MA by Research Musical Composition

Program Overview

The MA by Research in Musical Composition at the University of Birmingham is a research-intensive program that offers students the opportunity to develop their individual creative voices through a composition-focused research project. Students will benefit from working within a vibrant and supportive research environment that encourages collaboration, experimentation, and the exploration of contemporary music. The program allows students to choose a specific research area in musical composition, ranging from contemporary classical music to experimental and electronic music. This is ideal for those who want to deepen their compositional skills while also gaining insight into the theoretical and historical aspects of music. Graduates are equipped to pursue careers in composition, academia, music production, or performance.

Curriculum: The MA by Research in Musical Composition is structured around an independent composition project, which forms the centerpiece of the degree. Students are encouraged to compose original works while engaging in critical reflection on their own practice. The program provides students with access to advanced music composition facilities and encourages them to work with a variety of media, including orchestral, electronic, and experimental sounds. In addition to the individual research project, students have access to supervision and mentoring from experienced composers and musicians, who will guide their progress and refine their compositional techniques. The curriculum also includes seminars and workshops on music theory, musical analysis, and contemporary compositional practices, offering students a holistic approach to music composition. Opportunities for public performances and recordings of student compositions help bridge the gap between academic study and practical application.

Research Focus: The MA by Research in Musical Composition at the University of Birmingham focuses on developing advanced composition techniques while exploring the intellectual and historical contexts of music. Students will engage with cutting-edge research topics in composition, such as avant-garde practices, experimental music, sound art, digital technologies, and electroacoustic composition. The university encourages interdisciplinary approaches, allowing students to combine composition with other fields such as musicology, performance studies, or digital media. This emphasis on research enables students to critically engage with contemporary trends in music and to develop new approaches to musical composition. Through this process, students will refine their skills in conceptualizing, composing, and presenting music to both specialized and general audiences.

Industry Engagement: The University of Birmingham offers students enrolled in the MA by Research in Musical Composition numerous opportunities for industry engagement. Students will have access to the university’s extensive network of composers, performers, and music industry professionals. The program encourages students to collaborate with artists and performers, participate in concerts, workshops, and masterclasses, and connect with other composers and musicians in both local and international contexts. Students also benefit from Birmingham’s vibrant music scene and its cultural institutions, such as the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and the CBSO (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra), where opportunities for collaboration, performance, and outreach are abundant. The university’s connections with music festivals, contemporary music ensembles, and recording studios allow students to gain real-world experience while continuing their academic and creative work.

Global Perspective: The MA by Research in Musical Composition program at the University of Birmingham incorporates a global perspective on contemporary music and compositional practices. The program engages students with a wide range of global musical traditions, innovations, and technologies, fostering an understanding of the diverse ways in which music is composed and performed around the world. Students are encouraged to explore music from different cultural and historical contexts, allowing them to develop a rich and varied compositional voice. The university’s international reputation in music research attracts scholars, composers, and performers from across the globe, providing students with exposure to a wide array of perspectives. Moreover, the program encourages students to consider how their compositions engage with global issues, trends, and collaborations in the ever-evolving world of contemporary music.