Music: Composition pathwayMA

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.

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).

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.  

• 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.

The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.

As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.

2025/26 Session

Students must take the following modules according to the Pathways they have chosen:

Composition pathway:

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.