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University of Birmingham: Music (Composition Pathway)
| Institution | University of Birmingham View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music View department profile |
| Web | www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/arts-law-graduate-school |
| Study type | Taught |
MA
Summary
Discover how 21st century music composition brings together performers, different cultures and styles, and the latest technology. Combine theory with practice and enhance your own compositions.
On our MA Music: Composition pathway, you'll access practical opportunities to develop your compositional skills - such as writing works for the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and taking 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.
You'll be able to create new works using the latest electroacoustic computer technology or traditional instruments and voices, or a combination of both.
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.
-
Get ready to turn your passion for music into your career with our practical employability module. Gain the tools you need to be a successful music professional.
-
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.
-
Produce your composition portfolio and enjoy listening to your work being performed by the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.
-
Top 10 for Music in the UK (Complete University Guide, 2026).
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 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. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Summary
Discover how 21st century music composition brings together performers, different cultures and styles, and the latest technology. Combine theory with practice and enhance your own compositions.
On our MA Music: Composition pathway, you'll access practical opportunities to develop your compositional skills - such as writing works for the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and taking 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.
You'll be able to create new works using the latest electroacoustic computer technology or traditional instruments and voices, or a combination of both.
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.
-
Get ready to turn your passion for music into your career with our practical employability module. Gain the tools you need to be a successful music professional.
-
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.
-
Produce your composition portfolio and enjoy listening to your work being performed by the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.
-
Top 10 for Music in the UK (Complete University Guide, 2026).
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 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. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Summary
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.
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).
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 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. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Summary
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.
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).
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 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. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Why you should choose the School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music at the University of Birmingham
Join a community of translators, art historians, curators, and musicians at a world top 100 university for arts and humanities (QS World University Rankings 2025).
Benefit from our academic expertise in a range of specialisms.
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