This programme has been designed to meet the needs of professional composers and musicians. You will develop practice-based skills in music and gain a thorough knowledge of contemporary contexts for compositional activity. You will develop a composition portfolio, accompanied by critical reflection on the compositional process in the form of a critical commentary. Your supervisor will be one of our team of successful, experienced composers, who engage with a range of technical approaches reflecting a wide variety of contemporary styles. Applicants should have experience of composing music.

Programme overview

• PgDip: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
• PgCert 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time

You will work with tutors on your composition portfolio(s) and attend departmental research seminars and workshops.

• The PgDip consists of two composition portfolios, each consisting of 15 minutes of music accompanied by a critical commentary of up to 2,000 words. You will also be introduced to the compositional process at postgraduate level, meeting regularly with supervisors.
• The PgCert consists of a composition portfolio of 15 minutes of music accompanied by a critical commentary of up to 2,000 words. 

Academic entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (eg GPA of 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject. Applicants should also have experience of composing music.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 7.0
• no sub-test less than 7.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 100; no sub-test less than 24
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): A minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): B minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 68; minimum 60 in writing

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Apply now

For 2013-14

PgCert

PgDip