School of Culture and Creative Arts

Master of Music (MMus)

Candidates for the MMus will be required to undertake a course of study and submit work in one of three specialist areas (Musicology, Composition, Sonic Arts). Details of the required components (and the respective weighting of components) for each of these areas are as follows:


Musicology

  • submission of an essay of 5,000-7,000 words relating to the introductory course in the discipline of music scholarship, history and criticism (weighting: 25%).
  • active participation in two courses of research seminars relating to the current research of lecturers within the school (weighting: 15%); at least one of these should be in the field of musicology, while the other may come from other seminar series offered by the school.
  • presentation of a Thesis, of 15,000-20,000 words (weighting: 60%).

Candidates in Musicology shall be required to achieve a pass in all components individually, as well as in the submission overall.


Composition

  • submission of a portfolio of compositions (weighting: 60%). The portfolio may consist of any combination of instrumental, vocal or electroacoustic works (totaling approximately 30 mins duration).  At least one composition must be performed at a public concert in the University or at an event associated with the University, during the course of the year of study.  The School of Culture and Creative Arts benefits from a close relationship with the Paragon Ensemble as Ensemble in Residence.  This gives all MMus. students in Composition the opportunity to work alongside professional musicians in developing their compositions.
  • active participation in two courses of research seminars relating to the current research of lecturers within the school (weighting: 15%); at least one of these should be in the field of composition, while the other may come from other seminar series.
  • essay of 5,000-7,000 words (weighting: 25%). The Essay may be:
    • on a topic related to the portfolio of compositions or
    • documentation and critical assessment of an educational, community or repertoire project undertaken with a performing ensemble associated with the university.

Candidates in Composition shall be required to achieve a pass in all components individually, as well as in the submission overall.  Candidates engaged in electroacoustic composition have extensive access to Music's computer network and the Electroacoustic Music Studios.


Sonic Arts

  • submission of a project (weighting: 60%)
  • submission of an essay of 5,000-7,000 words (weighting: 25%)
  • active participation in two courses of research seminars relating to the current research of lecturers within the school (weighting: 15%); at least one of these should be in the field of sonic arts, while the other may come from other seminar series offered by the school.

All Sonic Arts students are given extensive access to Music's electroacoustic studios, recording booth, portable phonography kits, a lab of 12 Mac workstations with a range of music and audio software, and a multichannel sound spatialisation system based on Genelec and d&b loudspeakers.


MMus entry requirements

Prospective students for the MMus must have a first degree that is substantially in music and must have attained a class of at least 2:1 standard (or equivalent). In Sonic Arts, students with other relevant degrees of the same standard and relevant musical experience will be considered.