Course Summary

 

Qualification: Doctor of Music

Course code: DMusComp

Credits : 60

How long does it take?

Part time – 4 years

Full time – 2 years

Time limit – 10 years

The Doctor of Music (DMus) graduate degree programme is a senior graduate degree at 60 credits for those wishing to develop their compositional and artistic abilities to the very highest standard. The standard of compositional skill and technical knowledge required is not only of a professional standard but requires an original voice as befitting the highest level of musical achievement. Unlike the PhD by Composition there is no written component other than the composition proposal and bibliography, the portfolio, which should be a minimum of 100 minutes in length and of no more than three works including one major work is the sole form of output.

Students may undertake either of the following tracks:

Traditional Composition – Candidates work in notation and submit written scores as appropriate to their musical styles and projects.

Contemporary Composition – Candidates submit work as audio recordings with programme notes, lead sheets or other agreed materials.

In either track candidates are able to explore any form of musical style from classical, jazz, popular, electro-acoustic, electronica, film score, musical theatre and others.

Key features of the course

  • Study a wide range of musical history and skills
  • Extend your skills in analysis, composition and contextual study to a high professional standard
  • Study orchestration and composition for a range of mediums 
  • Relevant to a wide range of careers including music performance, teaching, composition, community music leadership, and musicologist as well as further study of Music.

As an American-validated research degree at postgraduate level, this award prepares you to either continue to post-doctoral research, higher education teaching or into professional work at a high standard.

Entry requirements

Students for this qualification must already hold either a Masters degree in an appropriate subject or an equivalent diploma of at least 12 credit hours equivalent

Students at should have a wide knowledge of musical theory, orchestration and compositional technique equivalent to professional level before commencing study alongside the required pre-requisite qualifications. Students would also usually be expected to be established composers of professional standard with a portfolio of works as well in order to demonstrate a practical understanding of the skills they will develop.

How much time do I need?

  • Most of our students study part time, completing 12 credits a year.
  • This will usually mean studying for 6-12 hours a week.