Music (Research)

Brief outline of the programme

The research degree programme in the area of Music aims to provide students with an outstanding learning
experience in a supportive community of learning. The department of Music is known nationally and
internationally for excellence in both practice-based and theoretical research. Research students can be
supervised within our departments, and can benefit from wider support from academics with related specialisms
both within and outside the university (external supervisors). Students can take practice-based or theoretical
routes as appropriate to their research. Information on staff research interests and achievements can be found
on the Departmental web pages.

Our Music programme is one of the largest and liveliest in the UK, and focuses on music as an applied art; one
that is engaged with the musical world in all its diversity and excitement. This means that our courses are
focused on practical work, from performance, composition and improvisation to musical theatre performance,
training in instrumental or vocal teaching, music business, introductions to music therapy and community music,
as well as traditional music analysis, cultural history, and critical theory. Our community of MPhil and PhD
students, supervised by our highly dedicated academic team of practicing artists and researchers, are mostly
concerned with research related to practice-based performance, although research across disciplines, and with
a mix of practical, creative and theoretical aspects, is also encouraged. All of our academics participate in the
University's calendar of research events, regularly presenting papers and practical research findings at
seminars and in workshops in-house and internationally. Each year, at least one member of the academic staff
works towards staging a major research performance, or demonstrates practice-driven work-in-progress.

The main aims of the programme are:
a) The creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research or other advanced
scholarship, or of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline and merit
publication;
b) A systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront
of the academic discipline;
c) The general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new
knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project
design in the light of unforeseen problems;
d) A detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry
appropriate to the discipline.