MA Music and Sonic Media

Develop your creative abilities in composition and sound through practical and theoretical work. Explore theory and practice in the field of music production. Youll focus on historical contexts and the development of advanced technical skills.

Our MA reflects current developments in and beyond the concert hall, including music for film, media and interactive arts. You will:

compose
make sound art
devise music theatre
use music technologies
create film music
evaluate music and sonic art.
The course is for composers, musicians, sound artists, sound and music practitioners from related fields including theatre, and theorists with interests in music and sound.

The Department of Music is a major international centre for the study of contemporary music, contemporary musical thinking and music theatre. Youll have access to specialist facilities including:

the Music Department's recordings and scores collections
the Music Mac Lab
three professionally equipped recording studios
recital room and practice rooms.
We offer a unique range of inter-related research disciplines. We have expertise in areas from opera and music theatre to composition. This allows you to develop an integrated portfolio of work corresponding to your strengths and interests.

You should normally have an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above.

Subject-specific requirements
Your qualification should be in music, theatre, sonic arts or audio-visual media. Youll also be considered for this course if you have relevant professional experience.

Since much of the practical work on different modules involves your own creative and/or compositional engagement with the topics covered, you should include a short composition portfolio with your application. This is composition interpreted broadly (i.e. it does not have to be 'traditional' notated composition): it could be songs, tracks you have produced, movie soundtracks, performances of your own compositions, a score. etc. The portfolio should demonstrate your ability to create music, audio or other sonic media. You can submit in a variety of formats: links to tracks on Soundcloud, Youtube, MP3s, scores, etc.

IELTS (Academic) - Standard level (6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component).
TOEFL (iBT) - 80 overall, including at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing.