Music PhD/MPhil (Research)/MRes

Program Overview

The University of Glasgow's Postgraduate Research Opportunities in Music program fosters a dynamic research culture, offering flexible options for thesis or portfolio-based completion. Students benefit from individual supervision, a supportive community, and opportunities to present their work publicly. Graduates pursue diverse careers in academia, composition, performance, and the music industry, equipped with strong research skills and expertise in their chosen area of music.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program focuses on fostering a dynamic, supportive, and rigorous research culture in music. The program emphasizes community, fostering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. The PhD program requires 3 years of full-time study or 5 years of part-time study. It culminates in a thesis (with optional supporting practical work) or a portfolio of practical work with a substantial accompanying written component. This allows students to demonstrate their research through their chosen artistic medium and approach. The program welcomes research proposals in diverse areas, including:

• Composition (including experimental music, composition's intercultural aspects, and music in relation to moving image)
• Historical and cultural musicology (covering the philosophy and aesthetics of music, music in popular culture, music in politics, and music and modernism)
• Sonic arts and audiovisual practice (encompassing live electronics, spatial composition and sound design, and the aesthetics of sound art)
• Performance studies (including both historically-informed performance and contemporary music practices)
The program hosts an annual postgraduate showcase event, "SoundThought," which provides an opportunity for students to present their work publicly in a professional setting.

Objective

To equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to become leading researchers and practitioners in their chosen field of music.

Program Description

A rigorous research-based program with flexible options for thesis and portfolio-based completion. Instead, it offers research areas to guide students in developing their own projects.

Course Schedule

The course schedule is tailored to individual research projects, allowing for flexibility and independent study.

Examples of Research Areas

• Composition (experimental, intercultural, music and moving image)
• Historical & cultural musicology (music and politics, music in popular culture)
• Sonic arts & audio-visual practice (sound art aesthetics, spatial composition)
• Performance (contemporary and historical practices)

Assessment:

The assessment methods vary depending on whether a student chooses to complete a thesis or a portfolio:

Thesis

• Thesis length: 70,000-100,000 words (including references, bibliography, appendices)
• May include practical components in support of the argument, but not mandatory
• Specific weightings of written and practical elements determined by individual project, supervisor, and convener
• Assessment: Examination by the thesis

Portfolio

• Creative work (around two hours duration) or work of equivalent depth/complexity
• Written component (10,000-20,000 words)
• Creative and written components assessed as a combined, integrated work
• Assessment: Examination by the portfolio

Teaching:

The program emphasizes individual supervision, providing each student with dedicated guidance from academic experts in their chosen research area. The program also fosters a strong sense of community among researchers through initiatives like SoundThought, encouraging peer collaboration and support. The availability and expertise of specific staff members for supervision can be checked using the staff research interest search tool provided.

Careers:

Graduates embark on diverse careers in music, including:

• Academic positions (teaching and research)
• Composition and performance careers
• Roles in the music industry and related fields (media, sound art, cultural institutions)
• Music technology and sonic art development
• Music therapy, education, and community engagement initiatives
The program prepares graduates for successful careers by providing them with:
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Expertise in their chosen area of music
• Experience presenting and publishing their work
• Project management and independent study skills
• A network of professional connections developed during their studies

Other:

• The program encourages applications from students with diverse backgrounds and interests in music research.
The University of Glasgow may update program details or requirements.

UK: £4,786 International & EU: £25,290 Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee. Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.