COURSE CURRICULUM

In this program, the compulsory modules provide a solid foundation for developing both creative and critical skills as a composer. You will complete a substantial Portfolio of Original Composition worth 60 credits, allowing you to apply advanced techniques and explore your artistic voice through a major body of work. Composition Studies further strengthens your practical and conceptual understanding of compositional processes, while Critical and Aesthetic Theory deepens your awareness of the ideas, debates and artistic perspectives that shape contemporary music-making. Alongside these core elements, you can choose from a variety of optional modules that allow you to tailor your studies to your interests and professional goals. Options include Issues in Musicology, which introduces key scholarly debates, and Applied Research Methodologies, which equips you with essential tools for academic inquiry. You may also pursue practice-based modules such as a Short Recital or undertake written or creative projects through the Short Dissertation or Individual Project. Additional options like Case Studies in the Applied Psychology of Music and Audience Engagement and Impact broaden your understanding of how music interacts with listeners and society. Together, these modules create a flexible yet rigorous curriculum that supports your growth as a reflective and innovative composer.