Music Composition PhD
- Full-time: Up to four years
- UK fees: £4,407 (estimate)
- Part-time: Up to eight years
- International fees: Confirmed August 2020
- Start date: Multiple available
Research overview
A superb opportunity to develop your own portfolio of compositions in a professional and supportive environment. We welcome a broad range of styles and approaches.
There are many opportunities to perform your own work, or have them played and recorded by others, both within the University and the wider city.
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
Course content
Normally taken full-time over three years or part-time over six years (with an additional year often taken for final writing up, submission and viva).
Assessed by a portfolio of compositions lasting around 60 minutes and an accompanying commentary of 20,000 words.
A range of optional modules are available in consultation with your supervisory team. These include music modules as well as ones to build your research skills.
Music modules
This module develops core skills in professional digital composition, using Logic Pro software. Topics addressed may include:
- Analysis/study of genres/examples of digital composition techniques
- Completion of Industry specific composition briefs
- Creation of sounds using synthesis
- Recording and Sampling Techniques in EXS24
- Audio and MIDI programming and editing
- Scoring using Logic (and exporting to Sibelius)
- Exploring professional mix techniques: e.g. dynamic processing, Time-based effects (reverb, modulation), Equalisation and Automation to attain width, height, space and depth
- Understanding audio files and industry standard export formats
- Mastering audio: Metering, loudness, monitor calibration
This module provides an introduction to the various styles of film music developed during the history of cinema. Topics include silent film, the golden era of Hollywood, genre characteristics (eg, animation, musical comedy, science fiction, etc), European cinema, and jazz/pop soundtracks.
Research skills
This module has been developed to introduce you to a range of research techniques and methodologies. It will also help you develop a variety of valuable transferable skills for your future career.
You will achieve:
- greater confidence in dealing with original research
- a recognition of the huge range of approaches that can be used to address research questions.
We build on the research skills you have already developed during both your undergraduate degree and discipline-specific MA modules. The emphasis is on:
- ensuring you are possessed of a range of practical ways to approach research
- making you think about the nature of your discipline-specific approaches within a context of growing interdisciplinarity.
You will have the chance to consider topics as varied as:
- academic publishing
- digital transformations
- use of illustrations in dissertations.
You will also have the opportunity to hear academics from across the Faculty talk about the problems they have confronted and how they overcame them.
This module is worth 20 credits.
Mastering the Arts introductory video
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the
module catalogue for information on available modules.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2021 entry.
| Undergraduate degree | Masters degree in a relevant subject or equivalent research experience.
If your Masters is in a subject other than music you must demonstrate a suitable level of aptitude. |
| Portfolio | Provide three scores, with recordings if available. At least one work must be for a large ensemble. |
| Undergraduate degree | Masters degree in a relevant subject or equivalent research experience.
If your Masters is in a subject other than music you must demonstrate a suitable level of aptitude. |
| International and EU equivalents | We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages. |
| Portfolio | Provide three scores, with recordings if available. At least one work must be for a large ensemble. |
| IELTS | 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element) |
| English language requirements | As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. |
English language support
If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.
For presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.
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.
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.
Applying
We encourage you to get in touch with Dr Elizabeth Kelly about your research proposal before submitting an application. She 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.
Start dates
- October 2021
- December 2021
- February 2022
- April 2022
- July 2022
Midlands4Cities (M4C)
Supervision and collaboration is available from partner universities and organisations for Midlands4Cities funded students.
You must apply for a place at Nottingham before submitting your M4C application.
Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.
How to applyFees
| Home / UK | £4,407 (estimate) |
| International | Confirmed August 2020 |
UK fees are set in line with the national UKRI maximum fee limit. The figures shown above match the limit for 2020 entry. We expect fees for 2021 entry to be confirmed in February 2021.
The UK government has confirmed that EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals starting courses in the 2021/22 academic year will no longer be eligible for home/UK fee status or the same financial support as in previous years. We will update our guidance for students when more information becomes available.
Support
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
- colloquia
- conferences
Research in progress 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.
Performance opportunities
There are numerous opportunities to get involved in performing 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.
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 St Peter’s church.
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
As well as funding and expert supervision Midlands4Cities students have access to a range of training, placement and networking opportunities.
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 Graduate School supports all postgraduate researchers at the University.
You can develop your research skills through:
- paid work placements
- training courses
- public engagement opportunities
You can also apply for travel funding to help you collaborate and present your research overseas.
Graduate centres
Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.
Each space has areas for:
- studying
- socialising
- computer work
- seminars
- 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
- visa and immigration advice
- welfare support
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.
Where you will learn
Music facilities
Where you will learn
Lakeside Arts for music
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.
Where you will learn
Music facilities
Where you will learn
Lakeside Arts for music
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.
PhD researchers bring new insights and capabilities and are an integral part of our vibrant community.
I love being exposed to their ideas and helping them develop and explore their passions to the full.”
Dr Nick Baragwanath, Associate Professor of Music
Research Excellence Framework
We are ranked 8th in the UK for research power (2014). The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system used by UK higher education funding bodies to assess research quality in universities.
- The Department of Music placed 7th out of 56 UK music departments
- 100% of the Department of Music's impact and environment submissions judged as world-leading or internationally excellent
- More than 97% of research at Nottingham is recognised internationally
- More than 80% of our research is ranked in the highest categories as world-leading or internationally excellent
- 16 of our 29 subject areas feature in the UK top 10 by research power
This content was last updated on 12 August 2020. 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.