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MA Music – Instrumental, Vocal Composition Pathway

Find your own voice and individual path through the myriad of possibilities open to you on the Music – Instrumental, Vocal Composition programme at University of Birmingham.

Quick Facts

  
Duration: 1 year (Full-Time)
2 years (Part-Time)
Starting in: September
Tuition Fee: £21,150 per year
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom

This Music – Instrumental, Vocal Composition programme at University of Birmingham combines a solid grounding in the creative history and technique of Western art music with the latest twenty first century compositional techniques. Instruction in practical aspects – for example advanced orchestration, post-serial and post-spectral techniques, computer-assisted composition – is combined with the development of theoretical knowledge and critical faculties.

The MA in Music at Birmingham offers first class, world-recognised staff who are experts in their fields meaning students learn from people who really are the best at what they do.

Students study within the excellent facilities available with the Elgar Concert Hall, which is one of the most flexible concert halls of its type in any UK university.

Courses included:

  • Advanced Studies in Instrumental/Vocal Composition
  • Composition Tutorials
  • Advanced Studies in Electroacoustic Composition
  • Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art
  • British Music Studies 1850-1975
  • Experimental Music and Sound Art
  • Fieldwork Methods
  • Global Popular Musics

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Careers

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

Requirements

  • We usually ask for a good Honours degree (2:1), or equivalent, in Music or a related subject with a substantial musical component. Degrees in other subjects will be considered where candidates have significant professional musical experience and relevant qualifications.
  • Your application should include a personal statement of approximately 5,000 characters. You should use your personal statement to explain why you are interested in studying this programme. In order to expedite processing, please clearly state the pathway to which you are applying within the first paragraph of your personal statement.
  • All prospective students for pathways in composition must also submit a portfolio of 3–4 compositions, showcasing your range of styles and compositional technique.

Learn more