MMus Composition at University of West London

Programme overview

Our MMus Composition blends practical composition with academic inquiry, giving you the freedom to experiment, innovate and refine your artistic voice while gaining the technical mastery to thrive in today's diverse music industries. Through an exploration of sophisticated compositional techniques, advanced orchestration and audio-MIDI production, this course enables you to specialise in music composition, while providing an insight into 21st-century practices and ideas. To make our MMus Composition course as accessible as possible, we also offer a distance-learning version of the course , which can be studied online.

Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time | Study mode: full-time (part-time available) | Intake: September 2027 | Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Our MMus Composition course gives you excellent opportunities to develop advanced skills in composition, orchestration and production, enabling you to strengthen and refine your own artistic voice and expand your musical and dramatic vocabulary. Across your studies, you will take part in studio-based projects, workshops with professional composers and hands-on experience in orchestration and audio production. Modules include: Practical Composition 1; Practical Composition 2; Audio and MIDI Production; Music Score Production; Professional Orchestration and Arrangement; Research Methods; Masters Project.

Career pathways

This MMus Composition course prepares you not just for one career path, but for a portfolio career within the music and creative industries. Our graduates have gone on to compose for the BBC, the National Theatre and the Purcell School, as well as creating music for live concerts, television, musical theatre, library production and educational settings. Job roles include: sound editor; copyist; arranger; composer; sound designer; music director.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

You need: an honours degree (2:2 or above) in music, music technology or a related subject; advanced musical knowledge. a portfolio of degree level or professional work including at least two notated scores; a written statement. We may also offer you a place based on relevant experience or training, normally from within the work environment. All applications are considered individually. Find out more about our processes for recognising previous experience . We look for students who show enthusiasm and a passion for the subject through previous study or professional experience. IELTS 6.5 overall or above. You need to meet our English language requirement of 6.5 overall score for IELTS, with a minimum of 5.5 for each of the four individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). You will also need advanced musical knowledge, and will be asked to provide us with: a portfolio of degree level or professional work; a written statement

Domestic applicants: GBP 11,200 a year (2027/28). Tuition for: Full-time (1 year, September 2027). Source

International applicants: GBP 17,750 a year (2027/28). Tuition for: Full-time (1 year, September 2027). Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/how-apply-postgraduates

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