Music and Media

Entry requirements

• MA by Research/MRes: you will need at least a 2.1 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject area. Option to upgrade to a PhD
• PhD: a master’s degree or equivalent in a subject area relevant to the proposed research topic
• We actively encourage applications from students who demonstrate appropriate research experience and achievement
• EU and international students need IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in any other component) or equivalent

Months of entry

February, October

Course content

Ranked 6th globally in the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey, 2019.

Benefit from an experienced team of research-active scholars and industry practitioners who can offer supervision across a range of topics. Staff specialisms include: gender and ageing in popular music; music and screen media; the cultural history of popular music; music and literature; music and memory; music and philosophy; the political economy of music; community music; composition for film, TV, dance, and theatre; spatial sound.

Choose between a research-based or practice-based project. For example, write a thesis of 80,000 words for the research-based PhD or, for the practice-based option, create a piece of content or stage a performance and accompany it with a much-shorter written component. As a practice-based student, you will have access to our state-of-the-art studios and equipment.

Students who have not already completed a relevant Master’s degree are normally required to complete two research-methods modules: Philosophy and Approaches to Research, and Methodologies and Methods. These sessions and their related assignments will help you lay the critical foundations for your project.

The School of Media runs annual research events such as the Equal Platforms symposium and the Women, Ageing and Media summer school. In addition, there are regular seminars and lectures throughout the academic year, which are open to postgraduate students from across the University. These events allow you to present and develop your research and creative practice in a vibrant and supportive atmosphere. The School of Media can also assist with the costs of presenting your work at international conferences and festivals.