Course contact details
Postgraduate Taught Admissions - Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Email:AdmissionsPGT.AH@soton.ac.uk
Phone:023 8059 4732
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Music (Composition) (Taught)
- MMus
- 1 Years
- Full-time
- 22 September 2025
- Postgraduate
- Main Site - Highfield Campus
Course summary
Enhance your knowledge with a master's degree in music composition at the University of Southampton. You’ll graduate with the skills for a career in music or further research on a PhD.
Our MMus Music Composition programme gives you the opportunity to specialise in various elements of musical composition. On this course, you’ll learn current trends in composition, 20th and 21st century musical developments, aesthetic, technical and critical issues in modern compositional practice and an in-depth analysis of your chosen compositional genres, materials, techniques and forms.
Our academic staff are internationally noted performers with active solo and ensemble careers, and established composers of contemporary art music, electronic music, media music (for example, in film, TV and videogames), and jazz. These world-leading experts can offer you intensive one-to-one tuition in music history, culture and performance.
Modules
Compulsory modules include: Composition Portfolio; Professional Writing and Presentation Skills; Preparation for Final Project. Optional modules include: Artists and Repetertoires; Critical Practice in Musicology; Explorations in Composition; Film Music Composition; Global Music Industry.
For a full list of modules please visit: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/music-composition-masters-mmus#modules
Assessment method
We'll assess your knowledge through: group and individual presentations, essays and analyses and final composition portfolio.
How to apply
International applicants
English language: Band C, IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in music or a related subject.
For the Composition pathway, you’ll need to submit a portfolio of 2 to 4 compositions. These should total 15 to 20 minutes of music, showing your range and compositional techniques.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | with no component below 6.0 |
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirementshttps://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/fees/postgraduate.page
Sponsorship information
A variety of scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations. Please check the website for more information: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/funding/postgraduate.page
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