uk music education phd

School of Arts and Creative Technologies

PhD and MPhil in Music

Combine creativity and innovation with academic study to develop key skills for your future career in the field, academia or research.

If your passion lies in research, our doctoral degrees provide the opportunity to combine academia with creativity and innovation. Study with us and receive expert research guidance from our supportive staff, who will encourage you to achieve your full potential.

Your research

Research in Music at the University of York is wide ranging. We have specialists in historical, cultural and critical musicology, composition (acoustic and electronic), performance (especially contemporary performance practices and historical informed practice), music analysis, music education, music psychology and cognition, music AI, and new audio technologies. Many projects are interdisciplinary, involving collaboration with researchers beyond Music.

[email protected] +44 (0)1904 325220

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These perspectives are embedded within our three Research Clusters: the Contemporary Music Research Cluster, the Musical Cultures and Communities Research Cluster and the Music, Science and Technology Research Cluster. 

Discover more about staff research and expertise

MPhil or PhD projects can use theoretical or experimental methods, can take place through performance, composition, or improvisation, or can involve a comvination of approaches/

Postgraduate research provides opportunities to develop your academic, creative and practical skills. You'll work independently in an academic environment where creativity and scholarship are equally balanced. 

You'll meet regularly with your research supervisor and will have the opportunity to participate in an exciting range of research events.

This PhD programme is aimed at individuals:

• seeking to reach a professional standard of academic research and to pursue a career in either Higher Education or areas of professional practice;
• working professionally in any field of music and wishing to make a career move into teaching and research in Higher Education;
• working in any field of music and wishing to develop their careers with the production of a substantial piece of original research.

A PhD or MPhil by Performance allows you to develop original, innovative, creative research projects.

• The programme has a full-time and a part-time route. The full-time route comprises three years’ study for a PhD, two for an MPhil, both with one optional ‘continuation’ year for completion. The part-time route comprises six years’ study for a PhD, or four for an MPhil, again with the additional ‘continuation’ year for completion, as necessary.
• You will work under the supervision of one or more staff members with expertise relevant to the project topic. As a research student you are also supported by a Thesis Advisory panel (TAP) , which includes an additional academic staff member (not your supervisor).
• As either a PhD or MPhil student, you will submit a portfolio of performance projects, fully documented through video/audio recordings. The portfolio is to be accompanied by critical writing that draws out the research embedded in the practice, discussing aspects of the performance processes and situating the work in a research context. The number and scale of the performance projects, and the length of the written submission, will be negotiated with your supervisor and agreed with your TAP. This will be in relation to the nature of the work and the programme for which you are registered (PhD or MPhil).

A PhD or MPhil by Composition allows you to develop original, innovative, creative research projects.

• You will work under the supervision of one or more staff members with expertise relevant to the project topic. As a research student you are also supported by a Thesis Advisory panel (TAP) , which includes an additional academic staff member (not your supervisor).
• As either a PhD or MPhil student, you will submit a portfolio of composition projects, fully documented through video/audio recordings and/or scores, as appropriate. The portfolio is to be accompanied by critical writing that draws out the research embedded in the practice, discussing aspects of the composition processes and situating the work in a research context. The number and scale of the compositions, and the length of the written submission, will be negotiated with your supervisor and agreed with your TAP. This will be in relation to the nature of the work and the programme for which you are registered (PhD or MPhil).

Our PhD and MPhil by written thesis allows you to develop an original and innovative research project.

• The programme has a full-time and a part-time route. The full-time route comprises three years’ study for a PhD, two for an MPhil, both with one optional ‘continuation’ year for completion. The part-time route comprises six years’ study for a PhD, or four for an MPhil, again with the additional ‘continuation’ year for completion, as necessary.
• You will work independently on a project of your choosing, guided by your supervisor, honing your scholarship and research skills. Word limits for theses are not fixed but, as a guide, when a thesis is the sole submission it is usually expected to be 30,000-50,000 words for a MPhil, and 70,000-100,000 words for a PhD.

If you have started a PhD in Music and find that you need to relocate, you will have the option of transferring to a PhD in Music by distance learning, giving you the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world, with supervision and progression meetings taking place online. For further information, email [email protected] .

UNESCO certified Creative City of Media Arts

York as a city is recognised as a hotbed of creative talent, acting as a gateway to international markets. For two millennia York has been the meeting point for ideas and creativity. Today it is nicknamed the 'City of Festivals'.

Variety of ensembles

Immerse yourself in music and join one of our many staff-conducted or student-led ensembles. From gospel choir to Gamelan to musical theatre societies, York has ample opportunities for you to perform with like-minded people. We also hold a vibrant weekly concert programme.

Explore Arts and Creative Technologies funding for PhD/MPhil researchers and wider postgraduate support.

Supervision

We'll help match your research interests to our supervisory expertise. You'll have a weekly or fortnightly meeting with your supervisor during semester time.

Fantastic facilities

You’ll have access to the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall and the Rymer Auditorium, as well as five recording studios, fantastic practice facilities and our large collection of historical and world instruments.

Research excellence

We are rated in the UK Top 30 for music research according to the Times Higher Education's ranking of the latest REF results (REF 2021).

Course location

This course is run by the School of Arts and Creative Technologies.

You will be based mostly on  Campus West . Most of your training and supervision meetings will take place here. Some of our facilities are based on  Campus East , and your research may take you further afield.

Entry requirements

An MA degree with the equivalent of a distinction or very high merit, or equivalent experience.

For the composition pathway, you should have an MA in Composition and be able to evidence a high level of ability and originality in composition.

For the performance pathway, you should be able to demonstrate sustained professional experience as a performer.

If you have any questions about the suitability of your qualifications, please contact a member of staff. 

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your ability.

Apply for the PhD in Music

Apply for the MPhil in Music

Take a look at the  supporting documents  you may need for your application.

Find out more about how to apply .

Identify a supervisor

You should identify a potential supervisor in our faculty whose area of research overlaps with yours. We encourage you to contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply.

You should note your preferred supervisor in your application.

Supporting documents

We require you to submit the following documents:

• If you wish to specialise in composition, supply two examples of scores you have composed and, if available, recordings of performances of your compositions.
• If you wish to specialise in performance, you will be required to play or sing if you are invited to an interview, and you should bring with you to the interview an essay of about 3,000 words on a topic related to performance practice. If you are unable to attend an interview then you should send a certified recording of a recent performance and an essay of about 3,000 words on a topic related to performance practice.
• If you wish to specialise in another area, eg musicology, analysis, ethnomusicology or music education, supply an essay of 3,000 to 5,000 words on a topic related to your proposed field of study.

Submit your application

You can apply and send all your documentation electronically through our online system. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start, save, and finish it later.

We will respond to your application in four to six weeks. You may track the status of your application and view any official correspondence online.

Careers and skills

Your PhD or MPhil will help to extend your qualifications, giving you the ability to use analysis-based research for application within music including in contemporary music, musical cultures and communities and music, science and technology. You will become equipped with transferable skills in using creativity to solve problems, critical analysis and composition, presentation and performance. Ultimately, your PhD will help to open the door to various creative, technical, analytical, research and managerial roles in your chosen field within this growing industry.

Our dedicated careers team offer specific support including a programme of professional researcher development and careers workshops and 1:1 career support sessions. They will help you to build up your employability portfolio and to engage in activities that will build up your skills and experience within and outside of your research work.

Discover York

We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to deluxe.

Discover more about our researchers, facilities and why York is the perfect choice for your research degree.

Graduate Research School

Connect with researchers across all disciplines to get the most out of your research project.

Meet us online or on campus

Find out all you need to know about applying to York

Scholarships

Find scholarships to support your studies

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

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Discover more about music

PhD Music (Musicology) / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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• 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).
• Develop your research at one of the UK's leading research centres for Music Studies, with expertise spanning historical musicology, ethnomusicology, jazz, popular music, and performance studies.
• Benefit from access to experts in a range of research areas in Musicology and related interdisciplinary fields.

We will be conducting our Humanities 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.

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

PhD Music Research Programmes (W300)

The Music doctoral programme offers excellent research facilities and expert supervision in a wide variety of subjects, including musicology, composition and performance. Our range of staff expertise is among the broadest in the country, embracing repertories from medieval music to the twenty-first century.

Introducing your degree

Make a contribution to the world of music through an PhD Music Research Programme degree at the University of Southampton. You can select your research topic from a wide range, allowing you to develop advanced expertise in your area of choice. You will be supervised by our leading professionals, ensuring you gain the tools and knowledge to conduct your research to the best of your ability. Apply for the PhD Music Research Programme today and enhance your musical potential.

Programme Overview

Our PhD supervisors are specialists in music history from the Middle Ages to the present, global music history, opera studies, theory and analysis, music and gender, music and heritage studies, arts and cultural management, music technology (including Web Science and artificial intelligence), and ethnomusicology. We welcome PhD applications in performance studies (including critical editing, performance practice and reception theory) and all kinds of composition, including film music, electronic music and music-based performance art. See our  staff pages for more information about individual supervisors and their expertise.

Career opportunities are wide ranging and varied.  Opportunities exist as a member of a research team in academia, leading to future leadership positions within an academic context.  The nature of the generic and discipline-specific skills obtained during your study make your experience and skills attractive to a range of organisations post qualification.

Doctoral Programme Director:  

Dr Erin Johnson-Williams Email:   [email protected]

www.southampton.ac.uk/music/

View the doctoral programme profile for this course

Application process and required supporting documents

• University online application including a personal statement
• research proposal
• 2 references
• English language (if relevant)
• 1 sample of written work – either a master’s thesis, or a substantial essay (this can include current coursework) of approximately 5000 words, and/or published work i.e. Journal article, book chapter, CD liner notes
• Performance PhD : As above, but in addition a sample of recorded solo or accompanied performance totalling 20-25 minutes.

Candidates are advised to contact prospective supervisors with the subject of their proposed research prior to application.

Contact for postgraduate enquiries: Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 7433 [email protected] www.southampton.ac.uk/music

Duration: Up to 4 years (full-time); up to 7 years (part-time)

Start date: Normally September and January each year

Closing date: 3 months before start date (also dependent on funding body deadlines); an application decision cannot be guaranteed in time for programme commencement unless a complete application is received in good time - students requiring a visa to study should also allow extra time for visa processes; informal enquiries welcome at any time

Other University of Southampton sites

• Music research
• Music staff

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements.

Academic entry requirements : First or upper second class honours degree and normally Masters at Merit* level, or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University in Music.

(*Merit 60%-69%, Distinction 70%+)

Equivalent Qualifications: We will also consider candidates who do not have a Masters degree if they can demonstrate; outstanding undergraduate performance including evidence of preparedness for research (e.g. first class honours and 75% or more in the dissertation in a relevant subject); or appropriate professional experience which may include performance and composition and be able to demonstrate advanced writing skills; or other appropriate qualifications.

English language entry requirements: PhD in Musicology: IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in all components, PhD in Composition or Performance: IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component., or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University.

Selection process

Selection process: Online application and interview

Applications will be assessed under the following

• Evidence of general academic aptitude
• Preparedness or promise for doctoral research
• Quality of the research project proposal
• Fit with Southampton's research expertise

Applicant Quality: Your application will be judged against the following criteria: 

• it provides evidence that you meet our entry requirements
• it demonstrates your personal suitability and commitment to undertake Doctoral study
• it provides supportive references that indicate your suitability to undertake a PhD
• it presents a well-focused and high quality research proposal which indicates potential to contribute original research to the discipline
• it demonstrates critical awareness of the scholarly field to which the research will contribute, and appropriate methods to carry out this work
• it may strengthen your application if you can demonstrate genuine interest in working with a named academic in the department 

Personal Statement: Use your Personal Statement to provide additional information relevant to your application. This should include the following:

• outline your reasons for wishing to conduct postgraduate research in your chosen area
• explain how your proposed research matches the research environment and supervisory expertise offered by Music at Southampton
• reflect on how your education, skills, and experience will equip you for PhD study and to undertake your planned research
• indicate details of any other achievements/interests
• indicate any special circumstances pertaining to the academic record
• tell us what you hope to get from the programme

This page contains specific entry requirements for this course. Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country.

Programme Structure

Typical course content.

We have an active research community with about 40 postgraduate students. There is a dedicated Music Postgraduate Room in the department, to which all postgraduates have 24-hour access. This provides study spaces for up to 20 students at any one time, networked computers with standard office and specialist music software, printing and scanning facilities, and storage space. Our computing laboratory and electronic studios are also available for postgraduate use. Students find a supportive and friendly research environment, and we encourage you to take part in the academic community within the University and in the broader context of the discipline, both nationally and internationally.

The PhD by Research programme has no modules per semester. Instead, it is an entirely research-oriented programme in which students conduct original research under the guidance of their supervisors. We also supply a range of training programmes, aimed at helping you to complete your thesis or composition portfolio and developing skills for presenting and publishing your work. Our regular research seminars and presentations, including the Hartley Residency series, provide opportunities to meet other researchers and enrich your thinking.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees.

Fees for postgraduate research degrees vary across the University. All fees are listed for UK, EU and international full-time and part-time students alphabetically by course name.

Please be aware that UK/EU column only apply to UK students.

Scholarships, bursaries, sponsorships or grants may be available to support you through your course. Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or your country of origin. These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.

Learning & Teaching

A postgraduate research degree from Humanities at Southampton offers you the wide and varied experience you should expect from a leading research university. We are committed to providing a relevant, modern and above all enjoyable environment in which to undertake your research project, along with the opportunity to gain the additional skills and understanding you need to start a career in any number of areas including academia.

How will you learn?

On a postgraduate research programme is led by academic staff, allowing you to engage with, and contribute to, the world-leading research carried out in Humanities at Southampton. Independent learning is the main element of undertaking postgraduate research, but we will guide you through the research experience by providing not only a dedicated supervisory team who will be on hand to help you to shape and direct your research project, but also a programme of research and transferrable skills training to prepare you not only for the project, but also for the career path you may wish to follow after its completion. If there are gaps in your knowledge when you start with us, you can join our taught masters’ students on one of their courses to provide you with the additional grounding you need.

We view our doctoral candidates as early stage researchers, so expect you to get involved with the wider research environment within, and external to, the university. Our disciplines have many unique and exciting additional opportunities for you engage with: such as visiting Chawton House Library, the former home of Jane Austen; studying the Broadlands Archive, containing the papers of Palmerston and Mountbatten; being part of one of our student-led interdisciplinary reading groups; and the chance to hear from visiting speakers from international universities who are frequent part of our Research Centre-led lecture and seminar series. You will have many opportunities to give papers and presentations, receiving feedback from peers and colleagues on how you can improve your work, maximise its effectiveness and gain recognition for your efforts.

Students on the Distance Learning pathway have electronic access to learning resources (e.g. Blackboard; VLE; EAP Toolkit, an online English for Academic Purposes self-access resource) as well as additional support from the learning technologists based in the Faculty’s eLanguages unit. The Hartley Library offers an extensive and growing collection of e-books and electronic articles (JSTORE).

The goal of a PhD is a final thesis of 75,000 words. Assessment methods for progress relating to your research thesis will include oral presentations, written assignments, research proposal and progression reviews including Confirmation of PhD Registration. Summative assessment of the research thesis will include a viva voce examination with internal and external examiners.

Professional development

A PhD will enable you to further develop the key skills employers seek such as: time management; problem solving; team work; deadline and project management; cultural awareness; working independently; using your initiative; relationship-building; critical thinking and research analysis. Above all, you will learn to communicate your ideas and enthusiasm for your research to a wide range of audiences.

Study locations

Highfield campus

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• Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
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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. 

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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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• Full-time: Up to 4 years
• Part-time: Up to 8 years
• Start date: Multiple available
• UK fees: £5,100
• International fees: £21,500

Research overview

Invest your time and follow your passion to create original research. We know the commitment you will making so you'll get expert supervision from our internationally recognised researchers. We encourage you to identify a potential supervisor to discuss your proposal with as early as possible.

Research areas

We have particular strengths in four core areas.

Music, space and place

• Music and musical culture in a specific time and place
• Transnational and transcultural exchange
• Urban geographies and mobility

Music-text-image

• How music interacts with other art forms
• Applying and developing methodologies from other disciplines

Musical creativity and community

• Musical creativity
• Development of communities and networks

Music, politics and identity

• How music has contributed to local, national and international political change
• How music shapes individual identities

Explore all our research themes and projects in detail

Performance opportunities

There's plenty of opportunities to play and perform :

• individually and as part of ensembles
• on-campus and as part of the wider Nottingham musical scene

Your department

• Department of Music website
• The department was ranked 7th among the Russell Group universities for research outputs in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

" The music I grew up with and enjoy listening to was not part of the music history I was studying. So when I did a PhD, I decided to move away from opera (which I also like) and focus on musicals. "

Hannah Robbins, Assistant Professor in Popular Music and Director of Black Studies

Course content

Normally taken full-time over three years or part-time over six years (with an optional extra year for writing up, submission and viva).

• complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with expert support and advice from your academic supervisors
• take a verbal examination (viva voce) where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.

Example recent theses in the department

Their Dreams and Ours: Britten, Film, and 'The Turn of the Screw' - Peter Auker

Intermezzo under Hapsburg rule (1707-1734): new theories of composition and musical meaning - Eric Boaro

Changing the record: reassessing effectiveness and value in prison music projects - Sarah Doxat-Pratt

A critical and reflective commentary on a portfolio of compositions (audio) - Angela Slater

A range of optional music modules are available in consultation with your supervisory team. Examples include:

Explore a range of musical cultures beyond the traditional canon of Western art music.

Introduce the fields of ethnomusicology and popular music studies. You'll look at different:

• theories of music

from a diverse range of cultures and communities.

We delve into musical traditions and popular culture from around the world, including case studies from Asia, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Pacific.

As well as ethnomusicological theory and method you'll get an overview of key issues and debates in Anglophone popular music. You will also develop critical skills for the analysis of musical practice in diverse contexts.

This module is worth 10 credits.

This module centres on participation in primary school music teaching in partnership with the Nottingham Music Hub. Students attend weekly in-school sessions throughout the autumn and spring semesters, assisting with Nottingham First Access mentoring (In Harmony and/or Whole Class Ensemble) or contributing to the direction of post-first-access ensembles. In the spring semester, fortnightly classes will supplement the in-school experience with sessions on topics such as: the national music plan and music hubs; different teaching and learning styles; Musical Futures; musical inclusion and teaching in inner-city schools; and special educational needs.

See our BA Music year two and three modules for more examples of modules available to you.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our  Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

Your application should include a 1000-3000 word research proposal , containing a proposed title, an aim, objectives, methods, summary of content and outline bibliography.

We encourage you to get in touch with  Dr Nick Baragwanath  about your research proposal before submitting an application. They may be able to help you with your proposal and offer support in finding funding.

Supervisors

You will have a minimum of two supervisors who will offer expert guidance, support and feedback throughout your research. 

Joint supervision and collaboration may be available from partner universities for Midlands4Cities funded students.

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Programme

Midlands4Cities (M4C) PhD students benefit from a high quality package of:

• enhanced support and training
• expert supervision
• excellent networking opportunities

You must apply for a place at Nottingham before submitting your M4C application.

Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and partners we sometimes have specific funding available for Music postgraduate students.

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

The department's lively research culture offers the chance to hear visiting scholars from elsewhere in the UK and from overseas. Events include:

• regular research seminars
• professional concerts
• conferences

Research in progress

These sessions for staff and postgraduates give you the space to present your developing work in a friendly and constructive environment. They also allow you to broaden your knowledge of the subject and gain a better sense of how research develops as part of an interactive process.

There are numerous opportunities to play and perform for both players and singers including:

• University-wide orchestra and choir
• Over 20 dedicated ensembles covering all types of music
• A lively and wide-ranging musical culture in the city of Nottingham.

Find out more about performance opportunities

Research centres

The department hosts two research centres that you are encouraged to get involved in. They offer opportunities for research, performance and event support.

Nottingham Forum for Artistic Research (NottFAR)

NottFAR features performances and composers from our staff and high profile guests from around the UK and abroad. Performances take part both on-campus and at major venues in Nottingham such as the  Royal Concert Hall and Rough Trade . 

Centre for Music on Stage and Screen (MOSS)

Promotes the interaction of history, theory and practice in the study of opera, ballet, melodrama, film, video and other multi-media performance genres. It encourages multi-disciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration.

Midlands4Cities students

If you are funded through the Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership you will complete a portfolio of research training, devised in consultation with your supervisors and Head of Postgraduate Studies.

Language learning

You can make full use of the  Language Centre  facilities for both research-specific learning and personal interest.

Find out more about our  postgraduate support and community .

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Graduate centres

Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

• socialising
• computer work
• kitchen facilities

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services , including:

• academic and disability support
• childcare services
• counselling service
• faith support
• financial support
• mental health and wellbeing support
• visa and immigration advice
• welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer .

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• international students
• black and minority ethnic students
• students who identify as women
• students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

University park campus.

University Park Campus  covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Record, compose, research and experiment

• Djanogly Recital Hall  – acoustically designed, 200-seat hall
• Rehearsal Hall  – performances, workshops and teaching
• Recording studio  - industry standard with adjacent live room
• Digital composition studio  – iMacs and specialist technology
• Practice rooms  - 13 purpose-built rooms with pianos
• Denis Arnold music library - specialist collections

We also have strong links with  venues and spaces  in the rest of Nottingham.

Lakeside Arts

The on-campus Lakeside Arts Centre has an exciting and diverse programme of performances including classical, choral, jazz, folk, 'global', dance, and many other excursions into sound!

Discount tickets available to all students along with work experience and volunteering opportunities.

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Our graduates go on to many different careers. Examples include:

• Music management
• Programme controller
• Civil Service Fast Stream
• Accountancy
• Airline pilot

Our recent PhD students have gone on to academic positions at the following universities:

• Pavia (Italy)
• Open University

50% of postgraduates from SCHOOL/COURSE NAME secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £25,000.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022 . The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on data from graduates who completed a full-time postgraduate degree with home fee status and are working full-time within the UK.

The Department enjoys a close relationship with a number of performance venues in the local area, providing opportunities for public engagement and real world experience.

Related courses

Music composition phd, music performance phd, research excellence framework.

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• 7th among the Russell Group universities for research outputs
• 80% of our publications, compositions and recordings rated as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'
• 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
• 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 24 October 2023 . Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

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Course detail

Entry requirements.

• Fees & funding
• Study & career progression

Our PhDs are supported by staff who are engaged in a range of specialisms that combine practice-led research and advanced professional practice with theoretical and technical analysis.

We have expert supervisory capability across a wide variety of topics and issues. We welcome applications for doctoral research in both traditional and progressive disciplines including:

• audio technology
• cultural studies
• composition
• festival studies
• gender, diversity and creativity within musical areas
• historical studies
• musical aesthetics and analysis
• music pedagogy
• music performance
• record production and mixing
• theatre and performance practice.

See a list of potential PhD supervisors and read about their expertise in the 'Supervisors' section lower down this page.

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 Music with us?

What our students say…

A strong supervisory team, who were critical yet building, together with ample support from administrative staff got me through this rewarding journey - combined with an overall a sense of camaraderie with fellow doctoral students.

World-leading Research

The University of West London has been recognised by the Government's Research Excellence Framework (REF) for its exceptional research work.

Research Repository -Music

The Repository is a digital archive of research output by our academics and research students.

You will have a supervisory team made up of a Director of Studies with expertise in your chosen field, a further supervisor and, where appropriate, an additional adviser. 

Your research will be judged through the presentation of a thesis or artefact and a viva voce for academic assessment. We provide a stimulating and supportive environment where you will benefit from: 

• peer feedback and discussion   
• a series of master-classes and lectures from industry figures   
• support by a supervisor and second supervisor suited to your project. 

About PhD study

This course is available for you to study either on a full-time or part-time basis and you have the flexibility to switch should you need to.

A PhD is founded on independent research. You will undertake a systematic and in-depth exploration of your chosen topic to produce a substantial body of knowledge and make an original and important contribution to the subject area.

We offer theoretical PhDs and in addition – requiring submission of a significant practical artefact – both practice-oriented PhDs, and a practice-based DMus pathway designed for candidates with existing professional experience. 

The support provided by your supervisory team will be vital to your student experience and scholarly advancement.  You and your supervisors will have regular one-to-one meetings which will provide you with opportunities to develop your research topic and discuss your progress.

Our research record

LCM has delivered numerous funding-council projects and staff have founded and led several global research networks for two decades. In REF2021, nearly 70% of our submissions were graded as ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’. LCM also hosts the incredible Pete Townshend vintage synthesizer collection.

Also see individual staff profiles.

Based in the heart of Ealing, west London, you can make use of the excellent transport links to travel to the the capital or further afield - ideal for attending research meetings and networking events.

Got a question?

If you would like guidance or more information about studying for a research degree, you can contact Professor David Osbon .

To enable you to enhance your professional profile, we support you throughout your research degree by:

• providing research seminars
• organising doctoral events and activities
• facilitating networking and collaboration opportunities
• encouraging and supporting publication and dissemination of your research
• offering opportunities to gain teaching expertise and experience.

We provide structured research training, expert supervision, and an environment where you can discuss your research with other PhD students and researchers.

We run seminars in research methods from the Graduate Centre, as well as an ongoing series of events and activities organised by Schools and Colleges. Specialist help with academic English for students for whom English is not their first language is available.

• Our specialist Music Technology Facilities include 18 professionally designed studios, nine live rooms, 10 analogue consoles, five professional-standard live-room recording spaces, and a comprehensive range of microphones, backlines and more.
• Performance spaces: Our fully equipped performance spaces include Lawrence Hall, a 200-seat black box studio theatre.
• Production studios: We have four black box production rooms featuring performance dance floors, ballet barres, wall mirrors and ¾ drapes.
• One-to-one teaching pods: We have five acoustically isolated teaching pods featuring Roland and Korg digital pianos and mirrors.
• Music performance rooms: All music performance rooms feature drums and backline plus PA support.
• Basement practice rooms: 12 instrumental practice rooms with Steinway pianos. Three percussion practice and teaching rooms. Percussion rooms feature Pearl kits with recording and playback systems.
• Media Resource Centre: At our Media Resource Centre you'll find extensive portable audio recording systems, including up to 24-track digital HD recording and portable Focusrite RedNet systems.
• The Paul Hamlyn Library: The Paul Hamlyn Library provides an extensive range of books, journals and digital resources, PC and Mac workstations and a variety of study spaces. Find out more about what the  Paul Hamlyn Library has to offer .

We contribute to national and international initiatives and promote collaboration and networking opportunities. We also encourage and support you to publish and disseminate your research in academic journals and via presenting papers at conferences.

We run an annual conference for doctoral students, where you are encouraged to present a paper about your research. As well as being an opportunity to discuss your work with other students, the conference is a chance to gain valuable experience in presenting your research and participating in open discussions with academic peers.

You will also find other opportunities such as postgraduate student seminars and forums within your specific subject area.

Once you start a PhD course at UWL, you become part of our research community. You will have access to a postgraduate common room, located at our Ealing campus on St Mary’s Road, where you will meet fellow researchers from other subject disciplines offering scope for collaborations or simply to discuss ideas, allowing you to be part of a vibrant research environment.

• Requirements: UK
• Requirements: International

The minimum entry requirements for a research degree are:

• a good first degree (First Class or Upper Second Class), or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
• a Masters Degree (MA, MSc, MBA or MRes) with Merit, or equivalent postgraduate or research experience.

We look for students with:

• a passion for their chosen subject.

You will also have a well thought through and persuasive proposal.

• Competence in written and spoken English is a pre-requisite for entrance to this programme. An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 (with no element under 6.0).

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

Funding for postgraduate students usually comes from one or more of a range of key sources:

• research councils
• charities and trust funds, including those funded by the UK government
• higher Education institutions
• overseas governments (international students only)
• professional and career development loans
• self-funding (including family funds).

Find out more about funding opportunities. Examples of most of these types of funding are included on the postgraduate studentships website , (with the exception of funding you may be able to obtain from your employer and self-funding).

Bursaries and scholarships

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. See our PhD scholarships , scholarships and bursaries .

For any overseas students, your first port of call should be grant-awarding bodies in your own country (eg The Ministry / Department of Education) and your local (or nearest) office of the British Council.

The British Council manage a small number of international studentship grants in some countries and should be able to tell you what other awards may be available to you - they also produce the Sources of funding for international students guide.

Supervisors

Professor robert sholl.

Dr Giselle Garcia

Professor Simon Zagorski-Thomas

Dr Cathy Sloan

Associate Professor Gavin Baker

Dr Litha Efthymiou

Dr Danny Hagan

Dr Isla Hall

Dr Tim Hughes

Dr Remy Martin

Dr Sara McGuinness

Professor Nicholas McKay

Professor David Osbon

Professor Justin Paterson

Dr Liz Pipe

Dr Alejandro Postigo

Dr Daniel Pratt

Dr Angela Shepherd

Dr Simone Spagnolo

Dr Paula Wolfe

Study & career progression

A PhD degree in Music  - the highest academic qualification, based on the advanced study and independent research, opens up an array of career opportunities both in academia and within  the music industries. 

Many students go on to pursue an academic career, following the PhD with postdoctoral study, then a fellowship or lectureship.

During your PhD, you will also be learning transferable core skills that apply to jobs both in and out of academia, including:

• written and oral communication
• research and information management
• public speaking   
• project management
• critical thinking
• collaboration
• analysis and problem-solving
• conflict resolution
• negotiation.

By the end of your research degree you will be able to articulately apply these skills to enhance your career path.

How to apply

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

To apply for one of our research courses, click the green 'apply now' link shown below to complete an online application form. You will need to attach the following documentation to your online application form:

• research proposal outline (5000 words maximum)
• transcript of your highest qualification.

The research proposal outline, or statement of research interests, enables us to assess your suitability for higher degree work including:

• viability of the topic as a research study
• the most appropriate supervisor(s) to be appointed.

Click here  for more information on applying for a PhD.

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 .

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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].

To apply for one of our research courses, click the green 'apply now' link shown below to complete an online application form.  You will need to attach the following documentation to your online application form:

• research proposal outline

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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 2022 and 2023 -   Based on an average of all 27 questions. 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.

King's College London

Music research mphil/phd.

Key information

The department has an international reputation for music research in history, theory, anthropology/ethnography, composition, and creative practice. We are particularly strong in film music, jazz, opera, performance studies, Western music from the 12 th century to the present, and the music of Latin America, the Middle East, South and South East Asia, and West Africa.

For 2024/25 entry, the Music Department is only accepting applications for PhDs in Eighteenth-Century Music History and Composition .

For 2025/26 entry, we will be welcoming applications for PhDs in all supervisory areas.

PhDs can be co-supervised with other arts & humanities or social sciences departments at King's, or with a department at another of our London Arts & Humanities Partnership (LAHP) partners ( www.lahp.ac.uk ).

As a department, we believe in the complete equality of all areas of music research, and welcome students from all backgrounds, especially those who are currently under-represented in musicology, ethnomusicology, performance, and composition.

Department of Music – jointly ranked 4th in the UK with Film (REF 2021). 100% per cent of the research impact and research environment was rated either ‘world leading’ (4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*).

Current number of academic staff: 14.

Current number of research students: 19 FT and 15 PT.

Recent publications:

• Picture a Day Like This [opera] (George Benjamin).
• The Influence of Technology on Performance: Classical Perspectives (Amy Blier-Carruthers).
• The Sense of Sound: Musical Meaning in France, 1260-1330 (Emma Dillon).
• Thinking on our Feet: A Somatic Enquiry into a Haydn Minuet (Joseph Fort).
• Paris Blues: African American Music and French Popular Culture, 1920–1960 (Andy Fry).
• Sovereign Feminine: Music and Gender in Eighteenth-Century Germany (Matthew Head).
• That Man Stephen Ward [chamber opera] (Thomas Hyde).
• Contemporary Carioca: Technologies of Mixing in a Brazilian Music Scene (Frederick Moehn).
• Songs of Sorrow, for baritone and piano (Edward Nesbit).
• Music and Musicians in Late Mughal India: Histories of the Ephemeral, 1748–1858 (Katherine Schofield).
• Music and Citizenship (Martin Stokes).
• Listening for Realism in Charpentier’s Louise (Flora Willson).

Current research projects:

UKRI Major Research Projects:

• Beyond 1932—Rethinking Musical Modernity in the Middle East and North Africa;
• Musical Lives—Towards an Historical Anthropology of French Song, 1100–1300;
• Dissemination, Ownership, and Reading of Music in Early Modern Europe.

British Academy:

• Sonic Diasporas —Technology and Selfhood in New York Musical Imaginaries, c. 1935–41.
• The Invention of Lightness, Or, Musical Politics of 1920s Italy

Joint PhDs available: Opportunities exist to gain a joint PhD with Hong Kong University or with King's own Department of Digital Humanities.

Our department forms part of the London Arts and Humanities Partnership (LAHP), which offers Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) studentships ( www.lahp.ac.uk )

Head of Department: Dr Katherine Schofield

Head of PhD Programme: Dr Flora Willson

• How to apply
• Fees or Funding

UK Tuition Fees 2023/24

Full time tuition fees:

£5,820 per year (MPhil/PhD, Music Research)

£5,820 per year (MPhil/PhD, Music Research with University of Hong Kong)

Part time tuition fees: £2,910 per year (MPhil/PhD, Music Research)

International Tuition Fees 2023/24

£22,900 per year (MPhil/PhD, Music Research)

£22,900 per year (MPhil/PhD, Music Research with University of Hong Kong)

Part time tuition fees: £11,450 per year (MPhil/PhD, Music Research)

UK Tuition Fees 2024/25

£6,168 per year (MPhil/PhD, Music Research)

£6,168 per year (MPhil/PhD, Music Research with University of Hong Kong)

Part time tuition fees: £3,084 per year (MPhil/PhD, Music Research)

International Tuition Fees 2024/25

£24,786 per year (MPhil/PhD, Music Research)

£24,786 per year (MPhil/PhD, Music Research with University of Hong Kong)

Part time tuition fees: £12,393 per year (MPhil/PhD, Music Research)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

• Study environment

Base campus

Strand Campus

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

The department has an international reputation for music research in the areas of history, theory, anthropology/ethnography, composition, and creative practice. We are particularly strong in film music, jazz, opera, performance studies, Western music from the 12 th century to the present, and the music of Latin America, the Middle East, South and South East Asia, and West Africa. In our PhD programmes in Music Research you will write a thesis of max. 100,000 words; in Creative Practice write a thesis of c. 50,000 words alongside a creative practice portfolio; and in Composition create a portfolio of compositions with technical commentary.

Please note that King’s does not have a doctoral pathway purely in performance (e.g. a DMA); performers should consider whether the creative practice pathway might suit their abilities and interests.

Prospective students are welcome to contact any academic member of staff whose field of research interests them. Alternatively, applicants may discuss their plans in the first instance with the Head of department Dr Katherine Schofield or the PhD programme lead Dr Flora Willson.

Joint PhD Opportunities

The joint PhD in Music with Hong Kong University affords students the opportunity to work with leaders in the fields of Ethnomusicology, Musicology and Composition. We invite applications on any area of research represented by faculty interests. We also draw your attention to areas of overlapping interest among faculty in the departments of Music at King's College London and University of Hong Kong: composition; 19th-century music studies; music and film. Students in the joint PhD programme will benefit from one-to-one supervision with a number of scholars working in their field. The programme also offers them access to the lively intellectual communities in these two world-class centres for music research, as well as to all the cultural riches on offer in the cities of London and Hong Kong.

Postgraduate training

The London Arts and Humanities Partnership offers a full and varied programme of training events to King's students, whether or not they are recipients of LAHP doctoral scholarships.

• Entry requirements

Find a supervisor

Search through a list of available supervisors.

Accommodation

Discover your accommodation options and explore our residences.

Connect with a King’s Advisor

Want to know more about studying at King's? We're here to help.

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Key information

At Sussex, we pride ourselves on our strengths in critical and theoretical thinking about music. As a member of our department you’ll have the opportunity to work with scholars specialising in:

• musical theatre
• popular music
• computer music
• music philosophy
• electronic music
• film and media music
• composition.

Our faculty work at the crossroads between high and low cultures. We do interdisciplinary research, drawing from fields as diverse as gender studies, critical race theory, performance studies, technological engineering and informatics.

You’ll join a vibrant community of active researchers and be encouraged to take part in our regular research groups and symposia. We welcome applicants aspiring to produce a challenging and original dissertation. You’ll also have access to our  specialist facilities .

It’s exciting to be at the forefront of music criticism. Our PhD students are re-writing what we think we know about art and popular musics. There’s original research on topics from Afro-diasporic musics and copyright to punk and nomadism .” Dr Mimi Haddon Senior Lecturer in Music

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Masters and P h D events

Meet us on campus or online

Book your place

Entry requirements

• UK requirements
• International requirements

Please select your country from the list.

Philippines

Saudi arabia, south africa, south korea, switzerland, united arab emirates, my country is not listed.

If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us

English language requirements

Ielts (academic).

High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.  Find out more about IELTS

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests, cambridge advanced certificate in english (cae).

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

High level (International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 39 in each component)

LanguageCert International ESOL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about LanguageCert SELT

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres. We do not accept the online version.

Pearson PTE Academic

High level (62 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills)

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)

We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.

TOEFL (iBT)

High level 88 overall, including at least 20 Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)

We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

As/a-level (gce).

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

 Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70% 

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A - C in English language

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

Select to see the list of exempt english-speaking countries.

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries: 

• Antigua and Barbuda
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• The British Overseas Territories
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course

• Visas and immigration

Admissions information for applicants

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

• How to apply

If you’d like to join us as a research student, there are two main routes:

• browse funded projects in this subject area
• browse our potential supervisors and propose your own research project.

Find out how to apply for a PhD at Sussex

Full-time and part-time study

Choose to work on your research full time or part time, to fit around your work and personal life. For details  about part-time study,  contact us at  [email protected]

PhD or MPhil?

You can choose to study for a PhD or an MPhil. PhD and MPhil degrees differ in duration and in the extent of your research work.

• For a PhD, your research work makes a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding in your chosen field.
• For an MPhil, your work is an independent piece of research but in less depth than for a PhD. You’ll graduate with the degree title Master of Philosophy. You might be able to change to a PhD while you study for an MPhil.

Our supervisors

Dr Danny Bright

Senior Lecturer in Music and Music Technology

[email protected]

View profile of Danny Bright

Prof Alice Eldridge

Professor of Sonic Systems

[email protected]

View profile of Alice Eldridge

Prof Evelyn Ficarra

Professor of Interdisciplinary Composition

[email protected]

View profile of Evelyn Ficarra

Dr Mimi Haddon

Senior Lecturer in Music

[email protected]

View profile of Mimi Haddon

Mr Tim Hopkins

Senior Research Fellow

[email protected]

View profile of Tim Hopkins

Prof Ed Hughes

Professor of Composition in Music

[email protected]

View profile of Ed Hughes

Dr Chris Kiefer

Senior Lecturer in Music Technology

[email protected]

View profile of Chris Kiefer

Prof Thor Magnusson

Professor of Future Music

[email protected]

View profile of Thor Magnusson

Prof Nicholas Till

Professor of Opera & Music Theatre

[email protected]

View profile of Nicholas Till

Mr Joseph Watson

Lecturer in Music

[email protected]

View profile of Joseph Watson

Dr Lee Westwood

[email protected]

View profile of Lee Westwood

Funding and fees

How can i fund my course, funded projects and scholarships.

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals. Don’t miss out on scholarships – check the specific application deadlines for funding opportunities. Note that funded projects aren’t available for all our PhDs.

£3,000 scholarships available to environmental influencers bringing about real-world behaviour change

Find out more

£800 scholarship available to reward talented organ player studying on any course at Sussex.

Scholarships of £800 are available to reward talented musicians studying on any course at Sussex

Cash scholarships available for students who have demonstrated sporting excellence

University of Sussex Stuart Hall Doctoral Scholarship

Applying for USA Federal Student Aid?

If any part of your funding, at any time, is through USA federal Direct Loan funds, you will be registered on a separate version of this degree which does not include the possibility of distance learning which is prohibited under USA federal regulations. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid .

Part-time work

We advertise around 2,500 part-time jobs a year so you can make money and gain work experience. We have a special scheme to employ students on campus, wherever possible.

Find out more about careers and employability

How much does it cost?

Fees for self-funding students.

Home students: £4,786 per year for full-time students

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £4,786 per year for full-time students

International students: £21,500 per year for full-time students

Home PhD student fees are set at the level recommended by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) annually, rising in line with inflation. Overseas fees are subject to an annual increase - see details on our tuition fees page

Additional costs

Note about additional costs.

Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life .

Empirical research costs

On top of your PhD fees and living costs, you may also need to cover some research and training costs, relevant to your research project. These costs will depend on your research topic and training needs, but may include: - travel (to archives, collections or scientific facilities) - a laptop - overseas fieldwork costs (travel and accommodation, and language training) - conference costs (travel, registration fees and accommodation) - laboratory consumables and workshop materials - participant costs - transcription or translation costs - open-access publication costs. If you have a scholarship from one of the UK Research Councils, your scholarship should cover these types of costs. You'll receive details of how to claim this additional funding. If you're self funded, or if your scholarship doesn’t cover these costs, check with the Research and Enterprise Co-ordinator in your School for details of School or Doctoral School funding that may be available.

• Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Explore our campus

Experience Sussex life in our virtual tour.

Start your virtual tour

PhD Information Sessions

Visit campus and chat to staff and students. Book your place

Online PhD Sessions

Join a live webchat. Book your place

International

Meet us in your country

Course enquiries

+44 (0)1273 876787

Send us a message

Admissions enquiries

If you haven’t applied yet:

+44 (0)1273 678001 mah-pgr@​sussex.ac.uk

Find out about the School of Media, Arts and Humanities

After you’ve applied:

+44 (0)1273 877773 [email protected]

Find out how to apply

Quick links

• Guide to PhD study
• PhD support
• Academic facilities
• Open Days and events
• Accommodation
• International students
• Student life
• Order a printed prospectus

What do you want to do next?

• Courses Browse our courses by subject area
• Sussex Life Find out about life at Sussex
• Visit Come to a PhD Open Evening
• Apply Find out how to apply

• Schools & departments

Creative Music Practice PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Creative Music Practice

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 PhD in Creative Music Practice is an opportunity for you to pursue practice-led research in the field of music at the highest level.

This will involve research that combines textual and musical outputs, for example:

• composition
• performance (either of original or pre-existing repertoire)
• installation
• sound design
• interactive music software

Typical applicants to this programme include:

• composer-theorists who wish to carry out research into and practice of particular compositional models * performers who wish to deepen their practice through musicological research
• computer-music composers who wish to develop documented hardware/software systems for their music
• performers with a need to study the techniques and organology of period instruments
• instrument builders/researchers seeking historical techniques found in evidence from the original instruments

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 Creative Music Practice. This period of research culminates in a thesis up to a maximum of 50,000 words and a portfolio and/or other musical output.

The practice outputs may take the form of:

• a portfolio
• a performance
• a recording
• documentation of the processes by which the music was made (video, photographs, recordings, sketches, studies, web pages, etc.)

The musical outputs are explicitly linked to the textual material. This link may take various forms: musical material might exemplify, contextualise or expand an idea elaborated in the text, and vice versa. The programme requires you to critically evaluate and articulate the relationship of textual to extra-textual media in the formation of musical knowledge.

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.

For every year you are enrolled on 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 Edinburgh College of Art 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 at 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 2:1 honours 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 a 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

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 tuition fee 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]
• Music 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: Creative Music Practice
• School: Edinburgh College of Art
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

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

PhD Creative Music Practice - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd creative music practice - 6 years (part-time), phd creative music practice by distance - 3 years (full-time), phd creative music practice 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 should submit a research proposal that outlines your project's aims, context, process and product/outcome. Read the application guidance before you apply:

• Preparing your application - postgraduate research degrees (PDF)

You must submit a portfolio as part of your application. Your portfolio should contain either three pieces of composition or examples of work related to your proposed field of study. You won't be able to submit your portfolio immediately, but you'll receive an email prompt within a few days of submitting your application that will explain how to upload your portfolio.

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

• Students, Staff and Alumni
• Search Students, Staff and Alumni
• Course finder

International

Mphil/phd music, course information.

3-4 years full-time or 4-6 years part-time

Course overview

Goldsmiths’ Department of Music has a lively and varied research base, large postgraduate community, active performing tradition, and offers proximity to London’s resources.

Staff research interests are correspondingly diverse and wide-ranging, and we offer research supervision in many different areas, from composition to performance, sonic arts to popular music.

Our MPhil/PhD programmes

• MPhil/PhD in Music : Written thesis of up to 100,000 words (MPhil: 60,000 words). We offer supervision in many areas of music studies.
• Practice-Based Research in Music : Examined by portfolio of practice, and a 30,000-60,000 word written element. Portfolios may include recordings of composition; documentation of performance; ethnographic film; web-based and digital humanities projects; documentation of installation; other practice-based research.

Research supervision

You are assigned members of staff qualified to supervise your research throughout your period of registration. Supervision involves regular meetings throughout the period of study and involves the development of an intensive intellectual relationship between you and your supervisor.

You can get in touch with potential supervisors via the contact on the relevant staff page below. It is recommended you do this as a first step towards securing your place.

You have access to Goldsmiths Graduate School, containing an open-access computer room, a student common room and seminar room for use by postgraduate research students. 

Find out more about research degrees at Goldsmiths .

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Keith Negus .

You can study full-time or part-time. The programme normally begins in September, but applications for entry in January and April may be considered.

Supervision is available in any of the areas of specialism outlined above or covered by staff research interests .

Research students are strongly encouraged to contribute to the Department’s research culture. You will have regular opportunities to present papers at seminars and conferences.

Composers can have pieces performed or recorded by Goldsmiths ensembles, including the Sinfonia, or by the Ensembles-in-Residence.

Performers are encouraged to take part in departmental concerts, and may audition for concerto appearances.

Registration and study

Initially, you register for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme to train you in the research methods you will need to complete a PhD. You can apply to transfer to PhD registration when you have satisfactorily completed an agreed part of the research and training programme; this usually happens after approximately 18 months if you are studying full-time, or before 36 months if part-time. 

You should aim to complete and submit your PhD thesis within an agreed period, usually three to four years for full-time students, and four to six years for part-time.

If you decide not to upgrade to PhD registration, you can submit your thesis for an MPhil after two years if you are studying full-time, or after three years if part-time. With the agreement of your supervisor, you can change your registration from full to part-time or vice versa.

North American applicants especially should note that the British system does not include preparatory taught classes or examinations as part of the MPhil/PhD programme, except for an initial course in research methods.

Entry requirements

You should normally have (or expect to be awarded) a high pass in a taught Masters degree. In exceptional circumstances we will also consider applicants with an undergraduate degree and professional experience equivalent to a Masters degree.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification ) of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study .

Fees, funding & scholarships

Annual tuition fees.

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

• Home - full-time: £TBC
• Home - part-time: £TBC
• International - full-time: £TBC

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office , who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment .

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page .

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities . If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

How to apply

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Normally, you should begin by contacting either the programme contact listed above, or a staff member active in the relevant field in order to discuss their research project. Staff biographies and specialisms can be seen on our  staff pages .

Once you have discussed and shaped your project, and the staff member concerned has provisionally agreed to supervise you, you should draft a formal research proposal and personal statement. The former should be about 1,500 words long, and should outline your project, describing your research questions, methods, and context – this part comprising a literature review, and a statement as to how your work will seek to make an original contribution to knowledge. The personal statement should outline the reasons you want to carry out the project, your longer-term plans as a researcher, and the ways that you see your work as fitting into and being supported by our Department.

Before submitting your application you'll need to have: 

• Details of  your education history , including the dates of all exams/assessments
• The  email address of your referee  who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
• Contact details of a second referee
• A  personal statement – t his can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online

            Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

• If available, an electronic copy of your educational transcript (this is particularly important if you have studied outside of the UK, but isn’t mandatory)
• Details of your  research proposal

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

When to apply  

We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September. 

We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place conditional on you achieving a particular qualification.  

If you're applying for external funding from one of the Research Councils, make sure you submit your application by the deadline they've specified. 

Selection process 

Admission to many programmes is by interview.

Find out more about applying .

Please visit our Staff pages to find out more about who teaches in the Department .

Find out more about the  MPhil/PhD projects that are currently taking place within the department .

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DPhil in Music

• Entry requirements
• Funding and costs

College preference

• How to apply

About the course

This degree, with specialisation in musicology or composition, is awarded upon successful completion of a substantial original contribution to these fields prepared over the course of usually three or four years for full-time students, or seven or eight years for part-time students.

The DPhil in Music is intended to provide you with a wide range of research skills as well as in-depth knowledge, understanding and expertise in your chosen field of research.

You are normally expected to have a master’s degree in music or equivalent before embarking on the DPhil, or you may first undertake one of the MSt programmes in music at Oxford.

Areas of research represented in the faculty include:

• historical musicological topics from the Middle Ages to the present
• music theory and analysis
• composition
• ethnomusicology
• psychology of music
• performance studies
• aesthetics of music
• popular music
• critical and empirical musicology.

Part-time students are fully integrated into the research culture of the university and expected to attend the University on a regular basis for supervision, study, skills training and participation in some of the many research seminars. If you are in employment, you must provide a letter from your employer stating you may take time off if necessary to attend the University as required for the duration of the course. The faculty appreciates that part-time research students will have non-standard attendance and work patterns. Your supervisor and the Director of Graduate Studies will be available to advise you on access to research and training provision for part-time students.

As a part-time student you will be required to attend supervision meetings and other obligations in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year. There will be some flexibility in the dates and pattern of attendance. Attendance will normally be required each week during term-time, on dates to be determined by mutual agreement with your supervisor. You will have the opportunity to tailor your part-time study and skills training requirements in liaison with your supervisor and agree your pattern of attendance.

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. In exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of Music. This supervisor would share their supervisory role with a co-supervisor would from the Faculty of Music.

You will be supported by a supervisor or supervisors who will help you to develop a programme of research and writing. You will also benefit from the advice and support of other members of the faculty who will be involved in your progression through the stages of the degree, and you can draw on the expertise of scholars and colleagues throughout the faculty and University.

In the case of students who require specific help to adjust to acquire new skills, the supervisor will work with them to ensure that they have additional support.   

All students will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). Within a maximum of four terms as a PRS student (and normally by the third) you will be expected to apply for transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status. Part-time students are required to apply for transfer no later than their eighth term.

A successful transfer of status from PRS to DPhil status will require either (A) or (B):

A. Candidates, who offer compositions as part of the final submission, will submit:

• a portfolio of between three and six musical compositions, totalling between 50 and 80 minutes' duration, with at least one composition being of large scale (defined as for large-scale forces, such as orchestra, and/or of more than 30 minutes' duration). The portfolio will be prefaced by a critical writing submission situating the candidate’s portfolio submissions with respect to the field of contemporary music, and where appropriate to musicological studies or other academic fields/domains of the candidate’s choosing; 
• a separate dissertation.
• a portfolio of between three and six musical compositions, totalling between 60 and 100 minutes' duration, with at least one composition being of large scale (defined as for large-scale forces, such as orchestra, and/or of more than 30 minutes' duration); 
• a dissertation situating the candidate’s portfolio submissions with respect to the field of contemporary music, and where appropriate to musicological studies or other academic fields/domains of the candidate’s choosing.

B. For all other candidates:

• a literature review essay that provides a discursive review of the historical and/or theoretical literature relevant to the thesis topic and its field;
• an essay on a focused topic relevant to the proposed thesis, and intended to constitute a part of it;
• a stand-alone overview of the topic of the thesis; and
• a provisional timetable for completion of the thesis.

Students who are successful at transfer will also be expected to apply for and gain confirmation of DPhil status within eight terms of admission (sixteen if studying part-time), to show that your work continues to be on track.

Both milestones normally involve an interview with two assessors (other than your supervisor) and therefore provide important experience for the final oral examination.

You will be expected to submit an original thesis of up to 100,000 words after three or, at most, four years from the date of admission (after six, or at most, eight years if studying part-time). For those specialising in composition, your final submission will be a Portfolio of Compositions and Critical Writing within the same time frame. To be successfully awarded a DPhil in Music you will need to defend your thesis orally (viva voce) in front of two appointed examiners. 

Graduate destinations

DPhil students go on into all manners of work and careers. Many seek postdoctoral positions in higher education all round the world. Others may become full-time performers or composers. Careers in concert and performance administration are also favoured and all manner of 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:

• a master's degree with a good pass or distinction grade in music or related fields;  and
• a first-class or strong upper second-class 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.

Relevant professional experience may be considered as a substitute for academic attainment.

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

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

• Publications are not expected but any publications should be listed in your application.

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 normally held as part of the admissions process.  

Shortlisted candidates will normally be interviewed in person or, if overseas, via Skype, with video, or telephone conference. Shortlisting will be based on an assessment of written work or composition by a qualified panel, and on the candidate's references. Interviews will involve a minimum of two interviewers from the Faculty of Music, and normally last around 30 minutes. Candidates will be asked to present their research plans and answer questions about them.

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. It admits around 40 new graduate students every year from all over the world.

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
• 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.

View all courses   View taught courses View research courses

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

Full-time study.

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

Part-time study

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.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

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 (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research 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.

Please note that you are required to attend in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. Also, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur further 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.

If you are studying part-time your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you must still ensure that you will have sufficient funding to meet these costs for the duration of your course.

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 for full-time study on this course:

• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Merton College
• New College
• Oriel College
• The Queen's College
• Regent's Park College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

The following colleges accept students for part-time study on this course:

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.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You are invited to make contact with an appropriate member of academic staff in the Faculty of Music before you apply if you wish, though this is not essential.

You may research the profiles of academics on the Faculty of Music website and then contact the academic directly via email.

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.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known. If the department has advertised a specific research project that you would like to be considered for, please enter the project title here instead.

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

If known, under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the name of the academic(s) who you would like to supervise your research. Otherwise, leave this field blank.

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 usually be academic. However, if you have had a significant break from studying immediately before you apply, one of your three references may be professional.

Your references will support intellectual, performance and compositional ability as relevant, 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.

Research proposal: A maximum of 2,000 words

You should submit a detailed outline of your proposed research, written in English.

For composition, research proposals should be subdivided into:

• a composition research proposal giving details of anticipated compositional projects of around 1,000 words, and 
• a proposal for critical writing submission, which may be musicological in nature or focus on your own compositions, of around 1,000 words.

The latter part should ideally note which other faculty postholder(s) you would be interested to seek co-supervision arrangements with in addition to your primary composition supervisor, who should be named elsewhere in your application.

The word count does not need to include any bibliography or footnotes.

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

This will be assessed for:

• what it tells the faculty about your reasons for applying
• its coherence; the originality of the project
• evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study or composition
• the ability to present a reasoned case in English
• the feasibility of successfully completing the project in the time available for the course
• preliminary knowledge of research or compositional techniques.

It will be normal for your ideas subsequently to change in some ways as you investigate the evidence and develop your project. You should nevertheless make the best effort you can to demonstrate the extent of your research question, sources and method at this moment.

Written work: Two essays, a maximum of 2,000 words each

Academic essays or other writing samples from your most recent qualification, written in English, are required. Extracts of the requisite length from longer work are also permissible.

The word count does not need to include any bibliography or brief footnotes.

Writing samples will be assessed for understanding of the subject area; ability to construct and defend an argument; powers of analysis; and powers of expression.

Portfolio: Three to five compositions in score format (composition applicants only)

Compositions should be accompanied by recordings if possible, up to a maximum combined duration of 30 minutes.

Please submit both your score documents and mp3/mp4 recordings to Graduate Admissions via the  document upload portal  as  it is not currently possible to send these file types via the application form.

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 - Full time Apply - Part time

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

*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

Visa eligibility for part-time study

We are unable to sponsor student visas for part-time study on this course. Part-time students may be able to attend on a visitor visa for short blocks of time only (and leave after each visit) and will need to remain based outside the UK.

Music Education MA

London, Bloomsbury

The Music Education MA will introduce students to research and research-informed practice at the forefront of music education. The programme will provide tools for interrogating musical and educational assumptions, values and practices. It will help students to expand their understanding of effective music teaching, evaluation and assessment across the lifespan.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Applications closed

Applications open

• Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in music, music education and/or arts education, or a related field of study. There may be particular circumstances where professional experience and/or study or work portfolio is considered by the Programme Leader(s) in order to satisfy entry requirements.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This programme is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting October.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Undertaking the Music Education MA programme will allow students to develop their critical thinking and ability to interrogate current educational research, literature and practice in the overarching fields of music and music education. They will also have the opportunity to pursue specialist lines of enquiry that are related to their own professional and/or academic interests, working alongside prominent academics in the field.

Who this course is for

This programme is suited to those with a passion for music and a specific interest in music education. Applicants are likely to have had previous experience in teaching, performing, composing, producing, advocating, and/or researching in the fields of music and/or arts education.

What this course will give you

The Music Education MA at UCL is one of the largest recruiting programmes of its type dedicated to music education in the world. It offers a detailed, broad-based view of music education through deep engagement with cutting-edge scholarship. It is an excellent platform for instrumental or class music teachers to develop their practices, or for aspiring music educators, community music leaders, or academics, to learn about key underpinning philosophies, research, and pedagogical approaches essential to music teaching and learning.   

The programme is taught by leading academics with current and extensive expertise in externally-funded research. Research and publications from our lecturers have significant impact on educational policy and practice both in the UK and internationally. This informs learning and teaching on the programme whilst fostering the development of a research-based culture. Many of our students pursue further study at doctoral and post-doctoral level.

Our programme meets the needs of a wide range of professionals from across the international communities of music and music education. Our alumni have been and continue to be leading figures in education worldwide.

The foundation of your career

Our MA students develop confidence in understanding music education research and other scholarship in fields of psychology, philosophy and sociology and, moreover, how these inform e.g., pedagogy, policy and curricular development, etc. As a consequence, past students have a strong record of success in obtaining music teaching and leadership roles in schools, in music hubs, for charities, in education departments and in arts organisations worldwide. Alumni are also currently working as lecturers in Further and Higher Education. Graduates have also been successful in entering PhD programmes at UCL or other universities.

As a highly regarded institute, I do think studying at IOE is a good investment. It is the leading institute in the world for education, and the lecturers are experts in their own fields. I have already seen the impact on my own teaching practice, and have been able to bring transferable ideas to the wider teaching community. Kate Retelsdorf Music Education MA Q&A with Kate Retelsdorf

Employability

Graduates of this programme are currently working as:

• advocates for the arts
• arts, health and wellbeing therapists
• doctoral and post-doctoral researchers
• freelance music teachers
• further Education lecturers
• music education hub managers
• music teachers in primary and secondary schools
• primary music co-ordinators
• university lecturers

The MA Music Education and IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society are networked with a wide array of partner primary and secondary schools in London. Staff members have conducted and published large-scale evaluations and other refereed research on major music education initiatives in UK special and mainstream schools. Staff also work with various charities in the sector, as well as other Higher Education institutions vested in music education. The network in which the programme sits, as well as our alumni, benefit students.

Teaching and learning

Students will learn through a combination of interactive face-to-face lectures, synchronous online lectures, engaging with materials on our Virtual Learning Environment, tutorials and seminars, and through self-directed independent study time (including writing academically critical essays). They will be expected to engage with the research literature and other published scholarship on the related fields of psychology, sociology and philosophy. Students will also undergo training and supervision for a practitioner research project in music education.

The main mode of delivery is through a combination of weekly lectures and seminars.

There are ten-week lecture courses for the two core modules, and also for Critical Studies in Music Pedagogy and Practice (optional module), with sessions held in the evenings at IOE. However, the Choral Conducting Leadership and Communication optional module takes place over five full days at the Institute, as well as through additional student-led sessions. Students are also required to engage actively with UCL's online learning environments across the programme. The Music Technology in Education optional module is delivered online. All students are entitled to face-to-face tutorials with their allocated tutors.  Assessment is predominantly through a written assignment for each taught module.

Most 30-credit taught modules consist of 10 two-hour lectures. For these, there is a notional 300 hours of learning time to include this taught provision and students' self-directed study time.

The programme can be taken full-time across one academic year. You will take two compulsory modules, with attendance at 10-week lecture courses on the sociology, philosophy and psychology of music education, and have a choice of three optional modules: Music Technology in Education, with its online tasks and portfolio work; Choral Conducting Leadership and Communication, with its taught and student-led practical musical activities; and Critical Studies in Music Pedagogy and Practice, again with a 10-week lecture programme and either teaching observations or a practitioner project. You will also opt for either a report or dissertation, both which entail either a piece of empirical research and/or an extended literature review on an area of music education.

Part-time students choose their own annual module selections for this programme. The part-time format is two years of study. You will take two compulsory modules, with attendance at 10-week lecture courses on the sociology, philosophy and psychology of music education, and have a choice of three optional modules: Music Technology in Education, with its online tasks and portfolio work; Choral Conducting Leadership and Communication, with its taught and student-led practical musical activities; and Critical Studies in Music Pedagogy and Practice, again with a 10-week lecture programme and either teaching observations or a practitioner project. You will also opt for either a report or dissertation, both which entail either a piece of empirical research and/or an extended literature review on an area of music education. This is normally taken in the second year.

Modular-flexible students choose their own annual module selections for this programme. The modular-flexible format is up to 5 years of study. Across your studies, you will take two compulsory modules, with attendance at 10-week lecture courses on the sociology, philosophy and psychology of music education, and have a choice of three optional modules: Music Technology in Education, with its online tasks and portfolio work; Choral Conducting Leadership and Communication, with its taught and student-led practical musical activities; and Critical Studies in Music Pedagogy and Practice, again with a 10-week lecture programme and either teaching observations or a practitioner project. You will also opt for either a report or dissertation, both which entail either a piece of empirical research and/or an extended literature review on an area of music education. This is normally taken in the final year.

Compulsory modules

Optional modules.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Music Education.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Where you'll study

The Department of Culture, Communication and Media is committed to excellence in research and teaching in the areas of Art, Design and Museology, Academic writing, English education, Applied Linguistics, Music Education, Learning with Digital Technologies and teacher professional development.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis .

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

Students should take into account any travel, accommodation and expenses involved in their report or dissertation.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

Available funding opportunities can be viewed here: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/about/global-engagement/scholarships-funding    

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

Digital Media Programme Bursary

Deadline: 20 June 2024 Value: £5,000 (One year) Criteria Based on financial need Eligibility: UK

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024 Value: Tuition fees, return flights and stipend (1 year) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024 Value: Tuition fees and accommodation (1 year) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees .

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

• why you want to study Music Education at graduate level
• why you want to study Music Education at UCL
• what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
• how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
• where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

The programme is focused on scholarship relating to music teaching and learning, rather than musical performance, etc. Although a high standard of musical performance is expected, candidates must have a significant desire to engage with published research and academic literature, and to produce high-quality written work on music education themes. As such, international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at the stated level. Experience of working in music and/or arts education is valued too. There is no audition for this programme, but candidates may be invited to an interview.  

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Got questions get in touch.

Culture, Communication and Media

[email protected]

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Music Education Graduate

Teachers in Orff training

Alumni in music education are teaching in the public schools of some 26 states as well as in positions at universities such as UCLA, University of Florida, Syracuse University, and more.

Master of Music in Music Education

Delivered via: Internet, Practicum, Onsite Instruction

The School of Music offers courses leading towards the Master of Music Degree concentrating in Music Education. Requirements of 30 hours may be completed via Internet courses and summer offerings onsite. Students desiring concentration in Orff Schulwerk must spend at least two weeks on the UK Campus for three summers. Internet courses and other on-site courses are offered during regular semesters as well. Some courses require a few meetings. Many teachers keep their school jobs while completing this degree; however, careful course planning is crucial in order to enroll in specific courses during summers.

Certificates in Orff Schulwerk and Dalcroze Eurhythmics are available through our Music Education Summer Training Program.

Those interested in more details should contact either Dr. Martina Vasil .

PhD in Music Education

UK subscribes to the philosophy that training in music education should be as practical and hands-on as possible. From the practical experience of conducting and rehearsing the school band, chorus, or orchestra to the development of a highly personal philosophy of teaching music, these seminars provide a rich foundation on which to build a successful career. In addition music education students may also specialize in the teaching of general music with a Graduate Certificate in Orff Schulwerk and/or Dalcroze Eurythmics. An elementary music education laboratory, complete with instruments, music books, method materials, and technological equipment is part of the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library and is used extensively by music education students at all levels and by elementary education students from the College of Education. A rich environment of successful school programs in Lexington/Fayette County and surrounding counties provide students with a wealth of opportunities for observations, work, and study throughout their graduate career.

Application Requirements

• CV Upload Required
• Personal Statement Upload Required
• Portfolio Upload Required
• 3 Letters of Recommendation

Spring Deadline: November 30 Summer Deadline: November 30 Fall Deadline: April 3

Program requirements may change at any time. Contact the  DGS  of your intended program or consult the official UK Catalog to confirm requirements.

Lecturer in Music (Education & Research)

King's college london - faculty of arts & humanities - music.

The King’s Music Department, situated at the heart of London, is known worldwide for its innovative research across the sub-disciplines of music studies, and as a centre for internationally acclaimed composition. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), the Department (in a joint submission with Film Studies) was ranked 4th in the UK, with 100 per cent of research impact and research environment rated ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘Internationally excellent’ (3*). 

We have a relatively small, selective intake of undergraduates, and one of the largest postgraduate communities in the country. We welcome students from all over the world, and teach them to engage in innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding music and its experience. The Department hosts highly acclaimed lectures, conferences, seminars, workshops, performances, and colloquia open to the public, and has long-standing connections with many of London’s cultural institutions.    

About the role

The Department of Music seeks to hire a full-time fixed-term Lecturer in Education & Research (Grade 6), specialising in the music of South/Central America, and/or of the Lusophone Atlantic. This is a 12 month post beginning 01 September 2024. 

The successful applicant will hold a PhD in music or a related humanities/social sciences discipline; have a clear track record appropriate to their career stage as an emerging global research leader; and be a highly effective educator capable of delivering the modules specified in the Job Description. The post holder will also be required to take on the role of Departmental Impact Lead, and deputise for the Departmental Research Lead as and when requested. Please note that we are not looking to hire someone who is primarily a composer.  

In applying for this role please include a covering letter (no longer than two A4 sides) clearly indicating how you meet the essential and desirable criteria below, and an up-to-date CV. Applicants are asked to include, as a separate document to their covering letter, a short statement (no longer than 1/3 an A4 page) describing their past/current experience of supporting student welfare and equality, diversity & inclusion in the higher education context.

Essential criteria

• PhD in music or a related humanities/social sciences discipline. Applicants must have passed their viva/defence before 1 June 2024.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of a relevant field of expertise in the music of South/Central America, and/or of the Lusophone Atlantic.
• Clearly defined research interests and plans compatible with the research strategies of the Department, Faculty and College, including establishing a track record of high-quality publications and a clear interest in research impact.
• Experience of teaching topics in their research area, including methods, and the ability to engage and inspire students of diverse and international backgrounds.
• Evidence of commitment to student welfare, including providing academic advice, assessment feedback, and pastoral support (e.g. as personal tutor).
• Evidence of commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in the higher education workplace.

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's. Interviews are due to be held before 14th June 2024.

Closing date: 02 June 2024

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'I was just completely devastated:' University of Lynchburg alumni react to program cuts

by Hayden Robertson

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Hours after the University of Lynchburg announced they were cutting 17 programs and dozens of positions, many alumni spoke to ABC13 about the shock and devastation they are feeling.

University President Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar announced Thursday afternoon that they would make cuts to the following programs:

The university listed on its Facebook page the programs that are being cut.

• Business Studies (Access)
• Community and Nonprofit Leadership (Access)
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• Music Education
• Religious Studies
• Spanish Education
• Special Education

Grad programs:

• MBA Cybersecurity
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Alumni told ABC13 that the news came as a shock.

"I was there for five years, and I was just completely devasted," Lauren Mosley, who just graduated from the University of Lynchburg in May, said. "No one saw this coming."

"There is a lot of grief, a lot of anger, a lot of confusion, but you know, some fond reminiscing at the same time," Logan Wagner, who graduated from the university in 2019, said.

RELATED: University of Lynchburg cuts 17 programs, eliminates 40 staff member positions

Many of them noticed major cuts were happening in programs that are in the arts. Wagner has a theatre degree from the university; which is one of the degrees being cut. He said he's not surprised by it and always felt the arts have been underappreciated.

"I don't think it's surprising to see universities underfund and undervalue the performing arts," Wagner said. "But it's particularly frustrating when that is also the field in which they rely on the most when it comes to events when they try and bring in new students."

Alumni Danielle Lambert graduated from the university, back when it was known as Lynchburg College, back in 2007 with a degree in music education. She said it's disappointing seeing arts underfunded at universities too.

"Unfortunately, it didn't surprise me just having my own position as a public school music teacher cut previously," Lambert said. "It just hurt a little bit more knowing it was happening in higher education as well."

The university has always prided itself on being a liberal arts school according to the alumni. Some feel the university has turned its back on the arts.

"I don't know how you can continue to classify it as a liberal arts college," Wagner said.

SEE ALSO: 'No one is above the law:' Virginia lawmakers react to Donald Trump's felony conviction

"With the music department, the theatre department, and the Spanish major being cut, it doesn't seem like it's a very liberal arts college anymore," Lambert said.

University President Dr. Morrison-Shetlar said this decision has also been difficult for the administration, but they are working to do this the right way.

"People are hurting and I'm respectful and very compassionate about that, but we are doing this for the right reasons; which is making sure that this institution is around for the next 121 years," Dr. Morrison-Shetlar said. "We want to make sure that those who are on campus are getting a fabulous experience and of course our employees as well."

All of the alumni ABC13 spoke with said they are just trying to process their emotions; while also being there for each other and their professors.

Dr. Morrison-Shetlar said while some arts programs are being cut, the university is utilizing its different community partners to make those experiences better for all students.

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Uk two-year graduate visa set to remain.

The UK Home Office plans to retain the Graduate Route ©William Barton/iStock

The government has announced its plans to retain the UK Graduate Route, to the relief of higher education officials and international students

Tue May 28 2024

This comes on the back of the recent MAC survey which recommended that the Graduate Route be kept after finding no evidence that the system was being abused by international students, as claimed by the Home Office in a recent letter. 

Instead, the Home Office has revealed new plans to crack down on student visas and unauthorized recruitment agencies by mandating that universities sign up to a stringent framework of agencies.

The announcement was met with relief by many higher education officials and international students, who were left uncertain over the future of the visa.

Speaking in an interview with The Pie News, Tim Bradshaw, CEO of the Russell Group, emphasized the value brought by international students to the UK.

“Stability is now needed in student migration policy to enable universities to plan for a long-term, sustainable future, and protect quality and choice for all students,” he said. 

The call for stability follows the controversial UK visa dependent ban , which was announced earlier this year, blocking international students from bringing their families with them while studying at UK universities. 

Similarly, last year, the government also announced plans to increase the salary threshold for the skilled worker visa , from £18,600 ($23k) to £29,000 ($36k).

According to data from Enroly , these policy changes have resulted in a 57% decrease in international student deposits for September 2024, as compared with the previous year.

“Recent migration changes have already delivered the intended result of reducing international student numbers, with 9 in 10 member universities responding to our May survey reporting a decline in international applications,” said Catriona McCarthy, chairwoman of the British Universities' International Liaison Association (BUILA).

“Any further restrictions would have had severe implications for the higher education sector and the economy,” she warned. 

According to a financial report from OfS, a significant reduction in international student numbers could leave 80% of institutions in deficit, further highlighting the financial necessity of maintaining the Graduate Route.  

However, with the UK General Elections currently in full swing, it remains to be seen whether abolition of the graduate visa will feature in the Conservative manifesto.  

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• Research degrees
• Doctor of Music
• Doctor of Philosophy
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Research at the RCM

• Tuition fees

The Doctor of Music (DMus) research degree is aimed at outstanding performers and composers who wish to explore research questions arising directly from their artistic practice.

'My one-to-one learning is crucial to my development. I am lucky to have several mentors across composition and cultural studies who have facilitated a wonderful learning experience at the RCM.'

Alex Ho, Doctor of Music

As a DMus student you will work with at least two supervisors on a substantial portfolio of practical work in performance or composition. You will also provide an extended commentary of typically between 15,000 and 25,000 words to contextualise your research.

If you are considering applying to undertake doctoral research, your first step is to identify a member of staff with relevant expertise to support your project and capacity to act as your supervisor. An initial enquiry with a potential supervisor will help to establish if they are interested to work with you.

Find a supervisor

In addition to your individual supervision, you will enjoy participating in an array of group classes and research events. This will ensure you are fully embedded in the RCM’s diverse and supportive research community.

Royal College of Music courses are internationally recognised as full degree, with successful students awarded their qualification under the RCM's Royal Charter.

Recent DMus projects : 

• Edwin Hillier  (2022)  Composing with timbre: saturation, (dis)integration and space.
• Mannion, R.  (2019)  Mise en Abyme: immersive performance and composition practices through interdisciplinarity, collaboration and music technology.  
• Konstantinos Destounis (2019)  The solo piano works of Theodore Antoniou in the context of contemporary Greek piano repertoire: a performer’s approach.

AHRC doctoral studentships through LAHP

The RCM is the only music conservatoire in London to be part of an AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership, with full studentships awarded to exceptional applicants through the London Arts and Humanities Partnership.

Find out about the AHRC studentships and LAHP

Performance and composition opportunities

With a busy events calendar of more than 500 events every year, the RCM offers a vibrant environment for research projects in performance and composition.

Doctoral students are able to participate in the RCM’s performance programme (including access to coaching for chamber music) and to perform in the College’s public programme. Doctoral students may audition for orchestral and ensemble placements in induction week every year.

A proportion of supervision hours may be taken as lessons with a performance professor, where this tuition is integral to your project. This option should be discussed with your lead supervisor during the application process, who will explore the availability of a suitable professor with the relevant Head of Faculty. Involvement in other faculty activities is by permission of the relevant Head of Faculty and can be explored with your lead supervisor during the application process.

Composition at the RCM fosters partnerships with the College's large body of gifted instrumentalists. Doctoral composers will have the opportunity to hear performances of their own works and benefit from a range of collaborations, both within the RCM and externally.

The Royal College of Music is proud to offer its students fantastic practice and performance facilities with resources to support teaching and learning. We continually improve our facilities to ensure RCM students have the best opportunities.

Explore our facilities with a video tour of the RCM

Key facilities at the RCM include:

• The Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall - our primary performance venue for orchestras and large ensembles.
• Our 400-seat Britten Theatre, home to the RCM’s thriving International  Opera School .
• A new Performance Hall, offering an alternative space for ensembles, with a retractable stage, Fazioli grand piano and variable acoustics.
• Intimate spaces for solo and chamber performance in our Performance Studio and Parry Rooms.
• Sound-proofed Amadeus Music Pods for private practice.
• A purpose-built percussion suite – you can  watch a video tour on YouTube .
• Over 160 pianos, including 60 grand pianos and 20 early keyboards, as well as organ rooms.
• A Blüthner Practice Suite which holds ten Blüthner Model A upright pianos.
• Instrument surgeries including luthier services.
• RCM Studios : a commercial-grade facility, enabling live broadcasts around the world.
• Digital Innovation Lab: advanced recording and mixing suite.
• RCM Library  with more than 200,000 scores, books and recordings in its lending collection, as well as access to more than 400 music journals.
• Recently refurbished  RCM Museum , holding more than 14,000 instruments, portraits and images, as well as a climate-controlled performance space and the associated Wolfson Centre in Music & Material Culture | Royal College of Music (rcm.ac.uk)

Find out more about RCM facilities

Career development

The RCM’s Creative Careers Centre, which is recognised internationally for its innovative approach to supporting young musicians, provides an unparalleled service to current students and recent alumni. The dedicated team partners with leading consultants, reputable arts organisations and local communities, delivering unique career-building opportunities and a direct route to the music industry.

The work of the Creative Careers Centre allows students to discover their professional identity, gain hands-on experience and new skills, develop an entrepreneurial mind-set and build a fulfilling professional portfolio.

Extensive performance and teaching opportunities are available, as well as valuable guidance on CV and biography writing, concert programming, communication skills, project management, marketing and publicity, online promotion, financial matters and how to develop a business idea.

Find out more about the Creative Careers Centre

Entry requirements

To be admitted onto the programme, you will normally need a good Master’s degree, the ability to demonstrate a close familiarity with existing theoretical and practical aspects of your topic area, a developed awareness of fundamental research skills, and ability to design and define a viable project. There should be a good match between your intended project and the expertise of your proposed supervisor at the RCM.

Performance applicants should be performing at a level that matches the entry requirements for the Artist Diploma in Performance .

The RCM welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and alternative qualifications may be considered. If your qualifications are not listed here, please contact our Admissions team , who will be happy to discuss your suitability for the programme.

English language requirements

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that their level of English language ability meets the Royal College of Music’s minimum requirements in order for their application to be accepted.

If you require a visa to study at the RCM, you must meet the English language requirements before the RCM is permitted to sponsor your visa application.

Find out about English language requirements

How to apply

Before applying.

If you are considering applying to undertake doctoral research, use our Find a supervisor list to help you find a suitable supervisor. An initial enquiry with a potential supervisor will help to establish if they are interested to work with you. General enquiries about the programme can be sent to our Head of Research.

Our Admissions team can help you with advice on fees, visas, language requirements, the online application process and other application enquiries.

Application process

Finding an expert supervisor is essential for doctoral study, so explore and contact potential supervisors on the Find a supervisor page. They will be able to advise whether they have the right expertise to support your proposed project. If a supervisor is willing to support your project, they will read and offer advice on your research proposal, and advise whether your research proposal is sufficiently developed to submit before the application deadline.

Please note that this agreement to support your application does not guarantee offer of a place, which will be dependent upon supervisory capacity and performance at interview.

For guidance on the format and content of your research proposal , please consult the following document:

RCM application deadline for candidates considering LAHP funding is 30 November 2023.

Applications received by this deadline will be assessed first for admission to the RCM, through an interview with their chosen supervisor and another member of RCM staff. If you are offered a place at the RCM, your research proposal will then be considered for submission to the LAHP studentship competition.

Please note that LAHP funding is intensely competitive, and the RCM is only able to support the strongest applicants for this scheme: an internal RCM panel (including the Head of Doctoral Programmes) will select applicants to be taken forward to the LAHP competition, and these applicants will receive mentoring on their proposals during December and January to maximise their chances of success. Applicants admitted to the RCM but not entered into the LAHP competition can apply to the RCM bursary scheme in May.

RCM application deadline for other candidates is 15 March 2024.

Applications received between 1 December and 15 March will be considered as they are received. Applicants will be considered for the RCM Bursary scheme in May.

Submitting an application

You will need to:

• Create an account on the RCM online submission portal.
• Complete the Doctoral application form and upload your research proposal and your supporting documents.
• Pay the application fee of £100.
• Arrange for your referees to email their references direct to [email protected] .
• Promising applicants will be invited to interview, normally within two weeks of the application being received. Interviews normally take place online.

If you are interested in pursuing your research interests at the RCM, use our Find a supervisor list to help you find a suitable supervisor.

If you have any questions about the admissions process please contact our Admissions team, who will be happy to help you.

Professor Robert Adlington

Head of Research

[email protected]

Charlotte Rutherford

Doctoral Programmes Administrator

Doctoral Admissions and general enquiries

[email protected]

Fees & funding

Read the Royal College of Music's latest QAA review report

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