Music

Taking a structured PhD will give you access to additional training, conferences and secondments.

Advertised PhD research projects

1. Choose your project type

   Decide whether to apply to an advertised research project or create your own proposal.

   You'll also need to choose an area to focus on:

   • musicology
   • music technology
   • performance
   • composition

2. Contact your potential supervisors

   We encourage you to make informal contact to discuss your ideas and how we can help realise them. You are welcome get in touch with prospective supervisors or the Doctoral Programmes Director, Hettie Malcomson.

   PhD students begin their course at the beginning of October each year. There is no fixed deadline for application.

3. Gather your application documents

   You’ll need to send us:

   • your CV with details of your academic record and research interests
   • your academic transcript
   • details of 2 current academic referees, with their institutional email addresses
   • a short statement of your research interests and reasons for choosing the projects you’re applying for
   • IELTS certificate, or other accepted English language qualification, if English is not your first language

   Performance PhD

   If you're applying for a PhD in performance, please send us 3 links to videos of you performing different pieces. These can be hosted on YouTube or similar.

   Select pieces that:

   • are by different composers in contrasting styles
   • include composers born in at least 2 different centuries
   • are between 3 and 8 minutes long.

   We can make exceptions, for instance songs are rarely 8 minutes long and some Chopin studies are very short. An overall length of 15 minutes is enough, if your pieces are varied.

   Make sure your videos:

   • are unedited and filmed in 1 take
   • include the name of the piece and its composer as text on the screen at the beginning

   If you decide to film a spoken introduction, please keep it brief.

   We will pay attention to the tone-quality so it's worth using the best equipment you can and making sure instruments are in tune. However, we do not expect professional sound quality.

4. Apply

   Our PhDs start in September each year. You’ll need to submit your application for September entry by 1 July of that year.

   If you require a visa to study with us, please apply as early as possible and allow plenty of time for visa applications.

   Apply now

You'll need to have both:

• 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a related subject
• master of art with merit in a related subject

You can still apply if you have an equivalent music qualification approved by us.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you'll need an IELTS minimum level of 6.5 with the following:

• musicology - a minimum of 6.5 in writing, reading, speaking and listening
• music technology - a minimum of 6.5 in writing, reading, speaking and listening
• performance - a minimum of 6.0 in writing, reading, speaking and listening
• composition - a minimum of 6.0 in writing, reading, speaking and listening

Your awarded certificate needs to be dated within the last 2 years.

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept. 

If you need further English language tuition before starting your degree, you can apply for one of our pre-sessional English language courses.

Requirements for advertised projects

Check the specific entry requirements listed on the project you’re interested in before you apply.

Our Music PhD is available to study in person or remotely.

Research degrees have a minimum and maximum duration, known as the candidature. Your candidature ends when you submit your thesis.

Most candidatures are longer than the minimum period.