(Full time / Part time) 2021 start
Critical and Experimental Composition MMus
Overview
This course gives you opportunities to develop your compositional creativity and technical fluency to an advanced level under the guidance of our expert staff, all experienced and active composers. The diversity of our composition staff enables us to support a broad range of critical and experimental approaches to acoustic and electroacoustic composition, and to the intersections of these aesthetics.
Throughout the year you’ll take a combination of core modules that allow you to develop your skills as a musician and composer. You’ll develop your academic skills, including research and presentation skills, as well as studying the principles of composition and different professional contexts. You’ll also develop an awareness of broader topics in the study of music through exploration of aesthetic theory to help you understand and develop your compositional voice.
Your major project will be a portfolio of original compositions, and you can pursue optional modules in other areas of music such as musicology, music psychology, performance or electronic and computer music. There are opportunities to try out new work, both formally and informally, and the School of Music’s contemporary music ensemble, LSTwo, often includes student compositions in its repertoire. The School enjoys a significant reputation for performance studies and a lively and full concert diary – much of which will provide useful material for study by students on this course.
We have a variety of excellent facilities to support your learning, including rehearsal, performance and practice spaces, a lab for studying the psychology of music and studios for sound recording, software development and computer music composition.
We also have good working relationships with a range of prestigious arts organisations: we host BBC Radio 3 concerts, Leeds Lieder and the Leeds International Piano Competition, as well as enjoying a close partnership with Opera North and many others in a city with a thriving music and cultural scene.
Course content
You’ll work on your own compositions throughout the year, developing a portfolio of original work supported and informed by a range of learning opportunities, from tutorials and lectures through to workshops with guest artists.
Throughout the year you’ll take a combination of core modules that allow you to develop your skills as a musician and composer.
You’ll develop your academic skills, including research and presentation skills, as well as studying the principles of composition and different professional contexts.
You’ll also develop an awareness of broader topics in the study of music to help inform your practice through a core module in aesthetic theory. In addition, you’ll choose from the range of optional modules on offer across the School of Music depending on your individual interests and experience: options include performance, editing and archival studies, musicology, computer music, psychology of music and more.
If you choose to study part-time, you’ll study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Composition Studies 30 credits
- Portfolio of Original Composition 60 credits
- Aesthetic Theory 30 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Individual Project 30 credits
- Issues in Musicology 30 credits
- Short Dissertation 30 credits
- Instrumental or Vocal Recital 30 credits
- Applied Performance Studies 30 credits
- Electronic & Computer Music Practice 30 credits
- Electronic & Computer Music Contexts 30 credits
- Case Studies in the Applied Psychology of Music 30 credits
- Audience Engagement and Impact 30 credits
- Applied Research Methodologies 30 credits
- Creative Enquiry, Communication and Learning 30 credits
- The Recording Industry Now 30 credits
Learning and teaching
Most of our taught modules will use seminars and tutorials, as well as lectures and instrumental or vocal lessons, depending on the modules you choose.
However, independent study is the backbone of this course, allowing you to build your skills and express your own creativity.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
You’ll submit original compositions as an important part of your assessment.
You will also write commentaries on your own work — drawing on musical/theoretical contexts — and more theoretical modules make use of written tasks such as essays and reports.
Optional modules may also involve assessment through recitals, transcriptions or critical editions, presentations or other forms of assessment.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in music, or equivalent qualification
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component . For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
We will consider applications from 1 October – 1 September.
However, we recommend you apply as early as possible, especially if you are planning to apply for external funding.
You will usually be expected to have an offer of a place on a course before you apply for funding.
You may also need to leave time to make arrangements such as visa applications or relocating to Leeds.
For 2020/21 academic year courses the link visible above will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
For courses starting from September 2021, applications will open on October 1st 2020 and you will be able to access the application system from that date.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you need
- Your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying.
- If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide evidence of your English language qualification.
- When you apply online you will see a list of questions you must answer as part of your supporting statement.
- A recent composition and recordings if you have them. These can include links to websites, Dropbox, Soundcloud, or similar.
- References may be requested.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures Postgraduate Admissions Policy 2021
Fees
- UK: £9,250 (total)
- International: £21,750 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Find out more about scholarships and funding opportunities available in the School of Music.
Career opportunities
Composition tutors have connections with performers, ensembles, and festivals in all corners of the globe. These relationships can be useful for your professional development, giving you an insight into issues such as funding, publicity and other aspects of working life for professional freelance composers.
Many of our graduates choose to continue and refine their research by applying for PhD level study. Several of our existing PhD students also completed their Masters courses here at Leeds.
We have other resources to support you as you develop your career plans too – the School of Music has an Alumni Mentoring Network, where you can be supported by past students as you plan your next steps.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.