Ranking
Top 100
QS World Rankings 2024
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Course overview
21st century music composition is a diverse and evolving practice, bringing together performers, an assortment of cultures and styles, and the latest technology. Our course will develop your skills as you navigate this exciting new world of composition.
Whether you’re interested in creating new works using the latest electroacoustic computer technology or more traditional instruments and voices, or exploring a combination of both, we’re here to support you to explore your unique abilities.
Course structure
The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three compulsory modules in this term, and one optional module in either the autumn or spring term.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, with an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your composition portfolio. You begin planning your portfolio during term one.
Course highlights
You’ll be based within our state-of-the-art Bramall Music Building, and you’ll also have access to our wide range of innovative rehearsal rooms and recording spaces in our University Music Hub.
Our programme provides you with a variety of exciting opportunities, including the option to write works for the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and take part in visiting performer workshops. Past guests have included percussionist Joby Burgess, who can be heard leading the percussion sections on the soundtracks of the Ant-Man and Black Panther franchises.
- Choose from our diverse study options, including modules ‘Music Employability’, and ‘British Music in Performance'.
- The Bramall Music Building is home to our acoustically flexible 450-seat Elgar Concert Hall, five electroacoustic studios, 17-seat computer cluster and the recently installed Yamaha DM7 digital mixing console.
- Use the skills you’ve developed to write your composition portfolio and enjoy listening to your work being performed by the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.
- Top 100 for Arts and Humanities in the world (QS University World Rankings 2024).
Take advantage of our cutting-edge performance spaces and recording facilities.
Write new works for acclaimed music groups.
Hear from distinguished guest artists in our first-class seminar series.
Birmingham's own Sound Theatre
Birmingham is home to the internationally recognised Birmingham ElectroAcoustic Sound Theatre (BEAST). Student compositions are regularly presented in concerts with up to 100 loudspeakers in Birmingham and abroad, including Berlin and Copenhagen. Make use of this innovative system to explore areas such as laptop performance, live coding, modular synthesis and network music.
Course delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Music history, theory and performance.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Composition portfolio – instead of a traditional dissertation, you’ll produce a composition portfolio. This consists of compositions between 13-23 minutes and a written commentary between 3,000-5,000 words.
Facilities
At Birmingham, there are lots of outstanding music facilities for you to make the most of. These include performance, rehearsal, and research spaces, concert halls, practice rooms, dedicated spaces for early music, plus studios for recording and electronic music composition. Find out more about our Music facilities.
Module information
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit composition portfolio. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you’ll need to attend.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
2025/26 Session
Students must take the following modules according to the Pathways they have chosen:
Composition pathway:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Composition Tutorials 1 | 20 |
| LM Composition Tutorials 2 | 20 |
| LM Composition Portfolio | 60 |
| LM Music Employability | 20 |
| LM Music as Critical Practice | 20 |
Composition Pathway students select 20 credits from the following four 10 credit options.
Optional modules
Students pick 1 x 20 credit optional module.
Students choose additional Level M modules provided annually by the School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music up to the relevant credit value for their respective pathway, to a combined total of 180 credits. Depending on the pathway chosen, optional module choices may be restricted.
This list is indicative; not all modules will run each year depending on staff availability.
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours Degree
in Music
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in Music. We can consider an Honours degree in another subject if you have significant professional musical experience and relevant qualifications.
In your personal statement, please include the MA Music pathway you're applying for in the first paragraph.
All applicants for the composition pathway must submit a portfolio of 3–4 compositions, showcasing your range of styles and compositional technique.
You'll need to submit the compositions as either scores (PDF files) or recordings. Audio and/or video files should be uploaded to SoundCloud/MixCloud or YouTube/Vimeo/Youku or Dropbox/WeTransfer/YouSendIt with the URL pasted into a text document and uploaded to the application portal.
The videos should be submitted at the same time as your application or uploaded within two weeks of submitting your application. If the videos aren't provided in this timeframe, then your application may be declined.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
Full-time
- £5,450
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Career opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in Music at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to problem-solve, think creatively, plus self-management and presentation skills.
Our Music graduates enter many roles, including:
- Choral Director
- Piano Tutor
- Primary School Teacher
Employers our Music graduates have worked for include:
- University of Birmingham and other universities internationally
- Primary and secondary schools
- Diocese of Leeds Music
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report.
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.