Music (Composition Pathway)

University of Birmingham
Postgraduate MA Full-time 1 Year Music

About this course

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).

    • Study Options

    This course is available in 2 study options:

    Part-time

    Duration: 2 Years

    Qualification: MA

    Location: Birmingham

    Full-time Shown above

    Duration: 1 Year

    Qualification: MA

    Location: Birmingham

    Career Prospects

    Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

    2317 Teachers of English as a foreign language
    3416 Arts officers, producers and directors
    3417 Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators
    2319 Teaching professionals
    3415 Musicians
    3413 Actors, entertainers and presenters

    Related Courses

    Development Policy and Politics

    University of Birmingham

    MSc Full-time 1 Year PG Birmingham

    Drama and Theatre Studies (practice-based through Performance)

    University of Birmingham

    PhD Full-time 3 Years UG Birmingham

    Drug Discovery and Development

    University of Birmingham

    PgCert Full-time 6 Months PG Birmingham

    Course Details

    Qualification
    MA
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    1 Year
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    Birmingham
    Scheme
    Postgraduate
    Subjects
    Music

    Offered by

    University of Birmingham

    Birmingham

     View university profile
    Visit university website