Electronic and Computer Music MA

You’ll engage with current thinking and practice in areas including experimental electronic music, sound synthesis, electrical and electronic musical instruments, signal processing, technologically-mediated approaches to composition, live electronic music, interfaces and interactivity, sound spatialisation, electronic music in the museum, and more. You’ll also learn to place these developments within the aesthetic, critical, cultural and historical context of electronic music and music technology.

This course focusses the creative, historical, critical, technical, and performative aspects of electronic and computer music, emphasising the many ways in which technology and musical practice influence each other.

A distinctive feature of this course is the balance it strikes between creative practice, technical skills and theory, and critical/cultural/historic context in electronic and computer music.

Electronic and computer music is a broad and exciting field of research, and you’ll learn from an academic team with a strong presence in the international computer music, sonic arts, and electronic music research communities. It’s a great opportunity for musicians, creative professionals, educators, scientists, or artists who are interested in the integration of music and technology to collaborate across disciplines in a city with a thriving music and cultural scene.

We have a variety of facilities on site to support your learning including: an electronic music studio hosting a collection of analogue synthesizers, two recording studios, a computer music cluster, rehearsal rooms, performance and practice spaces, music psychology lab, and concert hall. On campus you’ll also find many opportunities for extra-curricular activities in music and performance.

We also have good working relationships with Leeds University Union (which runs a range of clubs and performance spaces), and external organisations such as the Science Museum (London), National Science and Media Museum (Bradford), BBC, Leeds International Pianoforte Competition, and Opera North.

You’ll work on your own practice from the beginning of the programme. Core modules will allow you to complete different electronic and computer music exercises using a range of frameworks, and will introduce you to the development of electronic and computer music and the current state of the art form. You’ll consider the people, institutions, innovations, repertoires, and critical perspectives that continue to shape electronic and computer music and and bring theory and practice together in a series of case studies.

You will develop your knowledge of important research skills and methods and put them into practice with your major project, where you’ll research, plan and document an independent project on a related topic of your choice.

You’ll select an optional module in an area of music outside of the field of electronic and computer music, such as aesthetics, musicology, audience engagement, composition, performance or music psychology. For some of these modules, we may need to see evidence of your ability before you begin – see ‘How to apply’ for more information.

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.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Electronic and Computer Music MA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Electronic and Computer Music MA Part Time in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

We use a range of teaching and learning methods including lectures, seminars and group learning. However, independent study is vital to this degree, as it allows you to follow your own interests, build your skills and explore your creativity. You will work on project work and conduct research independently, but our technicians and tutors are on hand to support you if you need it.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using different methods, allowing you to build a variety of skills. These will include the skills required for practical project work during the programme as well as essays, presentations, and a bibliography project. Optional modules may use different methods such as performances, or a composition portfolio.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in any subject, but applications from candidates with a background in music, or subjects such as technology, mathematics, science, art, design, or computing are encouraged. Relevant professional experience may also be considered.

International qualifications

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the School of Music admissions team.

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

Application deadline

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 programme before you apply for funding. You may also need to leave time to make arrangements such as visa applications or relocating to Leeds.

Apply (Full time)

Apply (Part time)

This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
 
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.

Two academic references.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide evidence of your English language qualification.

An essay written in English with references on any subject which gives an indication of your ability to write in an academic style.

Examples of software programming and/or applied use of computer music software produced at undergraduate level or professionally. If you don’t have any of these, other examples of work which demonstrate a theoretical understanding of digital audio, programming skills, or other knowledge that may be relevant to the course may also be accepted.

If you want to take performance as your optional module, we need to see evidence of your performance standard. You can either audition in person or submit a recording on DVD, or a link to a video of your performance online.

If you want to take a module in composition, please submit a recent composition (if score, no larger than A4) and recordings if you have them. These can include links to websites, Dropbox, Soundcloud, or similar.

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

School of Music Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy

Fees

• UK/EU: £8,500 (total)
• International: £20,000 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Part-time fees 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.

This programme will equip you with in-depth subject knowledge and a range of transferable skills in research, analysis, ICT and communication, as well as critical awareness. Beyond these, we also encourage an approach to skills development that is tailored to your individual needs.

You’ll focus on areas that interest you in your project work to gain the knowledge and skills you need to suit your career or research plans. After an audit of your existing skills, you’ll follow an individual development programme.

We also offer additional support as you develop your career plans: the School of Music boasts a unique Alumni Mentoring Network, where students can be supported by past students as they start to plan their 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.