中国大学排名2023（总榜） ，以及 软科中国艺术类高校名单2023 。  

Business School    - MSc programmes (excluding MBA)  

商学院硕士课程（MBA除外）入学要求

School of Computer Science – all MSc programmes 计算机学院硕士课程入学要求

College of Social Sciences – courses listed below 社会科学 学院部分硕士课程入学要求 MA Education  (including all pathways) MSc TESOL Education MSc Public Management MA Global Public Policy MA Social Policy MA Sociology Department of Political Science and International Studies  全部硕士课程 International Development Department  全部硕士课程

  All other programmes (including MBA)   所有其他 硕士课程（包括 MBA）入学要求

Please note:

• Borderline cases: We may consider students with lower average score (within 5%) on a case-by-case basis if you have a relevant degree and very excellent grades in relevant subjects and/or relevant work experience. 如申请人均分低于相应录取要求（5%以内），但具有出色学术背景，优异的专业成绩，以及（或）相关的工作经验，部分课程将有可能单独酌情考虑。
• Please contact the China Recruitment Team for any questions on the above entry requirements. 如果您对录取要求有疑问，请联系伯明翰大学中国办公室   [email protected]

Holders of the Licenciado/Professional Title from a recognised Colombian university will be considered for our Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent.

Holders of a good bachelor degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Bacclaureus (Bachelors) from a recognised Croatian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 4.0 out of 5.0, vrlo dobar ‘very good’, or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree(from the University of the West Indies or the University of Technology) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A Class II Upper Division degree is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1. For further details on particular institutions please refer to the list below.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Masters degree or Mphil from the University of the West Indies.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, or a GPA of 3 out of 4, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalár from a recognised Czech Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, velmi dobre ‘very good’ (post-2004) or 2, velmi dobre ‘good’ (pre-2004), or a good post-2002 Magistr (Masters), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 7-10 out of 12 (or 8 out of 13) or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters/ Magisterkonfereus/Magister Artium degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Ecuadorian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 70% or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Magister/Masterado or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Licenciado with excellent grades can be considered.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalaurusekraad from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 4/5 or B, or a good one- or two-year Magistrikraad from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with very good grades (grade B, 3.5/4 GPA or 85%) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Holders of a good Kandidaatti / Kandidat (old system), a professional title such as Ekonomi, Diplomi-insinööri, Arkkitehti, Lisensiaatti (in Medicine, Dentistry and Vetinary Medicine), or a Maisteri / Magister (new system), Lisensiaatti / Licenciat, Oikeustieteen Kandidaatti / Juris Kandidat (new system) or Proviisori / Provisor from a recognised Finnish Higher Education institution, with a minimum overall grade of 2/3 or 4/5, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters/Maîtrise with a minimum overall grade of 13 out of 20, or a Magistère / Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Specialisées / Mastère Specialis, from a recognised French university or Grande École to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Magister Artium, a Diplom or an Erstes Staatsexamen from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5, or a good two-year Lizentiat / Aufbaustudium / Zweites Staatsexamen or a Masters degree from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good four-year Ptychio (Bachelor degree) with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, from a recognised Greek university (AEI), and will usually be required to have completed a good Metaptychiako Diploma Eidikefsis (Masters degree) from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

4-year Licenciado is deemed equivalent to a UK bachelors degree. A score of 75 or higher from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) can be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 60 is comparable to a UK 2.2.  Private universities have a higher pass mark, so 80 or higher should be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 70 is comparable to a UK 2.2

The Hong Kong Bachelor degree is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard. Students with bachelor degrees awarded by universities in Hong Kong may be considered for entry to one of our postgraduate degree programmes.

Students with Masters degrees may be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Alapfokozat / Alapképzés or Egyetemi Oklevel from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 3.5, or a good Mesterfokozat (Masters degree) or Egyetemi Doktor (university doctorate), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the 4 year Sarjana (S1) from a recognised Indonesian institution will be considered for postgraduate study. Entry requirements vary with a minimum requirement of a GPA of 2.8.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution, with 100 out of 110 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold the Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Students with a Bachelor degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for entry to a postgraduate Masters degree provided they achieve a sufficiently high overall score in their first (Bachelor) degree. A GPA of 3.0/4.0 or a B average from a good Japanese university is usually considered equivalent to a UK 2:1.

Students with a Masters degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for PhD study. A high overall grade will be necessary to be considered.

Students who have completed their Specialist Diploma Мамаң дипломы/Диплом специалиста) or "Magistr" (Магистр дипломы/Диплом магистра) degree (completed after 1991) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate Masters degrees and, occasionally, directly for PhD degrees.  Holders of a Bachelor "Bakalavr" degree (Бакалавр дипломы/Диплом бакалавра) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of  2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, may also be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/50

Holders of a good Postgraduate Diploma (professional programme) from a recognised university or institution of Higher Education, with a minimum overall grade of 7.5 out of 10, or a post-2000 Magistrs, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 16/20 or 80% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Libya will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 70% for 2:1 equivalency or 65% for 2:2 equivalency. Alternatively students will require a minimum of 3.0/4.0 or BB to be considered.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magistras from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, or a good post-2001 Magistras, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, or a Diplôme d'Études Supérieures Spécialisées (comparable to a UK PGDip) or Masters degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (70-74% or A or Marginal Distinction from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 60-69% or B or Bare Distinction/Credit is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Malaysian institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum of 3.0) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from the University of Malta with a minimum grade of 2:1 (Hons), and/or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (Honours) from a recognised institution (including the University of Mauritius) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2:1).

Students who hold the Licenciado/Professional Titulo from a recognised Mexican university with a promedio of at least 8 will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who have completed a Maestria from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree, licence or Maîtrise and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students with a good four year honours degree from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. PhD applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Doctoraal from a recognised Dutch university with a minimum overall grade of 7 out of 10, and/or a good Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of B/Very Good or 1.6-2.5 for a 2.1 equivalency, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters, Mastergrad, Magister. Artium, Sivilingeniør, Candidatus realium or Candidatus philologiae degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0/4 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in the Palestinian Territories will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3/4 or 80% for 2:1 equivalency or a GPA of 2.5/4 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.    

Holders of the Título de Licenciado /Título de (4-6 years) or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Paraguayan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 4/5 or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  The Título Intermedio is a 2-3 year degree and is equivalent to a HNC, it is not suitable for postgraduate entry but holders of this award could be considered for second year undergraduate entry or pre-Masters.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría / Magister or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Título/Grado de Licenciado/a with excellent grades can be considered.

Holders of the Bachiller, Licenciado, or Título Profesional with at least 13/20 may be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría or equivalent qualification.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4 out of 5, dobry ‘good’, and/or a good Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Studiów Podyplomowych (Certificate of Postgraduate Study) or post-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4.5/4+ out of 5, dobry plus 'better than good', will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Licenciado from a recognised university, or a Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) from a recognised Polytechnic Institution, with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, and/or a good Mestrado / Mestre (Masters) from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Romanian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree/Diploma de Master/Diploma de Studii Academice Postuniversitare (Postgraduate Diploma - Academic Studies) or Diploma de Studii Postuniversitare de Specializare (Postgraduate Diploma - Specialised Studies) to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) or Диплом Магистра (Magistr) degree from recognised universities in Russia (minimum GPA of 4.0) will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes/PhD study.

Students who hold a 4-year Bachelor degree with at least 16/20 or 70% will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. A score of 14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2

Students who hold a Bachelor (Honours) degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (or a score of 60-69% or B+) from a well ranked institution will be considered for most our Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees with a 2:1 requirement.

Students holding a good Bachelors Honours degree will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good three-year Bakalár or pre-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, Vel’mi dobrý ‘very good’, and/or a good Inžinier or a post-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (Bachelors degree), Diplomant (Professionally oriented first degree), Univerzitetni diplomant (Academically oriented first degree) or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) from a recognised Slovenian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8.0 out of 10, and/or a good Diploma specializacija (Postgraduate Diploma) or Magister (Masters) will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor Honours degree (also known as Baccalaureus Honores / Baccalaureus Cum Honoribus) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (70%) or a distinction (75%).

Holders of a Masters degree will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelor degree from a recognised South Korean institution (usually with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.5) will be considered for Masters programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 7 out of 10 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or a CGPA 3.30/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Kandidatexamen (Bachelors degree) or Yrkesexamen (Professional Bachelors degree) from a recognised Swedish Higher Education institution with the majority of subjects with a grade of VG (Val godkänd), and/or a good Magisterexamen (Masters degree), International Masters degree or Licentiatexamen (comparable to a UK Mphil), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good "PostGraduate Certificate" or "PostGraduate Diploma" or a Masters degree from a recognised Swiss higher education institution (with a minimum GPA of 5/6 or 8/10 or 2/5 (gut-bien-bene/good) for a 2.1 equivalence) may be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bachelor degree (from 75% to 85% depending upon the university in Taiwan) from a recognised institution will be considered for postgraduate Masters study. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for entry to our postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree or Mphil from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a Bachelors degree from the following universities may be considered for entry to postgraduate programmes:

• Ateneo de Manila University - Quezon City
• De La Salle University - Manila
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the Philippines - Diliman

Students from all other institutions with a Bachelors and a Masters degree or relevant work experience may be considered for postgraduate programmes.

Grading Schemes

1-5 where 1 is the highest 2.1 = 1.75 2.2 = 2.25 

Out of 4.0 where 4 is the highest 2.1 = 3.0 2.2 = 2.5

Letter grades and percentages 2.1 = B / 3.00 / 83% 2.2 = C+ / 2.5 / 77%

Holders of a postdoctoral qualification from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.  Students may be considered for PhD study if they have a Masters from one of the above listed universities.

Holders of a Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a Yuksek Diplomasi from a recognised university will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (2.1) or GPA of 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree / Диплом бакалавра (Dyplom Bakalavra), Диплом спеціаліста (Specialist Diploma) or a Dyplom Magistra from a recognised Ukrainian higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 4.0/5.0, 3.5/4, 8/12 or 80% or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

• 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement 
• 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement 

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.

Holders of the Magistr Diplomi (Master's degree) or Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), awarded by prestigious universities, who have attained high grades in their studies will be considered for postgraduate study.  Holders of the Fanlari Nomzodi (Candidate of Science), where appropriate, will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of the Licenciatura/Título or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Venezuelan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Scales of 1-5, 1-10 and 1-20 are used, an overall score of 70% or equivalent can be considered equivalent to a UK 2.1.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Maestria or equivalent qualification

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Vietnamese institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum GPA of 7.0 and above) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.  Holders of a Masters degree (thac si) will be considered for entry to PhD programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or a mark of 2.0/2.5 (A) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a good Bachelor Honours degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Please contact a staff member working in your area of interest in the first instance. A summary of our key research areas, and staff working within those, can be found below.

• Musical Composition
• Musical Performance Practice

The University of Birmingham is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits, according to The Graduate Market 2024 report .

Your degree will provide excellent preparation for your future career, but this can also be enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University and the College of Arts and Law.

The University's Careers Network  provides expert guidance and activities especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated  careers and employability team  who offer tailored advice and a programme of College-specific careers events.

You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:

• Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
• Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
• Attend an annual programme of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
• Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV

What’s more, you will be able to access our full range of careers support for up to 2 years after graduation.

Postgraduate employability: Music

Birmingham's Music postgraduates work in a wide range of careers within and beyond the music world. A postgraduate degree in Music develops a broad base of skills including general skills such as communication, problem solving and research, and also specific skills developed by practice and performance such as self-management, team work and presentation.

• Online chat events
• Ask our students

Top 10 Best Online Doctoral Programs in Music

Fortunately, distance learning is picking up the slack. These ten programs—each offered by a university that holds U.S. regional accreditation or its country’s equivalent—provide options to travelers, the disabled, residents of isolated cities and rural areas, and others who are willing and able to complete doctoral-level study in music but can’t (or would prefer not to) participate in an on-campus program.

1. Boston University, Online DMA in Music Education

Boston University’s new online Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)  in music education allows music educators to obtain a degree, off-campus, from one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. Applicants must hold an accredited master’s degree in music, music education, or a closely related field with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher, along with at least 3 years of music teaching experience at some level. The curriculum consists of six major-area courses, three additional courses on musicology and music theory, three approved electives, and a dissertation.

By choosing elective courses wisely, students can create their own specialization tracks. A student who wishes to specialize in African-American music, for example, could take electives on the blues, jazz, and African music. The program takes several years to complete, and may require several short on-campus residencies.

2. University of South Africa, DLitt et Phil in Musicology

With more than 400,000 students all over the world, the University of South Africa is both the largest and the least expensive university on this list. It’s also among the oldest. Boasting both Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela among its graduates, UNISA has been offering distance learning courses since 1873. Like most universities that offer British-style research doctorates, UNISA requires applicants to complete a research project under the supervision of a member of the faculty; the D.Litt. et Phil. program in musicology  typically takes three to six years to complete. Applicants must hold a master’s degree in music or the equivalent.

There are two tracks available for the research project: research-only, and research plus portfolio. The research-only project requires an academic dissertation of 60,000 to 90,000 words, while the research plus portfolio option requires a portfolio of original written compositions contextualized by an academic thesis of 24,000 to 36,000 words. The degree can be completed entirely by distance learning from anywhere in the world, and no on-campus visits are required.

3. Monash University, Ph.D. in Music Composition

Located in Victoria on the southeastern coast of Australia, Monash University is one of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight  and has long been noted for its strength as a research institution. Founded in 1958, and with more than 50,000 students, it’s one of the more widely respected universities in Australia.

It also offers a wide range of distance learning programs, among them a Ph.D. in music composition  that can be done with almost no on-campus residency. Students must visit face-to-face with their supervisor for at least five days each year, but these meetings need not necessarily take place on campus (though they generally do); the rest of the communication may take place by telephone, mail, email, or videoconferencing.

Students are required to write an academic thesis of up to 80,000 words, and can finish the program after as little as three years of full-time study. The student’s previously-written work, including prior musical compositions, may comprise some—but not all—of the thesis matter.

4. University of Birmingham, Ph.D. in Musicology

Founded as a medical school in 1828, Britain’s University of Birmingham was rated #1 in Britain by the *Times Higher Education* supplement in 2014. It is among the most prestigious research universities in the country, and its music department, whose resources include the Barber Music Library, is world-class.

Birmingham’s Ph.D. in musicology  can be completed in three to six years. Students are required to write a supervised academic thesis of about 80,000 words, and must visit the campus at least three times during the program; the rest can be completed entirely by distance learning.

5. Union Institute & University, customized Ph.D.

Union offers one of the oldest regionally accredited distance learning Ph.D. programs  in the United States, and it is also among the most unconventional. Students work with cohort groups to design a specialized major on a specific topic that interests them, and then work through a series of individualized classes culminating in a supervised final project supervised by a university-approved expert in the field. The program requires short residencies at regional seminars and cohort sessions that are held at a variety of locations spread throughout the world (though most are held in the United States).

As a practical matter, the Union program is a good fit for someone who wishes to specialize on a highly specialized or interdisciplinary music-related topic, but specifically seeks a U.S. credential (or simply prefers more guidance and camaraderie than what might be available in a British, South African, or Australian research-oriented program).

6. University of Southern Queensland, Ph.D. in Creative Arts and Media

The University of Southern Queensland has long been recognized as a global leader in distance education, and its distance learning Ph.D. program  in creative arts and media can easily be tailored to a specific music-related research interest. Residency is negotiated on a case by case basis.

7. The Open University, Ph.D. in Music

Residents of the UK are eligible to sign up for the Open University’s research-based Ph.D. in music by distance learning  on a part-time basis. Non-UK residents are sometimes accepted on a case-by-case basis, if they live near an affiliated research center and/or can travel to the Open University campus in Milton Keynes, but this is not commonly done.

The OU, which is a public university and funded by the British government, boasts over 165,000 students and over two million graduates; it is one of the largest distance learning providers in the world.

8. Lesley University, Ph.D. in Expressive Therapies [music therapy]

Lesley University’s low-residency Ph.D. in expressive therapies  allows students to focus on a music therapy track, spending a total of nine weeks on campus (broken up into three three-week summer residencies) and completing the rest of the program online. Students spend the first three years of the program on coursework, and then a final year or two on a dissertation.

9. University of Winchester, D.C.A. in Performing Arts

Winchester’s low-residency D.C.A. in performing arts , designed with working professionals in mind, can be completed in five to seven years. Students are required to attend two short September intensive residencies, but the program can otherwise be completed online. The curriculum is highly individualized and can be easily tailored to musical performance.

10. Liberty University, Doctor of Worship Studies

Liberty University, founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, offers a wide array of online and low-residency programs designed for Protestant Christian religious leaders. The low-residency Doctor of Worship Studies (D.W.S.)  can be completed almost entirely online (though students must take three week-long intensives on the university’s campus in Virginia over the course of the program), and the curriculum provides a broad overview of the theology and practice of church music.

Anything We’ve Missed?

If you know of any other distance learning doctoral programs in music offered by accredited, nonprofit universities, please let me know below the fold; I might feature them in a followup piece.

3 thoughts on “Top 10 Best Online Doctoral Programs in Music”

Leroy, do you know much about this D.M.E online program? Are you a student there? I need to speak with a student of this program.

Monash U does NOT offer PhD in Music Composition

Liberty University also offers a Doctorate in Music Education. (DME) online

Leave a Comment

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• Postgraduate

Composition (distance learning) MMus

• Course detail & modules

Entry requirements

• Fees & funding
• Study & career progression

The MMus Composition (distance learning) course sits at the heart of the London College of Music.

It represents a creative hub for innovative, forward-thinking musical minds that, in the spirit of practice-as-research, join practical composition and academic inquiry.

Through an exploration of sophisticated compositional techniques, advanced orchestration, and audio-MIDI production, this composition course enables you to specialise in music composition, while providing an insight into 21st-century practices and ideas.

Study Options

This is a distance-learning course which is studied online - please see Delivery Method section for more information. Additionally, we also offer a campus-based (West London) version of  MMus Composition.

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Composition (distance learning) with us?

What our students say…

My university experience was vibrant and exciting, especially getting the opportunity to meet a variety of students who were studying on different courses. The course has given me a great opportunity for work and experience for the future.

Course detail & modules

The music composition course gives you excellent opportunities to develop your technical abilities in the fields of composition and orchestration, offering the possibility to collaborate with internationally known ensembles towards the recording and production of your work.

Such opportunities intend to enable you to strengthen and refine your own artistic voice and expand your musical and dramatic vocabulary.

Similarly, the course offers studio-based work, as well as an exploration of audio and MIDI programming, which you will be able to implement in your own applied compositions, including electro-acoustic, screen, theatre, and other collaborative types of work.

Alongside practical exploration, the MMus Composition (Distance Learning) offers the opportunity to broaden your scholarly knowledge in a variety of composition-related subject areas, such as score analysis, conducting, and interdisciplinary applications, enabling you to converge your academic research towards a supervised Masters project.

Delivery method

The music composition degree is taught through a threefold delivery method, featuring live online classes, pre-recorded video lessons, and written ancillary readings to be explored in own time; these latter include insights, academic readings, and practical exercises. Our highly experienced, award-winning, internationally acclaimed staff will guide you through both learning activities and assessment tasks, encouraging a sense of artistic experimentation in the respect of classical, established traditions.

Requirements and other information

Being a distance learning course, students are required to have their own computer and access to a suitable internet connection. All students must have on their computers notation software (e.g. Sibelius, Dorico, etc.), audio editing and recording software (e.g. Logic, Cubase, ProTools), and a traditional text writing/editing software (e.g. Word, Pages, etc.). Also, it might be useful if students procure sound/instrumental samples; further advice on this can be provided by relevant lecturers.

Should students have specific technical questions, these can be addressed to the Course Leader, relevant Lecturers, and the University’s Media Resource Centre. Library access will take place online through both Blackboard and the Library’s webpage. UWL Library features online books, e-Journals, and (in line with relevant copyrights) scanned copies of physical books. All students will be assigned a personal tutor who will provide pastoral support throughout the course if needed.

Guests, Partners, and Networking Opportunities

Our well-known Composers’ Workshop programme offers the opportunity to meet, discover, and collaborate with some of today’s leading composers, musicians and academics.

A wide variety of visiting artists regularly delivers seminars and workshops aimed at both presenting new cutting-edge works and discussing students’ compositions.

Some of our visiting artists and partners have included:

• Errollyn Wallen , concert composer
• Peter Fribbins , concert composer
• Rosabella Gregory , singer-songwriter composer
• Richard Jacques , video game composer
• Paul Barker , theatre composer
• Marco Biscarini , film composer
• Dominic Sewell , film composer
• Tom Harrison , film composer
• Gabriele Baldocci , concert pianist
• Alda Dizdari , concert violinist
• Gabriella Dall’Olio , harpist
• Kate Symonds-Joy , mezzo-soprano singer
• Chanan Hanspal , jazz-rock guitarist
• Valentina Ciardelli , double bass player
• Ligeti String Quartet
• Mifune Tsuji Trio
• Southwark International Music Festival
• Soundings Festival
• Orchestra Vitae
• London Guitar Festival
• Phacelia Ensemble

Compulsory modules

Practical composition 1.

The Practical Composition modules (1 and 2) aim to consolidate and develop advanced compositional techniques, facilitating the learning of skills required of the contemporary professional composer. Alongside an exploration of contemporary compositional ideas, a variety of 20th and 21st-century aesthetics, and sophisticated techniques, you will consider and analyse a number of case studies within which conceptual ideas and compositional practices mutually reflect and support one another; an aspect that will support your practice-as-research investigations.

You will be taught through one-to-one tutorials, seminars and workshops. The one-to-one sessions will give you the opportunity to develop your own portfolio and discuss your compositional work, techniques and ideas with one of our experts, who will support and encourage your artistic and pragmatic thinking.

You will work towards the submission of a portfolio of diverse compositional exercises that fulfil the requirements of the appropriate syllabus.

Practical Composition 2

You will be taught through tutorials, seminars and workshops. The one-to-one sessions will give you the opportunity not only to develop your own portfolio but also to discuss your compositional work, techniques and ideas with one of our experts, who will support and encourage your artistic and pragmatic thinking.

Differently from Practical Composition 1, Practical Composition 2 will allow you to consider your final portfolio in relation to your future career, encouraging you to reflect on the possible industry routes and networking opportunities that better suit the artistic and practical nature of your compositional work.

Professional Orchestration and Arrangement

Building upon your prior knowledge and experience of writing for orchestral instruments, this module will give you the opportunity to both further develop your orchestration and arranging skills and give you an insight into the process(es) of orchestrating according to Midi tracks and handwritten sketches.

This will allow you not only to exercise and enhance your technical abilities as an orchestrator but will also give you an insight into the technicalities of the profession; a profession in which you might be commissioned to orchestrate from handwritten or Midi sketches.

At the same time, this module will enable you to explore a variety of styles, giving you the opportunity to create pastiche works that match the aesthetics, techniques and procedures of established composers/orchestrators.

Audio and MIDI Production

This module is designed to provide you with music programming skills in audio, MIDI recording and editing, and to lead to the electronic delivery of two contrasting assignments suitable for broadcast in the professional environment.

The academic written element underpins this work by providing students with the necessary literature surrounding musical programming in current work settings.

Music Score Production

You will study the conventions and responsibilities of professional practice in your area of specialism including briefs, deadlines, layout, presentation, conducting, rehearsal and recording or performance. This module will give technical support to your work in original composition. It will provide key skills essential to the professional composer working in today’s music industry.

As part of this module, you will consider, discuss, and put into practice a number of pragmatic aspects related to the production of music within a studio environment/situation. This will include the production of professionally generated scores and parts, liaising with collaborators, conducting your own work for recording, and presenting your own ideas to the musicians and collaborators involved in studio work.

This module will enable you to gain the professional knowledge and skills needed by the contemporary composer/orchestrator within the current industry, allowing you to develop a concrete insight into the dynamics of studio production.

Research Methods

The purpose of this module is to train you in research methods and critical methodology as preparation for undertaking research and is designed to support and advance the project work produced during the rest of your study through a developed investigation of research methods.

You will define, articulate and critically reflect upon the research concerns of your own practice during this unit, thereby underpinning and enhancing your knowledge and understanding of the chosen field of study, as well as developing your ability to communicate this in a variety of ways. This will enable you to develop your writing and analytical skills.

This module will feature some composition-specific sessions dedicated to MMus Composition and MMus Composition for Film and TV students. Such dedicated sessions will concentrate on the interplay between creative practice and academic research, allowing a sophisticated exploration of practice-as-research – and more specifically of composition-as-research – as a paramount mode of practice that juxtaposes and combines creative and scholarly thinking.

Masters Project

This module aims to strengthen students’ practical and musical thinking through scholarly research and critical reflection. It provides the opportunity for students to deal with and convey complex ideas in systematic and independent ways, by encouraging them to formulate and propose new concepts and practices that can directly relate to their own compositional work.

Ultimately, the module invites students to consider the notion of composition-as-research, a paramount mode of practice that juxtaposes and combines creative and scholarly thinking.

The module will be delivered through a mixture of live online classes (group tuitions and one-to-one supervisions), pre-recorded video lessons, and written ancillary reading to be explored in own time, such as academic readings, insights, and practical exercises.

• Requirements: UK
• Requirements: International
• an honours degree (2:2 or above) in music, music technology or a related subject
• advanced musical knowledge
• a portfolio of degree level or professional work including at least two notated scores
• a written statement.

We may also offer you a place based on relevant experience or training, normally from within the work environment. All applications are considered individually.

Find out more about our processes for recognising previous experience .

We look for students who show enthusiasm and a passion for the subject through previous study or professional experience.

If you have any questions about the relevance of your qualifications or experience please contact the course leader shown in the teaching staff.

You need to meet our English language requirement of 6.5 overall score for IELTS, with a minimum of 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents .

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements. Find out more about our English Language courses .

You will also need advanced musical knowledge, and will be asked to provide us with:

• a portfolio of degree level or professional work
• a written statement

Fees & funding

• Funding: UK
• Funding: International

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

If you are studying a Masters course you may be eligible to apply for a  Postgraduate Loan , this may help contribute towards your course fees and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries , including awards for specific subjects.

Awards for music students are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs .

Teaching staff

Dr Simone Spagnolo

I am a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for Composition at the London College of Music. I have composed music for concerts, theatre, opera, ballet, film and multimedia. My music has been performed in internationally known venues and festivals such as London's Royal Festival Hall, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Birmingham Conservatoire, Stanford University, LA's Aratani Theatre, Budapest's Liszt Academy and Hong Kong's Yuen Long Theatre.

Professor David Osbon

Dr Litha Efthymiou

Jan Willem de With

Dr Bartosz Szafranski

Study & career progression

There is a wide range of potential careers and jobs for music composition graduates. Once you graduate, you could go on to be a:

• sound editor  
• copyist  
• arranger  
• composer  
• sound designer  
• music director.

Additionally, you could also choose to advance your studies with either a PhD or DMus .

How to apply

• How to apply: UK
• How to apply: International

You can apply online at any time by following the link below.

Our application form will ask you for some information about:

• what you want to study
• your previous qualifications or experience
• your references 
• how we can contact you.

Want to ask us a question first? We would love to hear from you. Contact us free on:

• 0800 036 8888
• [email protected]

Apply for this course

Next steps after making your application.

We aim to make a decision on your application as quickly as we can. If we need any more information about your qualifications, we will be in touch.

In the meantime, come and visit us and find out more about what studying at UWL is like. Sign up for an  open day  or join a campus tour .

• Applying for an undergraduate course
• Applying for a postgraduate course
• Our Admissions Policy

Visit us and see for yourself

Talk to our tutors and find out about our courses and facilities at our next open day or join a campus tour.

We're here to help

Any questions about a course or studying at UWL? We're here to help - call us on 0800 036 8888 (option 2, Monday – Friday 10am-4pm) or email us on [email protected].

Our postgraduate prospectus

All of our courses in one place - download now or order a hard copy.

• your references
• your visa (if required)

Want to ask us a question first? Our dedicated international students’ team would love to hear from you.

• email [email protected]  to submit a question

More information about international student applications  

Related courses

Mmus electronic music composition.

MMus Composition for Film and Television

BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production

BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production with Foundation Year

Search for courses

Find out more about the work our students produce and view some of their recent work by visiting our Music Performance and Composition  ARTSFEST page .

Performance spaces

Our flexible, professionally-equipped performance spaces include Lawrence Hall, a 200-seat black box studio theatre, and Vestry Hall, a classical music performance space featuring a Steinway B Concert Grand piano, concert tuned percussion and seating for up to 150 

Production studios

We have four black box production rooms featuring performance dance floors, ballet barres, wall mirrors and ¾ drapes. All rooms have PA and AV support in all rooms. The digital stage pianos are by Roland.

One-to-one teaching pods

We have five acoustically isolated teaching pods featuring Roland and Korg digital pianos and mirrors to facilitate one-to-one teaching in voice.

Music performance rooms

All music performance rooms feature drums and backline plus PA support.

• Drums by Roland and Pearl.
• Backline by Marshall, Orange, Line 6, Fender and Gallien-Kruger
• Stage pianos by Korg and Roland
• Synths by Roland and Kurzwiel
• PA by Yamaha, ABT and Nexo.

Basement practice rooms

• All LCM practice rooms benefit from LCM’s All Steinway School status to bring you the very best instruments.
• Three percussion practice and teaching rooms.
• Percussion rooms feature Pearl kits with recording and playback systems.

Media Resource Centre

At our Media Resource Centre (used by all subject areas) you'll find extensive portable audio recording systems, including up to 24 track digital HD recording and portable Focusrite RedNet systems.

There is also video-camera and accessory support, including LED and tungsten lighting systems, track and dolly systems and stedi-cam rigs.

UWL hosts singer Caroline Redman Lusher and producer Kip Eldridge for recording session

Caroline and Kip worked with UWL’s London College of Music Studio Manager Valerie Cray and Audio Technician Ivan Williams.

London College of Music staff and students part of team behind Ealing’s New Gen Festival

The team have been working with a group of local community partners and producers to curate the Festival’s West Stage.

UWL lecturer performs at "Queen of Funk" singer Chaka Khan’s Meltdown Festival

Agata Kubiak-Kenworthy played violin for the legendary singer at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

Album composed by LCM students and performed by renowned violinist released

Acclaimed violinist and Visiting Professor of Performance, Timothy Schwarz, has performed and recorded a collection of songs composed by London College of Music students and lecturers.

The album, a collaborative project across LCM, has been released by the University’s record label London Noise Records and is available on all major music streaming platforms.

Find out more about this story and LCM achievements .

Student life at UWL

• Seven reasons to study with us
• Accommodation
• Student support
• Our campus and sites

Important notes for applicants

* Modern universities  - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

** The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 -   Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.

• Schools & departments

Musical Composition PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Musical Composition

Introduction to Postgraduate Research

Join us online on 19 June to learn about applying for and studying a research degree at Edinburgh.

Find out more and register

Research profile

The Reid School of Music offers an exciting research environment that combines the theory, history, composition and practice of music with the scientific study of sound.

Composition allows students to explore their creative language and horizons in relationship to contemporary compositional styles and challenges. Each student's creative work is developed and guided through supervision. There are no stylistic preferences and all contemporary styles are encouraged, including the use of new technologies.

Supervision specialisms

Please consult our staff profile pages to see our supervision specialisms and availability, spanning electroacoustic, algorithmic, computer music and music for screen.

• ECA staff profiles

Programme structure

The PhD programme comprises three years full-time (six years part-time) research under the supervision of an expert in your chosen research topic within Musical Composition. Your research will culminate in a portfolio of compositions which must comprise original work, with at least one of the compositions being a major and extended work.

Regular individual meetings with your supervisor provide guidance and focus for the course of research you are undertaking.

You will be encouraged to attend research methods courses at the beginning of your research studies.

And for every year you are enrolled on the programme you will be required to complete an annual progression review.

Training and support

All of our research students benefit from Edinburgh College of Art's interdisciplinary approach, and you will be assigned at least two research supervisors.

Your first/ lead supervisor would normally be based in the same subject area as your degree programme. Your second supervisor may be from another discipline within ECA or elsewhere within the University of Edinburgh, according to the expertise required. On occasion more than two supervisors will be assigned, particularly where the degree brings together multiple disciplines.

Our research culture is supported by seminars and public lecture programmes and discussion groups.

Tutoring opportunities will be advertised to the postgraduate research community, which you can apply for should you wish to gain some teaching experience during your studies. But you are not normally advised to undertake tutoring work in the first year of your research studies, while your main focus should be on establishing the direction of your research.

You are encouraged to attend courses at the Institute for Academic Development ( IAD ), where all staff and students at the University of Edinburgh are supported through a range of training opportunities, including:

• short courses in compiling literature reviews
• writing in a second language
• preparing for your viva

The Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities ( SGSAH ) offers further opportunities for development. You will also be encouraged to refer to the Vitae research development framework as you grow into a professional researcher.

You will have access to study space (some of which are 24-hour access), studios and workshops at Edinburgh College of Art’s campus, as well as University wide resources. There are several bookable spaces for the development of exhibitions, workshops or seminars. And you will have access to well-equipped multimedia laboratories, photography and exhibition facilities, shared recording space, access to recording equipment available through Bookit the equipment loan booking system.

You will have access to high quality library facilities. Within the University of Edinburgh, there are three libraries:

• the Main Library
• the ECA library
• the Art and Architecture Library

The Centre for Research Collections which holds the University of Edinburgh’s historic collections is also located in the Main Library.

The Talbot Rice Gallery is a public art gallery of the University of Edinburgh and part of Edinburgh College of Art, which is committed to exploring what the University of Edinburgh can contribute to contemporary art practice today and into the future. You will also have access to the extraordinary range and quality of exhibitions and events associated with a leading college of art situated within a world-class research-intensive university.

St Cecilia’s Hall, which is Scotland’s oldest purpose-built concert hall, also houses the Music Museum which holds one of the most important historic musical instrument collections anywhere in the world.

In addition to the University’s facilities you will also be able to access wider resources within the City of Edinburgh. These include:

• National Library of Scotland
• Scottish Studies Library and Digital Archives
• City of Edinburgh Libraries
• Historic Environment Scotland
• the National Trust for Scotland

You will also benefit from the University of Edinburgh’s extensive range of student support facilities provided, including:

• student societies
• accommodation
• wellbeing and support services

PhD by Distance option

The PhD by Distance is available to suitably qualified applicants in all the same areas as our on-campus programmes.

The PhD by Distance allows students who do not wish to commit to basing themselves in Edinburgh to study for a PhD in an ECA subject area from their home country or city.

There is no expectation that students studying for an ECA PhD by Distance study mode should visit Edinburgh during their period of study. However, short-term visits for particular activities could be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For further information on the PhD by Distance please see the ECA website:

• PhD by Distance in ECA

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

Normally a UK Masters degree or its international equivalent. If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may still consider your application on the basis of relevant professional experience.

You must also submit a research proposal and portfolio; see How to Apply section for guidance.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Additional programme costs.

There are no additional costs.

Tuition fees

Scholarships and funding

Featured funding.

• Edinburgh College of Art scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your residency status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Research Team
• Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5741
• Contact: [email protected]
• Postgraduate Research Director, Dr Benedict Taylor
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4155
• Contact: [email protected]
• Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Research Team Student and Academic Support Service
• The University of Edinburgh
• Evolution House, 78 West Port
• Central Campus
• Programme: Musical Composition
• School: Edinburgh College of Art
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Musical Composition - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd musical composition - 6 years (part-time) (part-time), phd musical composition by distance - 3 years (full-time), phd musical composition by distance - 6 years (part-time), application deadlines.

If you are applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. All applications must be received by the deadlines listed above.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

You must submit two references with your application, one of which must be an academic reference and preferably from your most recent studies.

You should submit a research proposal that outlines your project's aims, context, process and product/outcome. Read the application guidance before you apply. If you wish to undertake research that involves practice then a portfolio will also be required, full details are listed in the application guidance document.

• Preparing your application - postgraduate research degrees (PDF)

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Resources for:

Sep 27, 2024 7:30pm

The Power and Passion of Beethoven

Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

Oct 1, 2024 7:30pm

Nathan Mertens and Kenta Saito with Tomoko Kashiwagi

Galvin Recital Hall

Oct 4, 2024 7:30pm

Jeffrey Kahane, piano

• Lectures & Interviews
• Master Classes
• Recitals & Chamber Music
• Visiting Artists

Main Resources

Main utility, degree requirements, phd in music: composition and music technology, diagnostic evaluation and initial advisement.

An initial interview with the Composition and Music Technology faculty will review the student’s background to determine the best course of study, based on the student’s interests and previous coursework. Students should regard all members of the faculty as advisors throughout the period of their degree studies.

Academic Advisement

The faculty member with whom the student is currently taking MUS_COMP 512 is considered as their primary advisor. By the beginning of a student’s third year, the chair of their doctoral committee serves as primary advisor for the remainder of their degree.

Program of Study

18 units for students who matriculate with a master’s degree 27 units for students who matriculate with a bachelor’s degree

Applied Composition – 6-9 units

Students must enroll for applied composition in each quarter of coursework.

MUS COMP 512 Applied Composition

Core Coursework – 8 units

MUSIC 540 Doctoral Music Research MUSICOL 400 Graduate Review of Music History MUS COMP 439: Materials of Music 1900-1947 MUS COMP 439: Materials of Music Since 1945 MUS TECH, 300 level and above – 2 units MUS COMP 437 or 439 or 440 – 2 units

Cognate Area – 3 units

Students enroll in three courses in a non-music field relevant to their main interest. For example, a student may enroll in three courses in Screen Cultures or Environmental Sciences. Another possibility is to take courses within one of the many existing interdisciplinary Clusters (such as African Studies or Critical Theory) organized by The Graduate School. Additionally, a student may devise their own interdisciplinary cognate area under the supervision of their primary advisor, if their non-musical interests direct them towards research in an area without a preexisting Cluster. (See TGS website: Clusters and Certificates )

Electives – 0-6 units

Courses in music theory and cognition, musicology, music education, conducting (with approval of conducting faculty), humanities and social sciences, or science and engineering.

Students who wish to register for elective classes at other universities may do so via two programs:

• The Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA), a consortium of the Big Ten schools and the University of Chicago
• The Chicago Metropolitan Exchange Program (CMEP) in collaboration with the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago

Questions about these programs should be directed to Bienen Graduate Services with prior consent of the student’s primary advisor.

Composition Colloquium – 0 units, 6-9 registrations required

MUS COMP 490

All students are required to register for and attend the weekly Composer’s Colloquium each quarter during residency. Each student is expected to regularly pursue additional performances on the student composer’s concert, performance study student recitals, and local/national conferences, etc. Student composers are expected to demonstrate active involvement in the aforementioned activities, and to maintain a productive composition level throughout the program. A high level of achievement must be present in the following areas: composition, 20th and 21st century music, use of music technology tools, theory, orchestration, harmony, counterpoint, analysis, aural skills, and keyboard skills.

Recital – 0 units, 1 registration

MUS COMP 580 Doctoral Recital

PhD students are expected to teach a variety of courses, and teaching assignments are made in consultation with a student’s primary advisor. Composition students typically teach at least one quarter of MUS COMP 211 Class Composition during their fourth year. Students who desire to gain experience in aural skills may teach three consecutive quarters of MUSIC 126 or 226 in fall, winter, and spring to undergraduate music majors.

Doctoral Committee

Students must assemble a doctoral committee by the spring quarter of their second year. The committee must be comprised of three current faculty members at Northwestern University, two of whom must be part of the Composition and Music Technology program. The committee must be chaired by the proposed dissertation advisor, who must be a member of the Graduate School faculty. The chair serves as the primary advisor from that point on, and as first reader of the dissertation.

The Doctoral Committee has four functions:

• To administer the comprehensive PhD qualifying exams;
• To approve the dissertation prospectus;
• To supervise and approve both parts of the dissertation – the doctoral composition and the scholarly written essay when both have been completed to the satisfaction of the committee.
• To supervise and attend the Doctoral Recital.

Qualifying Examinations

Students begin the qualifying exams in their third year and must complete them by the end of the spring quarter of the third year. The exams are administered by the doctoral committee and consist of a written and oral portion. For the written part, each member of the committee, in conjunction with the student, selects a specific research and/or analysis topic. Students may write an article-length essay (20-30 pages) submitted to the faculty member by an agreed upon date, or take an exam given by the faculty member during an agreed upon three-day period. The oral portion of the composition qualifying exams may address topics including, but not limited to, those items covered in the written exams.

Students should submit the PhD Qualifying Exam form in GSTS after successful completion of the exams.

Dissertation Prospectus

Students must complete their prospectus as soon as possible after passing the qualifying examinations, but no later than the end of their fourth year. The prospectus consists of a proposal for the dissertation which outlines the topic, its significance, its methodologies, and includes a survey of the current scholarly literature and primary sources necessary for successful completion of the dissertation and a comprehensive bibliography. The prospectus is evaluated by the doctoral committee and is formally accepted after a brief defense.

Students should submit the PhD Prospectus form in GSTS after successful defense and acceptance of the prospectus.

Dissertation Requirement

The requirements consist of:

a composition of substantially ambitious scope, to be determined with the approval of the members of the committee, and

a scholarly analytical essay on a topic agreed upon by the candidate and their committee. The essay should be aimed at the same readership as that of an established professional journal (e.g., Contemporary Music Review, Perspectives of New Music, Tempo, et al.), with a target length of 5,000 words.

The two documents represent the culmination of intensive and original research, and must make a meaningful contribution to knowledge in the field. Students must consult with their committee before undertaking any writing. Both the composition and the scholarly analytical essay must be completed and approved by the committee before the dissertation requirement is considered fulfilled.

Dissertation Completion

Students are encouraged to apply for funding for dissertation research through TGS and the Office of Fellowships. Dissertations must be formatted according to TGS Dissertation Formatting Guidelines . Students should submit the PhD Final Exam form in GSTS once the composition and the scholarly essay are completed and approved by the committee.

Doctoral Recital

One full recital of works is required. Students are responsible for arranging all aspects of the recital. The recital program must be approximately 60 minutes of music, and may consist of any combination of works written after the registration in the PhD program. All music to be presented on the recital, approximate date/alternate dates, and the location and program information must be approved by the committee chair prior to the recital.

Contact Graduate Services:  [email protected]   847-491-5740

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Discover more about music

PhD Music (Composition)

Year of entry: 2024

• View full page
• Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
• Master's degree in a relevant subject – with an overall average of 65% or above, a minimum mark of 65% in your dissertation and no mark below 55% (or overseas equivalent) 

Full entry requirements

Apply online  

Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered. 

Application Deadlines 

For consideration in internal funding competitions, you must submit your completed application by  12 January 2024. 

If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self–funding, you must submit your application before the below deadlines to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these dates have passed.

• For September 2024 entry:  30 June 2024 
• For January 2025 entry:  30 September 2024 

Programme options

Programme overview

• The UK's Number 1 Department for Music (Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).
• Showcase your work through concert performances, collaborations, and workshops with visiting artists.
• Become part of Manchester's lively and diverse creative community with access to our state-of-the-art facilities.

We will be conducting our PGR virtual open week in October 2024. Find out about future events and postgraduate research sessions by signing up for our email alerts.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): £4,786 International, including EU, students (per annum): £21,500
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): £2,393

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Please note for the majority of projects where experimentation requires further resource: higher fee bands (where quoted) will be charged rather than the base rate for supervision, administration and computational costs. The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive and, therefore, you will not be required to pay any additional bench fees or administration costs.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of the course for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your project.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers, details of which can be found via the links below.

To apply University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The deadline for most internal competitions, including AHRC NWCDTP and School of Arts, Languages and Cultures studentships is 12 January 2024.

All external funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting the funding application form and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition details below.

For more information about funding, visit our funding page to browse for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

• AHRC North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP) PhD Studentships - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• School of Arts, Languages and Cultures PhD Studentships 2024 Entry - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• China Scholarship Council - The University of Manchester (CSC-UoM) Joint Scholarship Programme - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• School of Arts, Languages and Cultures New Generation PhD Studentships - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Awards - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• Harry Clough Bursary (Music) 2024 Entry
• Trudeau Doctoral Scholarships 2024 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (High Income Countries)
• Myrtle McMyn Bursary (Music) 2024 Entry
• Humanities Doctoral Academy Humanitarian Scholarship 2024 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States)

Contact details

See: About us

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview, english language.

International applicants must provide one of the following: 

• IELTS test minimum score – 7.0 overall, 7.0 in writing. 
• TOEFL (internet based) test minimum score – 100 overall, 25 in all sections. 
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) UKVI/SELT or PTE Academic minimum score – 76 overall, 76 in writing. 
• To demonstrate that you have taken an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a majority English speaking nation within the last 5 years. 
• Other tests may be considered.

Please note, CAS statements are only issued when all conditions of the offer have been satisfied, offer accepted, and a PDF copy of passport received. 

While the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures' entry requirement for IELTS is 7.0 with 7.0 in the writing component, applicants may be admitted to the PhD Music (Composition) / (Electro-Acoustic Composition) with an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with 6.5 in the writing component. 

Please note that students admitted with the lower score will be required to take Academic Success Programme workshops in the first year. 

English language test validity

Other international entry requirements.

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements from your country.

The University requires you to reside within a commutable distance from Manchester during your time as a registered student, unless you are on approved fieldwork/a formal placement or are on a period of Submission pending. This is to ensure that you are able to meet attendance expectations and participate in wider research activities within your discipline area and/or School.

Other entry requirements

Application and selection, how to apply, advice to applicants.

Before you start your application, you should: 

• Develop your own research proposal and project title. 
• Find a supervisor by browsing our academics’ profiles, and reach out directly to discuss if they are interested in supporting your research. 
• Consider how you plan on funding your research and discuss this with your supervisor. 

When you submit your application, you must include each of the below required documents: 

• A 1,500 word PhD research proposal
• Copies of the academic transcript and certificate from both your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. If your Master’s degree is pending, please provide an interim transcript. 
• An up to date academic CV, detailing your education and qualifications; employment history; publications; and any other relevant information. 
• You must nominate two academic referees (including one from your most recent institution). Your referees will be contacted directly via the Referee Portal following submission of your application form. You may wish to contact your referees to request they submit your reference in a reasonable timeframe as this forms part of the review process. 
• International applicants must additionally provide English Language evidence (e.g IELTS)
• After you submit your application, we will request a compositional portfolio.

Interview requirements

As part of the offer making process applicants will be required to undertake an interview assessment. This may be in the form of an in–person interview, or video call. 

The interview is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the broad topic area, the viability of your proposed research and its intellectual contribution, alongside the fit of your project with the supervisory team. You also may be asked to identify and address any potential ethical considerations in relation to your proposed research, and discuss how best to progress your ideas in line with University of Manchester ethics guidance.

The interview panel will consist at minimum of your primary supervisor and an independent interviewer. 

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful, you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard programme entry criteria for that year of entry. 

In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen programme.

Programme details

Programme description.

Our PhD Music (Composition) programme will see you produce a portfolio of compositions and a written commentary, allowing you to develop your original creative voice under the supervision of our specialist academic staff.

Our research across the department involves particular focus on seven core research areas , built around research questions, themes and approaches that are shared by a number of members of staff. Explored thematically during our Thursday research afternoons, the core research areas allow us to interrogate key issues in music research from multiple angles, fostering imaginative and multi-layered responses that are both intellectual and creative. They comprise:

• Creative and performing practices
• Sound, space and interactive art
• Politics, protest and power
• Nationalism, mobility and identity
• Historically and culturally informed analysis
• Critical reception studies
• Intercultural musicking

Workshops and performances of postgraduate compositions are arranged through the department and may involve the Quatuor Danel, our quartet-in-residence, among other professional and student performers.

As a research student in the department, you will be assigned a research panel, consisting of your supervisor, a co-supervisor and an independent reviewer who will meet with you on a regular basis to discuss your progress and offer expert advice on the development of your project.

Postgraduate students are an important part of the academic community of the department and the University, and we encourage all our PhD students to participate in research seminars and to present their research at regular intervals to help them develop their research experience and profile.

Find out more about our Music research , our staff and what our current PhD students are working on.

Additional programme information

Humanities Doctoral Academy

Our Humanities Doctoral Academy combines the strengths of our four schools to bring expertise, knowledge, support and high quality services for postgraduate researchers.

We are a community of academic leaders and postgraduate researchers across all levels in the Faculty of Humanities. The Doctoral Academy Hub houses our specialist professional service teams who support postgraduate researchers throughout the programme journey. This includes admissions, registration, student experience, progression, examination and graduation. We collaborate closely with other University directorates including Manchester Doctoral College, Researcher Development team, and the corresponding Doctoral Academies in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. Together we provide the best experience and support for your studies and research. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion  is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. 

We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. 

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status. 

All appointments are made on merit. 

The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Related research

In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), 92% of our Music research was recognised as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'.

Find out more about our Music research .  

What our students say

Manchester is home to one of the UK's five National Research Libraries - one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK and widely recognised as one of the world's greatest research libraries.

Find out more about libraries and study spaces for postgraduate research students at Manchester.

We also have one of the largest academic IT services in Europe - supporting world-class teaching and research. There are extensive computing facilities across campus, with access to standard office software as well as specialist programmes, all connected to the campus network and internet.

Every student is registered for email, file storage and internet access. If more demanding computer access is required, our specialist computing division can provide high-end and specialist computing services.

Learn more about our facilities for Music students .

Disability support

Career opportunities.

PhD study in Music (Musicology, Composition and Electroacoustic Composition) provides graduates with in-depth research experience and training, and wider practical and transferable skills. Our graduates have gone on to academic appointments in leading universities in the UK and abroad, as well as diverse professional careers.

Recent music PhD graduates have been appointed to lecturing, teaching and researcher positions including ENES Morelia, National Autonomous University of Mexico; Royal High Conservatory of Music in Madrid; High Conservatory of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain); dBsMusic (Germany); Tamagawa University (Japan); Kunitachi College of Music (Japan); RNCM; Futureworks; Liverpool Hope University; University of Liverpool; Keele University; Royal Holloway University of London; Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts; Birmingham Conservatoire; San Jose State University (USA); Kingston University London; City University London; Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; Royal College of Music; Canterbury Christchurch; Simon Fraser University (Canada) and Southampton University.

Recent alumni have also established careers in television music composition (Danny Saul) or formed their own music and sound business enterprises (for example, Ignacio Pecino's Recursive Arts and Josh Kopecek's Echoes). 

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help support you with your goals for the future.

Residency Requirement

At least one academic year of full-time residence is required.

Department of Composition

Evan Chambers

Michael Daugherty

Roshanne Etezady

Kristin Kuster

Erik Santos

Bright Sheng

Department of music theory.

Karen Fournier

Leah Frederick

Patricia Hall

Marc Hannaford

Patrick Harlin

Áine Heneghan

John Knoedler

Kevin E. Korsyn

Nathan Martin

Nancy Murphy

Wayne C. Petty

Carlos Xavier Rodriguez

Joshua Tanis

Aleksandra Vojčić

Composition students regularly collaborate with their performer colleagues. Composers in both undergraduate and graduate programs receive premieres of their works at a variety of venues, including the “write HEAR / right NOW” Concert Series, the Midwest Composers Symposium (a forum for student composers from four schools), and concerts by U-M ensembles. Each term, The William Bolcom Residency in Composition hosts renowned guest artists who spend a week on campus, interacting with students and faculty through lessons, workshops, meals, lectures, and performances.​

From large ensembles in celebrated concert halls to chamber groups in intimate recital spaces, performance opportunities across all disciplines abound, with nearly 900 student performances each academic year. Whether your focus is on early, classical, or contemporary music, whether your passion is for jazz, electronic, or world music, there is an ensemble—or in many cases, multiple ensembles—to suit your interests, including specific opportunities for percussion, piano, and organ & carillon. For students in theatre & drama, musical theatre, dance, and opera, opportunities abound in both professionally produced and student-run presentations.

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The PhD in Music is available as a full-time programme lasting three years, or a part-time programme lasting five years. It is available in all areas in which we can offer supervision, including historical musicology, analysis, ethnomusicology, sound studies, music cognition, composition and practice-based research in performance.

The majority of postgraduate students in the Faculty undertake research that is directly connected with the particular research interests of specific Faculty members. If you are planning an application, we recommend that you initially get in touch with the member of staff whose interests seem most in line with yours. Our  Research Themes page gives an overview of the principal areas of the Faculty’s research and the academic staff who work in these areas.

Because of the diversity of research topics pursued, the PhD programme in music at Cambridge does not involve a core taught component. There are a variety of skills training opportunities, and some incoming research students audit courses offered within our MPhil programme, but in general you will be working primarily with your individual supervisor. Your formal studies will be complemented by attendance at Faculty colloquia and seminars, while membership of a college will enable you to socialise with students and others from a wide variety of disciplines. Studying for a PhD at Cambridge gives you access to facilities and a range of  Research Resources  that compare favourably with anywhere in the world.

Recorded performances may now be included within a doctoral submission, along with an academic thesis of the standard length. Students who wish to pursue this possibility are encouraged to make contact with the member of staff most relevant to their particular performance-related interests.

We realise that for many potential applicants, funding is a major issue; see  Funding Postgraduate Study  for information on costs and funding options. Applicants whose proposals involve fieldwork, performance tuition, or other substantial additional expenses should include an indication of approximate total costs as part of their application.  While small grants may be available for research and travel purposes, these should not be expected to cover funding for your case studies, performance tuition or major fieldwork expenses. Some support for doctoral students undertaking fieldwork is also available from the School of Arts and Humanities.

The PhD programme is available on a part-time basis over five years, but please note that this is not a distance learning course and you will be expected to attend supervisions and participate in other Faculty activities in person, even if you don't live in Cambridge. If you come from outside the EU, please note that it is not possible to obtain a student visa for part-time study. See the University’s Graduate Admissions pages for further details on part-time study .

Further details of postgraduate life at Cambridge may be found on Cambridge Students webpages.

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Online Postgraduate Courses in Music Composition in the United Kingdom - 29 Courses

University of birmingham department of music.

• Musical Composition Doctor of Philosophy - PhD MA (Res)

University of Birmingham School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music

The university of edinburgh edinburgh college of art.

• Musical Composition Doctor of Philosophy - PhD

University of Huddersfield Applied Sciences - General (SAPPS)

• All Doctorates at Huddersfield Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
• MA by Research at Huddersfield MA (Res)
• MSc by Research at Huddersfield MSc (Res)

SAE Institute Creative Practice

• Professional Practice (Creative Media Industries) MA MSc
• Professional Practice in Creative Media Industries MA MSc

ThinkSpace Education Commercial Music and Industry

• Songwriting and Music Production MA

ThinkSpace Education Game Music and Audio

• Composing for Video Games MA
• Songwriting & Orchestration Master of Fine Arts - MFA (PG)
• Sound Design for Video Games MA
• Video Game & Media Composition Master of Fine Arts - MFA (PG)
• Video Game Composition & Orchestration Master of Fine Arts - MFA (PG)
• Video Game Music & Audio Master of Fine Arts - MFA (PG)

ThinkSpace Education Media Composition

• Media Composition & Orchestration Master of Fine Arts - MFA (PG)
• Media Composition & Songwriting Master of Fine Arts - MFA (PG)
• Orchestration for Film, Games & Television MA
• Professional Media Composition MA

University of West London London College of Music

• Composition Master of Music - MMus
• Composition for Film and Television MMus (Comp)

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• Research degrees

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A PhD is an internationally-recognised research qualification. You can study for your PhD on campus or by online learning

Studying for your PhD in the School of Music means that you will become an expert in a specialist area and gain high-quality research skills, which will equip you to undertake further research projects in addition to pursuing specialist career paths.

As a postgraduate researcher, you will conduct original research work under the guidance of  your supervisors. You’ll have regular meetings to monitor your progress and develop an initial training plan to make sure you are acquiring the appropriate skills for your research.

Your initial priority is refining a research plan and establishing a feasible timescale for your project. During the early part of your PhD, you will undertake various research methods modules to support your research activities.

For the first 12 months (or 18 months if part-time) you will be enrolled as a provisional PhD candidate and you'll develop a detailed research proposal and write a literature review. This work is submitted to a panel of examiners who will assess it and provide you with feedback and advice on the progress of your research.

This is called 'transfer' and is an important means of monitoring the progress of your work and assessing whether your proposal has enough weight to be accurately explored through a PhD research path.

After successful transfer, you'll enrol as a full PhD candidate, complete your research and write a thesis of approximately 100,000 words.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded on the basis of this thesis, and your viva voce, where you present and discuss the rationale, methods and findings of your original study with an examining panel.

A PhD can be taken full-time (3 years standard) or part-time (5 years standard).

Areas of supervision

Research opportunities are available across the School of Music. Explore our research  to discover more about our academic staff and where your research interests may fit.

Practice-led PhD

If you want to pursue your chosen area of research through practice, we offer supervison for Music practice-led PhD and practice-led MPhil.

You should demonstrate a distinctive practice, an originality of thinking, and an ability to place the practice in an appropriate creative/cultural context. You'll be assigned appropriate supervisors, who will guide your research.

You will produce a body of work (for example, a portfolio of original compositions) demonstrating an original contribution to knowledge and scholarship. The work will comprise of a substantial body of creative practice produced in pursuit of the degree, displaying critical understanding, together with a written submission, which provides an exploration of the research question(s) and indicates the manner in which the research is embodied in the practice.

The written submission for practice-led PhD should be between 15,000 and 50,000 words.

Entry requirements

You should hold a good honours degree (upper second class or first class) in a related discipline, and hold, or expect to obtain, a Masters degree in a related subject.

If English is not your first language, you will also need an English language qualification, for example IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in all components. 

You can improve your academic English level to the standard needed to study a postgraduate research degree by taking one of the following pre-sessional courses:

6-week: Language for postgraduate researchers

10-week: Language for Social Science and Arts: postgraduate researchers

The online learning PhD requires IELTS score of 7.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in every component.

Scholarships and fees

A range of scholarships are available for PhD students.

Fees for PhD degrees are set independently and reviewed on an annual basis.

PhD by online learning 

We offer a PhD by online learning which is available to UK, EU and international applicants, allowing you gain an advanced degree from anywhere with internet access. You can study at the time and place that best suits you, and our part time options lets you study alongside work and other commitments.

For further information, please contact  Dr Pammi Sinha ,  Head of the Graduate School. 

How to Get a DMA or PhD in Music

If you’re a musician, you know that talent can’t be taught. Skill, on the other hand, can certainly be honed. Getting a doctorate degree in music can be a rewarding and career-boosting experience for performers and educators at every stage of their professional lives. Music is a competitive field, and a graduate degree can give you a leg up while plugging you into a global network of renowned artists and superstar professors.

This guide can help you weigh your options and walks you through every phase of the process, from researching programs to auditioning for a spot to getting into the school of your choice.

Know Your Options: PhDs and DMAs

In the United States, the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are the prevailing terminal degrees in music. Before you start looking into schools, make sure you understand the difference between the two doctoral degree options. Not only is there overlap between the DMA and the PhD, but some schools offer both programs.

• The Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA): This degree, which most students complete in three to five years, prepares gifted musicians for prominent careers in their fields while deepening their knowledge of music theory and history. DMA candidates train with leading artists, submit one or more research projects, and perform several recitals before graduation. Many schools also require them to become proficient in a foreign language. Each student chooses a specialization, which in most cases is either musical performance, composition, or conducting.
• The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Music: The PhD in Music focuses less on practice and more on academic research. Students emerge after four to six years with a doctorate in a subject like musicology, ethnomusicology, or music theory. After completing a specified amount of coursework and taking a series of qualifying exams, they have to write and defend a scholarly dissertation on a topic of their choice. Most programs require students to become proficient in one or two foreign languages.

Basically, the right choice comes down to how you envision your music career. If you were born to play first bassoon for the New York Philharmonic, aim for a DMA. If you see yourself researching the social significance of Chinese opera during the Tang Dynasty, the PhD is probably the way to go.

One notable exception is music education, where the distinction between the two degrees gets a little blurry: while the PhD is more common, some schools offer a DMA instead. If that’s your focus, be sure to consider both options.

Narrow Your Search: Campus-Based vs. Online Programs

A growing number of distance education programs now offer accredited online doctorate degrees, including the DMA and the PhD in Music. Some programs allow students to take all of their classes online; others include a certain amount of campus coursework as well.

At first glance, the Internet may seem like an odd place to study a discipline in which live performance and hands-on instruction play a central role. Thanks to current technology, students can listen to and share music, watch streaming video, take exams, meet with teachers, and participate in class discussions without setting foot in a classroom. Some music educators actually believe that the online format enhances traditional music education by connecting students to scholars and performers around the world. Online learning has also made it possible for full-time music professionals–elementary school music teachers, for example–to boost their careers with an advanced degree.

If you’re not sure whether a campus or an online DMA or PhD program is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

• What are your goals? Maybe you teach music history and want to branch out into ethnomusicology while honing your research skills. An online DMA or PhD in art & design with a specialization in Music could give you that extra knowledge without taking you away from your students. On the other hand, if you’re an electronic music composer but don’t have a cutting-edge studio at your disposal just yet, take advantage of a campus doctorate program’s resources.
• Would you be willing to relocate for your degree? If the answer is no, you’re limited to schools within commuting distance–and depending on where you live, pickings might be slim. With online education, school comes to you. You may want to expand your options by considering both campus and online DMA and PhD programs.
• How much time can you devote to your degree? Some campus programs require a year or more of full-time study, and your course schedule may conflict with your work and family responsibilities. With an online doctorate degree, you can attend class on your own time, and you can usually pause the lesson if life intervenes.
• What kind of learner are you? The freedom to learn on your own time is convenient, but it’s not for everyone. If you enjoy independent study and don’t need the structure of a classroom for motivation, you can thrive in an online learning environment. If you’re on the other end of the spectrum, save yourself countless hours of procrastination and enroll in a campus doctorate program.

Create a Shortlist of Doctorate Degree Programs

By now you’ve probably settled on the specific degree you want and decided whether to consider an online doctorate program. It’s time to start conducting research, contacting admissions offices, and visiting schools. More than 1,700 higher education institutions in the U.S. have degree-granting music programs, according to the College Music Society . Even after you eliminate those that don’t offer a DMA or PhD in Music in your area of specialization, the number of choices may seem overwhelming. The volume of information available on the Internet and beyond, can be equally overwhelming. The following resources are a great place to start:

• Online directories. Web sites like WorldWideLearn.com feature listings of campus and online doctorate degree programs in music, along with useful tips to guide you through your search and the application process. You can find accredited programs by location or subject, and you can also request information from specific schools by filling out a simple form. The College Music Society also offers an online searchable database of music faculties in U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities.
• School Web sites. Most school Web sites have a treasure trove of information about the degrees they offer. Of course, it’s important to read the section for prospective students, where you learn about the program’s prerequisites, admissions criteria, structure, and curriculum. But do some digging around and you may find a whole lot more. For example, many faculty members have their own Web pages with biographies, contact information, links to published work or blogs, and lists of the classes they teach. Some courses have dedicated pages as well, often featuring a reading list, syllabus, and bulletin board where students and instructors exchange messages. Even the alumni section of the site is worth checking out: you can often read profiles of featured alumni or download an alumni newsletter with information about graduates’ music careers.
• Your alma mater. Most colleges and universities provide professional development counseling to graduates as well as to current students. Contact the institution where you received your bachelor’s or master’s degree and ask about services for alumni who are considering graduate school. You may be able to set up an appointment with a counselor, and there may also be a resource center with graduate school guides and information about specific programs. Finally, feel free to reach out to former teachers and ask what programs they recommend.
• Professional organizations. Even if you don’t become a member, music organizations can be a great source of information, advice, and connections. Many publish online newsletters and other materials that contain articles about graduate education. You can find a wealth of useful resources on their Web sites, including guides to higher education and careers in music, and learn about networking events. Students are often eligible for discounted membership fees. Professional organizations for musicians and music educators in the U.S. include the American Federation of Musicians , the College Music Society , and the Music Teachers National Association . A complete list is available here.

Evaluating the Programs on Your Shortlist

While it may be tempting, in most cases you should not apply to every program on your shortlist. Application fees can add up fast, and each round of auditions and interviews takes time. Music students typically apply to between four and seven graduate programs. Your choice depends on your specific needs and area of specialization, but you should also take the following crucial factors into account:

• A first-class faculty. Look for programs that boast a talented, experienced, and well-rounded team of instructors. Take that a step further and single out schools with teachers you yourself would like to learn from. Email faculty members who share your interests via the school’s Web site, letting them know you’re planning to apply and would welcome the opportunity to work with them. Get a dialogue going by including one or two thoughtful questions about their work and the music program in general. You can also ask either a faculty member or an admissions officer whether you can sit in on a class or a rehearsal.
• NASM accreditation. Check whether the programs on your shortlist are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the U.S. governing body for higher education in music. This seal of approval means that NASM has visited a school’s premises and evaluated its standards, procedures, and curricula. If a program you like is missing from the NASM directory , proceed with caution but don’t rule it out completely: some reputable music schools–including several of the country’s finest–have chosen not to apply for accreditation. Visit WorldWideLearn.com for more information about accreditation and why it matters.
• Top-notch equipment and facilities. For campus-based programs, this means an adequate number of well-appointed music libraries, performance venues, practice rooms, rehearsal spaces, and instrument storage lockers. For online doctorate programs, it means a user-friendly Web interface, effective multimedia components, access to technical support, and the ability to interact regularly with professors and other students via email, electronic bulletin boards, class blogs, and chat rooms. For hybrid programs that combine campus and online courses, it means all of the above.
• Prestige. Does it matter where you get your doctorate degree or is it all about talent? Ask the very people you hope will hire you in a few years, such as university department chairs or music directors. You can find them through personal connections, your college alumni network, or networking sites you belong to. See how they feel about the schools on your shortlist, and be sure to stay in touch: those contacts can come in handy when you’re sending out resumes. Try to get an objective idea of how the various schools stack up as well. Unfortunately, U.S. News & World Report doesn’t issue rankings for graduate programs in music, but you can usually ask admissions personnel for graduation rates and information about the jobs their graduates score.
• Cost. Doctorate candidates in music often rely on federal loans to help finance their education. Many campus-based programs also offer graduate assistantships, which allow you to teach undergraduate courses in exchange for a stipend and a break on tuition. You can also look for private teaching gigs or moonlight with a local party band–just like every professional musician worth their salt has to do at some point in their lives. WorldWideLearn.com has extensive information about scholarships, loans, and other forms of financial aid .

How to Apply to DMA and PhD in Music Programs

Now it’s time to get down to business and send out those applications. The process and requirements vary from school to school and also depend on the degree and specialization you’ve chosen. However, you can expect most programs to ask you for the following:

• Prior degrees. In almost all cases, applicants to music doctorate programs must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in music or a related field. For the DMA, they need a Master of Music as well, although admissions committees may make exceptions for especially promising students. A PhD candidate either enters the program with a master’s degree or earns it by passing qualifying exams midway through the program.
• Standardized tests. Many music DMA and PhD programs require applicants to submit GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores. International students must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language by passing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Read more about these exams and how to prepare for them on WorldWideLearn.com.
• Audition. For applicants to degree programs in performance, composing, and conducting, the audition is a critical step in the application process. If you’re applying for a DMA in Instrumental or Vocal Performance, it’s best to audition live; in some cases, you can schedule an audition for the day you tour the school or go in for an interview. If you can’t visit or if the school requires a recorded audition, get your hands on some high-end recording equipment or hire a professional, and submit the final product on a CD. Unless you’re a conductor, steer clear of video because the audio quality can be poor.
• Letters of recommendation. Most programs require three letters of recommendation from music instructors or musicians who are familiar with your abilities, such as an ensemble director you’ve worked with. If you’ve been out of school for a few years and are asking former teachers for recommendations, send them an up-to-date version of your resume and let them know what you’ve been doing since graduation.
• Writing sample. Because research is a key component of both the PhD in Music and, to a lesser extent, the DMA, doctorate programs tend to ask for academic writing samples. This could be a paper you wrote for an undergraduate class or graduate seminar in a subject like music history or theory. If it’s been sitting in a drawer for awhile, reread it carefully and consider editing or updating the content.

No matter what program you choose, graduate school can be a decisive time in your life, and it’s up to you to make the most of the many resources at your disposal. Above all, take time to enjoy the experience of practicing and learning about your art within a community of people who share your passion for music.

• The College Music Society, Directory of Music Faculties in Colleges and Universities, U.S. and Canada, 2008-2009 Edition
• The College Music Society, Facts and Figures Concerning Music and Higher Education in the United States
• The National Association for Music Education, A Career Guide for Music Education
• Oberlin College, Guide to Graduate School for Music Students
• Research and Issues in Music Education, Volume 5, Five Challenges and Solutions in Online Music Teacher Education , by David G. Hebert

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Course type

Qualification, university name, distance learning phd music performance and playing.

3 degrees at 3 universities in the UK.

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• PhD Music Performance and Playing
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Music Performance Practice PhD (On Campus or by Distance Learning)

University of birmingham.

Our postgraduate research programmes in Performance Practice are a unique opportunity for performers of proven ability to develop their Read more...

• 3 years Distance without attendance degree: £2,393 per year (UK)
• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)

Conservatoire Research Degrees - PhD

Birmingham city university.

A PhD at Birmingham Conservatoire will help you create opportunities to develop research skills that support performance, composition or a Read more...

• 4 years Distance without attendance degree: £9,180 per year (UK)
• 3 years Full time degree
• 4 years Part time degree

Birmingham School of Acting

A PhD at Birmingham Conservatoire will help you create opportunities to develop research skills that support performance, composition or Read more...

• 4 years Distance without attendance degree

Course type:

• Distance learning PhD
• Full time PhD
• Part time PhD

Qualification:

Related subjects:.

Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education

Quicklinks: Curriculum • Faculty •  Cost

Program at a Glance

• 48  Credits Required
• 6–7 years  Completion Time

Related Programs

• Master of Music in Music Education (MM)
• Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Music Education (CAGS)

Leadership Through Scholarship

It’s the questions that drive you: What kinds of music do students listen to at home? Why are some students motivated to practice when others are not? In what ways can you use music to open the world to them? How can new technology improve the classroom experience? More broadly, how can you and other music education professionals effect change in our government’s arts and education policies?

Despite successful outcomes, you’re not satisfied with yesterday’s successes. For you, the classroom or studio is a laboratory. You seek new and better techniques to encourage students to improve as musicians and succeed as well-rounded people. When you find something that works, you want to share it with other music professionals. Perhaps you have participated in a teacher research group in your school district, presented a clinic on best practices at a music conference, or have been invited to teach a course at a local college. It was a satisfying professional experience.

Now, you’re ready for more. You’re eager to develop your scholarship, keep your musicianship sharp, and continue your teaching career. This is where online learning comes in. We’ve designed this program for you to be an important member of a small, academically rigorous doctoral program without uprooting your family or leaving the work that fulfills you.

You will prepare for advancement in the field of music education by developing and honing research skills, sharpening proficiency in theory and history, developing a specialization, and producing a dissertation of publishable quality that adds new knowledge, moving the field of music education forward. Your dissertation can become the basis for a scholarly article, series of articles, or book.

Along the way, you’ll develop close relationships with our expert faculty and benefit from their guidance. Many of our doctoral students have collaborated with faculty mentors on music education research and have presented alongside faculty at international conferences.

Music education needs new leaders. Join the ranks of scholars redefining music education for the 21 st century.

Let’s get started.

Awards & Accreditations

NASM Accredited: Boston University holds accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with 615 accredited institutional members.

Why Choose BU’s Doctorate of Music Education?

• The rigor of a top-notch program designed to fit your busy schedule.
• Tradition and innovation: employ the latest technology from a school that practically invented music education.
• Work with a diverse faculty of accomplished musicians, scholars, researchers, and educators.
• Immerse yourself in subjects that offer the potential to transform music education for you and your students.
• Study the history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and technology of music education.
• Engage with fellow music educators from around the world who will become contacts.
• Advance quickly through an accelerated curriculum with competitive cost.
• Access Boston University’s extensive, world-class resources.

Boston University  offers competitive tuition rates that meet the needs of part-time students seeking an affordable education. These rates are substantially lower than those of the traditional, full-time residential programs yet provide access to the same high-quality BU education. To learn more about current tuition rates, visit the  Tuition & Fees page .

The Boston University online Doctor in Music Arts in Music Education (MusAD) consists of 11 courses (44 credits) in the coursework phase of the degree, which can be completed continuously within 24 months. In addition to the 11 courses and qualifying examinations, students will attend an on-campus residency requirement of approximately one week (1 credit). Students then continue on to write their dissertation with the support of a supervisor (3 credits). The entire program is geared to be completed in an average of seven years and is comprised of 48 credits total. In addition, students travel to the Boston University campus for a culminating experience near the end of the program.

CFAME541 Introduction to Music Technology

The course will include activities designed to introduce students to significant technologies that can support music teaching and learning. These technologies will include music sequencing/production, recording, audio and MIDI editing, computer-based notation, graphic-based web authoring, social media for music distribution, and computer-assisted instruction software. The majority of learning activities will begin with a teacher demonstration of a set of skills in music software. Each demonstration will be followed by an assignment designed for students to practice those skills and demonstrate mastery of techniques. Information on applying for Level I TI:ME (Technology Institute for Music Educators) certification will be provided at the end of the course. [4 credits] [4 credits]

CFAME542 Music Technology Pedagogy

This course serves to expand the knowledge that many teachers have about uses of technology for teaching music. Students explore music technology pedagogy; that is, the practice of teaching music in a technologically enhanced environment and the special kinds of teaching skills required to do so effectively. Students examine theoretical foundations of the uses of technology for music teaching, including theories of student interaction with technology, multimedia principles, and technology-infused music curricula. Students will design a technology based curricular unit of music study and implement that unit in a real-world scenario such as their own classroom or studio. [4 credits]

CFAME543 Special Topics in Music Education Technology: Notation with Sibelius

ME543: Special Topics in Music Education Technology: Notation with Sibelius will focus on skill development with notation software. Students will develop advanced skills with techniques in notation software including multi-voice staves, part creation, custom styles, and page formatting. No prior experience with Sibelius or other notation software is expected. Students will be required to have access to their own installation of the latest version of Sibelius. [4 credits]

CFAME545 Power, Marginalization, and Privilege in Music Education

This course is designed to expand awareness of the intersections between music, education, and society as they relate to issues of power, privilege, and marginalization within US, educational, and global contexts. Students will participate in group discussions, individual reflection, and student-designed projects to increase awareness of their own biases and assumptions and deepen reflective practice in music making and teaching. Upon completion of the course, students should be better prepared to engage in acts of social justice, transform structural biases, build coalitions to effect change, and advocate for marginalized students in their own care. [4 credits]

CFAME740 Introduction to Music Education Research

In this course, students become acquainted with a variety of research that informs music education, learn both to critique and apply that research, and develop their scholarly writing skills. [4 credits]

CFAME741 History and Philosophy in Music Education: Perspectives and Practice

The purpose of this course is to examine and discuss historical and contemporary philosophical ideas and problems in music and music education. A goal is for students to develop a sharpened sensitivity to past and present thought (primarily, but not limited to historical and philosophical thought) in the field of music education in order to better inform their own curricular and instructional choices. [4 credits]

CFAME742 Psychology and Sociology in Music Education: Perspectives and Applications

The purpose of this course is to critically examine psychological and sociological concepts as they relate to music and education. Topics include key issues and concepts in psychology and sociology; psychology as related to music education processes; problems encountered in the sociology of music education; and cultural influences that affect both the psychology of the individual and the sociological aspects of group dynamics. [4 credits]

CFAME751 Community Music Perspectives

Drawing upon the social, cultural, political, and economic milieu including movements in music education, music therapy and ethnomusicology, this course first examines reasons for the growth and development of community music. Students will be asked to trace an aspect of community music that may be considered as part of its heritage and also to evaluate and critique a contemporary community music project through fieldwork. Students will then be in a position to articulate their own vision for community music both as a practicum and as a scholarly pursuit. [4 credits]

CFAME753 Introduction to Early Childhood Music Education

ME 753 will provide an overview of early childhood development and education. Students will then investigate the musical development of very young children, and explore the components of research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music education. Special attention will be paid to the role of play in childhood and designing and implementing play-based musical experiences. [4 credits]

CFAME840 Contemporary Issues in Music Education

Study of current issues influencing the state of music education in schools. Focus on the interpretation, implementation, and development of policy. Topics include public policy, politics, advocacy, diversity, evaluation, and curriculum. [4 credits]

CFAME841 Quantitative Research Methods

Quantitative research methods and their application to educational research contexts; quantitative research design, sampling techniques, reliability and validity, descriptive and inferential statistics, quantitative studies in music education, and using software to conduct statistical analysis. Prerequisite required: ME 859 Problems, Theories, and Literature (4 cr.) [4 credits]

CFAME842 Qualitative Research Methods

This course introduces graduate students to key issues and concepts in qualitative research. Students develop skills in conducting interviews, and observations; they gain experience with ethnographic and narrative techniques including transcribing, coding, interpreting data and presenting results of analysis. Prerequisite required: ME 859 Problems, Theories, and Literature (4 cr.) [4 credits]

CFAME859 Problems, Theories, and Literature

In this course, students begin the process of transitioning from their roles as graduate students to their lifelong roles as scholars. Topics and activities include: a scholarly reading and writing; theories and conceptual frameworks; constructing a research problem, rationale, and research questions; and creating an outline for a scholarly literature review. [4 credits]

CFAME921 Research and Directed Study in Music Education

Students will refine a research problem and rationale, engage critically with theoretical frameworks and relevant scholarly literature, and align appropriate research methods. Section A1 (for online DMA students) is a week-long residency on campus in Summer II; all other courses must be completed prior to enrollment. Section B1 (for on-campus DMA students) is to be completed in the last semester of coursework, Fall or Spring sem. 1 cr. [1 credits]

CFAMH750 Toward a 21st-Century Aesthetic of Musicking

This course will work toward a 21st-century aesthetic of musicking. Expanding on Christopher Small's reevaluation of performing and listening, students will investigate what it means for individuals and collectives "to musick" in the 21st century through notions of sound, (dis)place(ment), disability, ecology, media, ethnocentrism, morality, empathy, and provocation. After conceptualizing these frameworks, students will apply them to their communities to ground this understanding in the diverse worlds in which they live, teach, and work. [4 credits]

CFAMH835 American Music

Early music in the colonies. Various attempts to create an individual American musical style. Diversity of influences: European, African American, Indian, Spanish-Mexican, religious, jazz, folk song, minstrel, etc. Music of Billings, Lowell, Mason, Gottschalk, MacDowell, Ives, Gershwin, Copland, and others. [4 credits]

CFAMH837 MH837 Crossroads: Traditions in African-American Vernacular Music

The course addresses elements and aspects of African-American music which extend beyond the confines of blues, including early rock'n'roll, hip-hop, 1940s big band jazz, and beyond. Additionally, the course incorporates a variety of intertextual elements, including literary cross-currents in African-American linguistic theory (as relevant to music), including Henry Louis Gates' seminal text Signifying Monkey and more. [4 credits]

CFAMH862 An Ethnographic Exploration of African Musical Cultures

This course explores a selection of musics from sub-Saharan Africa in ethnographic context, with a particular focus on their practical application in the Western classroom or ensemble. This course is an intensive introduction to vastly diverse and contradictory music from a variety of African cultures. Rather than attempting a cursory regional overview, we will be exploring specific musics thematically. The course aims to provide you with a sense of the intensity of African musical creativity, its global ubiquitous influence, and an appreciation of how important music is to individual lived experiences. Students will find a variety of source material throughout this course. It includes scholarly writing, online sources, videos, sound recordings, musical exercises, journalistic material, as well as material drawn from the personal experiences of the instructor. Additional resources on African music and culture are included in the bibliography. Students are always encouraged to research additional material in this vast subject area. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have gained the knowledge and skill required to bring African music into their own classroom or ensemble. [4 credits]

CFAMT400 Graduate Theory Review

This course is dependent on a student's theory proficiency exam results. Review of fundamental music theory and analysis through the study of chord grammar, voice leading principles, figured bass, four-part chorale harmonizations and form. Materials are approached through listening, writing, and analytical work. Pre-requisite for MT600, unless placed out via theory proficiency exam. [2 credits]

CFAMT600 Analytical Techniques

Systematic and empirical investigations into formal and compositional procedures of selected masterworks from the tonal repertoire. Lectures leading to individual analytical projects. [4 credits]

CFAMT630 Orchestration

Orchestration I Contemporary orchestral techniques, focusing on scoring for modern winds, brass, strings and mixed ensembles, including full orchestra. Concepts include chord spacing, melodic projection, layering and delineation of material, and extended instrumental techniques. Materials are approached through readings, listening, writing and analytical work. [4 credits]

CFAMT781 Jazz and Popular Arranging

Standard notational methods; chord vocabulary; arrangements of popular melodies in a variety of styles; development of materials from lead sheets; class performance of arrangements. [4 credits]

Attention Arkansas Residents, please note: Enrollment in the MM in Music Education program offered by Boston University does not lead to public school (P–12) teacher licensure or a subject field endorsement (for public P–12 schools) in Arkansas.

Every day, our talented faculty of working artists challenges students to push the boundaries of Theatre, Music, and Visual Arts in the context of an elite research university.

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Summer Session

Some online DMA in Music Education degree students take advantage of our summer session, completing course work on campus, while enjoying Boston’s cultural offerings and summer sea breezes. Residence hall accommodations are usually available. More information including session dates, optional on-campus residence hall availability, financial aid, and tuition rates is communicated to students during the academic year.

Scholarships

Federal Stafford Loans Only

Getting Started

Admission to the DMA in Music Education happens once per year for the Fall term. Please complete our inquiry form to receive more information. For assistance with your application or to ask questions, please contact our admissions team at 1-855-884-5636, email [email protected] , or visit the CFA program website .

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Department of Music

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We have a global reputation for our world-leading research in composition, ethnomusicology, musicology, music technology, performance and psychology of music. Join our inspirational research community as a PhD student and start making a difference.

MPhil in Music (Composition)

• Entry requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course 

The MPhil is designed for students wishing to attain a thorough grounding in composition at an advanced level, either as a preparation for doctoral research or an autonomous qualification. In the first year you will follow the MSt in Music (Composition) , proceeding in the second year to individual supervision leading to the completion of a portfolio of compositions and written work.

The Master of Philosophy in Music (Composition) introduces a broad range of current methodologies and approaches in music scholarship.

The first year of the course is identical to that of the  MSt in Music (Composition) . The main teaching and coursework is completed in the first two terms; the third is reserved for completion of assessed work.

Core seminars

In the Michaelmas term there are typically six topics:

• historical musicology
• current trends in music theory
• the social and cultural study of music
• performance
• composition.

You may participate in as many of these seminars as you wish. Your first summative assessment will be a compositional exercise written in response to the composition core seminar.

Elective seminars

Each year a number of faculty members convene a series of ‘elective’ seminars based on their research interests, to help you prepare for your assessment essays. You are invited to attend as many of these seminars as you wish. Reading lists are sent out before the start of the courses and you are asked to prepare fully and contribute to the seminars. Most of the electives take place in Hilary term.

Recent seminar series included the following titles:

• Pitch, Amplitude, Timbre
• Brazilian Music
• Distributed Creativity in Composition and Performance
• Thirteenth-Century Motets
• Music and (Non) Religion
• Music and Race
• Gender and Sexuality in Popular Music Studies
• Music and Islamic Culture
• Beethoven between History and Myth.

Presentation seminars

Presentation seminars are held in Trinity term. Musicologists, performers and composers each prepare a presentation on their own research and are asked to respond to another student’s presentation in another; further feedback on presentation skills is received from the seminar convenor.

Second year

The second year is spent producing coursework, comprising a project and a portfolio (see the Assessment section below for further details). Students will meet with their supervisor regularly, but will not be expected to attend taught seminars. 

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Music and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of Music. All students receive regular supervision from an appropriate specialist on their chosen topic. 

Students can usually expect to meet with their supervisor between two and three times a term, depending on the needs of the student and at the discretion of the supervisor.

As the first year is identical to the MSt in Music (Composition), assessment will be through a musical composition in response to techniques presented in core composition seminars at the end of Michaelmas term. This will be followed by an essay submitted at the end of Hilary term. The final assessment of the first year includes a further essay in musicology or a further musical composition produced in response to techniques presented in composition seminars; and a larger musical composition or portfolio of compositions, at the end of Trinity term.

In order to proceed to the second year of the MPhil, you will normally need to obtain an average of 65% for your first year work overall, and a mark of over 70 in your composition portfolio.

The second year is spent producing coursework, comprising a project (which could be a short dissertation, analysis portfolio, portfolio of essays of ethnomusicological work, or critical edition) and a portfolio of at least two well-contrasted compositions.

Graduate destinations

Typical graduate destinations include doctoral research in music, teaching, arts management, performance and other music-related or broadly cultural professions.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• an average mark of 67% or higher in an undergraduate degree with honours in music or related fields.

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.6 out of 4.0. However, most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.7.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• Relevant professional experience may be considered as a substitute for academic attainment.
• Publications are not expected.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are not normally held as part of the admissions process.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

The Faculty of Music is situated in specially adapted premises in St Aldates which include teaching and lecture rooms, offices, the faculty's library with listening, audio-visual and microfilm rooms, a dedicated Graduate Centre, a common room, the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, the multimedia resource centre (MRC), an electronic recording studio, computing facilities, an ensemble room, a rehearsal/lecture hall and a suite of practice rooms.

The University’s Bodleian Library, receives every important British musicological study, in addition to acquiring most major books and editions published elsewhere; it has particularly important collections of printed sources for early music theory and nineteenth-century sheet music. Its manuscript collection contains many important sources for early English and European music, as do several college libraries. Other significant research collections are held at the Taylorian Library (modern languages), the Bodleian Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library and the Maison Française. Oxford’s three important collections of musical instruments are the faculty’s Bate Collection, the Ashmolean Museum’s Hill Collection of old stringed and keyboard instruments, and the Pitt Rivers Museum’s extensive collection of ethnographic materials. The Music Faculty Library is the University’s main repository for sound recordings and holds DVD recordings of opera, film and classical music. The library’s multimedia resource centre has 11 stand-alone Mac-based composition and research workstations with Sibelius 7 notation software, Pro Tools 10 audio production platform and Max/MSP audio and video modular programming language installed as standard, as well as specialist software for video editing, noise-removal, sound design, graphics editing, audio digitisation and transcription.

Studio facilities

The faculty’s Electronic Music Recording Studio (EMS) includes a dedicated, acoustically-treated control room, with tie-lines that are connected to the Octaphonic Research and Composition Studio and the Denis Arnold Hall, allowing for recording anything from single instruments up to full-size orchestras. Software in the control room and music technology lab includes the latest versions of Pro Tools Sibelius, Max/MSP, Logic Pro, Composers Desktop Project and Soundloom. Plug-ins by Waves (Gold Bundle) and Native Instruments are also available. A dedicated AVID C|24 control surface and Miller Kriesel stereo monitoring completes the control room. The Octaphonic Research and Composition Studio (OSCaR) is a cutting-edge facility allowing the user to compose spatially using acousmatic technique, or perhaps explore possibilities of music perception and environment. It consists of eight speakers arranged in a diamond formation plus software, used to artificially simulate an acoustic environment. Software platforms in the room include Logic Pro, Soundloom and Max-MSP. There is also a Yamaha Disklavier piano with MIDI connectivity to the studio computer so performance can be captured digitally. The studio also functions as a 7.1, 5.1 and stereo mix room, allowing users to explore areas such as composition for media and film. The Ensemble Recording Suite, suitable for recording medium-sized ensembles, is a 16-input, multi-track recording studio, with full floating-room acoustic isolation, air conditioning and professional audio tie-lines into a large acoustically designed live room with natural daylight and a view of Christ Church gardens, also boasting a Yamaha Baby Grand Disklavier piano. The studio is built around a Universal Audio Apollo Quad interface with Audient ASP 880 microphone preamps and Neumann monitoring. There is a complimentary collection of professional microphones available to use also including an AEA R88 mk2 Stereo ribbon microphone and the DPA d:note classical recording kit.

Graduate Centre

There are listening facilities and a composition workstation available in the Graduate Centre, which includes vinyl, tape and CD playback, as well as the latest versions of Sibelius, Max/MSP, Logic Pro and Composers Desktop with a MOTU audio interface, M-Audio MIDI keyboard and controller, and laser printer (for printing scores).

The University of Oxford Music Faculty is one of the largest and perhaps liveliest music departments in the UK.

As a globally renowned centre of teaching and research in all aspects of music, it is an exciting and stimulating environment for work and study.

Students have the benefit of international experts to supervise research, access to outstanding libraries, and the stimulus of a committed group of like-minded students and scholars in a range of subjects.

Subject areas, approaches, and modes of study are very varied. Students may concentrate on, for example:

• Western music history (from chant to the present day)
• popular music studies
• ethnomusicology
• music psychology
• music education
• sound studies
• source studies
• music theory
• aesthetics and criticism
• composition and analysis
• musical instruments
• musical performance and interpretation.

Many individual research projects are unique in their blend of approaches. Frequently, these extend into other academic disciplines such as literature, art history, psychology, philosophy, anthropology or general history.

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The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs. However, as part of your course requirements, you may need to choose a dissertation, a project or a thesis topic. Please note that, depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students on the MPhil in Music (Composition):

• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Hertford College
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Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You do not need to make contact with the department before you apply but you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Referees Three overall, academic preferred

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

References should generally be academic, though you may use one professional reference.

Your references will support compositional ability, academic achievement, motivation, and research promise.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Statement of purpose/personal statement: A maximum of 1,000 words

Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialise in.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

This will be assessed for the evidence it supplies of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study; the ability to present a reasoned case in English; feasibility and coherence of proposed composition project to be pursued during the course.

Written work: One essay of a maximum of 3,000 words 

An academic essay or other writing sample from your most recent qualification, written in English, is required. An extract of the requisite length from longer work, such as an undergraduate dissertation, is also permissible.

Written work should generally be about composition. The word count does not need to include any bibliography or brief footnotes.

This will be assessed for:

• understanding of the subject area
• ability to construct and defend an argument
• powers of analysis
• powers of expression.

Portfolio: Two or three compositions with a combined duration of 30 minutes

Scores should be uploaded to your application in form of a PDF or JPG as ‘Written work’. 

You should also send in mp3/mp4 recordings to Graduate Admissions via the  document upload portal  (it is not possible to send these file types via the application form).  If the file exceeds the file-size limit of our document upload portal or you encounter an error uploading it, it should instead be hosted on a website or service that is publicly accessible via the internet, eg via Vimeo, YouTube, Flickr or your own website. You will need to embed the URL (and password, if necessary) for the recording in a PDF file and upload this using the  document upload portal .

Compositions will be assessed for their demonstration of invention, critical awareness of the field of contemporary classical composition, musicality, technical assurance and for their clarity of presentation.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 5 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

†Combined for all the faculty's MPhil courses *Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Faculty of Music

• Course page on the faculty's website
• Funding information from the faculty
• Academic and research staff
• Faculty research
• Humanities Division
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 286264

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Research opportunities

Expertise of research area acoustic; composition; electro-acoustic; film music; music and literature; music and science; music and wellbeing; music technology; music theatre; musicology; psychology of music

The School of Music offers three research programmes, including a practice-based research (MPhil/PhD) degree.

<p>Whilst studying with us you’ll benefit from support and networking opportunities via the Centre for Practice-Led Research in the Arts (CePRA) and the <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/music-research-innovation">research groups</a>:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Music as Culture</p> </li> <li> <p>Music, Science and Technology</p> </li> <li> <p>Making Music</p> </li> </ul> <p>You’ll be part of a thriving postgraduate community and benefit from regular events and performances within the School, and also the wider University.</p> <p>We will enable you to pursue advanced, independent research under the guidance of specialist supervisors. Areas of supervision expertise available in the School:</p> <ul> <li> <p>performance history, theory and practice</p> </li> <li> <p>composition</p> </li> <li> <p>music psychology</p> </li> <li> <p>music technology</p> </li> <li> <p>electronic and computer music</p> </li> <li> <p>popular music</p> </li> <li> <p>film music</p> </li> <li> <p>opera studies</p> </li> <li> <p>historical, contextual and ethnographic studies</p> </li> <li> <p>aesthetics and critical theory</p> </li> <li> <p>music analysis</p> </li> </ul> <h2>PhD by Distance Learning</h2> <p>It is possible to study for a PhD by Distance Learning,for further information contact <a href="mailto:[email protected]?subject=PhD%20by%20Distance%20Learning">Dr Pammi Sinha</a> , Head of the Graduate School.</p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made <a href="http://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/130206/applying/91/applying_for_research_degrees">online</a>. Please state clearly the research area you are interested in.</p> <p>Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures<br /> The minimum English language requirements for Schools in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component.</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

<p>For further information please contact the School of Music.<br /> e: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p>