Music and Sound MA by Research

Program Overview

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Music and Sound PhD

Overview

A research degree in Music and Sound offers you the opportunity to engage in an extended piece of academic research, either through creative practice in the production of an original body of work, or through the production of a written thesis. During this process, you’ll draw on and extend existing knowledge and practices, and you’ll show that your research makes an original contribution to knowledge.

Study Style

As a Music and Sound research student, you can take a practice-based approach to research, and develop a creative project which will be accompanied by a short thesis, or develop a musicological or theoretical project in the form of an 80,000 word, written thesis.

Researchers have opportunities to study, discuss or showcase their work, engaging with colleagues from a range of areas via seminars, symposia, conferences and training events.

All research students have access to the Music and Sound production facilities at Park Campus, and are encouraged to make use of them as part of their research. Our facilities include, 22.2 immersive audio lab, Dolby Atmos dubbing theatre, recording studios and production labs.

You’re also encouraged to attend national and international academic conferences in the latter stages of your research to present your ideas, and receive feedback at such events.

Entry Requirements

• MA or MSc by Research/MRes
  • At least a 2.1 honours degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject area
• PhD
  • A master’s degree or equivalent in a subject area relevant to the proposed research topic.
• PhD by portfolio or publication
  • We’re happy to receive applications for students wanting to do their PhD by portfolio or publication. You’ll need to submit materials from your practice (film, composition, exhibition etc) and books or chapters in anthologies, between 6-12 months after registering. You’ll also need to write a supporting commentary of 6,000-10,000 words, which clarifies your work’s coherence, significance and contribution to knowledge.
• Applications from a range of diverse backgrounds
  • We actively encourage applications from students from a range of diverse backgrounds who demonstrate appropriate research experience and achievement.
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 writing, 5.5 all other components)
  • 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.
• Research proposal
  • Your application should include a research proposal up to 1,000 words (excluding references/appendices) which follows the structure outlined in the research proposal guide.

Fees and Costs

You're viewing fees for the PhD Full Time (4 years) course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.

Please be aware that students may have to pay a continuation fee if their study continues after the expected duration of their programme.

Start date | Course code | Fee (UK) Fee per year | Fee (international) Fee per year
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February 2026 | — | £5,350 | £13,425
October 2025 | — | £5,350 | £13,425
February 2027 | — | TBC | TBC
October 2026 | — | TBC | TBC
International students can benefit from a range of scholarships and bursaries across many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Find out more

Careers

Our postgraduate research students cultivate a diverse set of skills that are highly valued in the UK and internationally, preparing them for successful careers within academia and beyond.

As a postgraduate research student at UoG, you’ll develop and refine a range of skills across research, academic practice, project management and critical analysis to equip you for your future. Whether it’s contributing to ground-breaking academic research or applying problem-solving skills in the workplace, we’ll ensure you’re ready to take on your next challenge.

This versatility opens doors to opportunities across various sectors, from education and research institutions to commercial organisations and NGOs, where you’ll have the confidence to apply your researcher skills and develop innovative solutions to meet your ambitions.

Research Areas

We support practice-based and critical theory research in the following areas:

• Ageing in popular music
• Composition and sound design for film, TV, and games
• Cultural history of popular music
• Gender in popular music
• Music production
• Sound ecology
• Spatial audio / Immersive audio

Current postgraduate research includes:

• Exploring non-linear time within Interactive and Adaptive Electronic Music Composition through Unreal Editor (practice-based)
• Audio, Immersion and Audiences in Gaming (practice-based)
• Immersive Audio and Enhancing Creative Expression (practice-based)
• The Music of Michael Kamen: Using an Archive to Explore Composition Processes
• Hauntological Aesthetics in Film Soundtracks (practice-based)
• Gender Identities in Popular Music: A Corpus-driven discourse analysis of song lyrics in Japan and the UK

Teaching Staff

Academic Course Leader

Prof Abigail Gardner

Academic Course Leader for Music and Sound

Visit academic course leader's profile

Can't see your research area listed?

With research submitted in each of our research areas judged to be internationally excellent according to the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), our research supervisors have a broad range of specialisms across a diverse range of subjects.

Get in touch to find out how we can support your research interests by emailing .

Present your research

The School of Creatives will support you with opportunities to present your work at national and international conferences and festivals.

Join our academic community

We run events allow you to present and develop your research and creative practice in a vibrant and supportive atmosphere.

School of Creative Arts

Explore and collaborate with creatives from across the spectrum. We offer the perfect environment to practice your craft and prepare you to graduate career-ready.

Visit the School of Creative Arts

Program Outline

Extracted Information from Music and Sound MA by Research program at the University of Gloucestershire:

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Degree Overview:

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Objective:

To provide students with an opportunity to conduct extended research through creative practice or a written thesis, contributing to existing knowledge and practices in the Music and Sound field.

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Description:

• This research-based program allows students to specialize in various areas, including:
• Ageing in popular music
• Music production
• Music and film/TV/games
• Ecomusicology/music and sustainability
• Music and screen media
• Immersive and spatial audio
• Students can choose between a two-year full-time or three-year part-time MA by Research pathway.
### Outline:

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Program content and structure

• Students can pursue two research approaches:
• Practice-based:
Develop a creative project with a short accompanying thesis.
• Musicological/theoretical: Develop a written thesis of 80,000 words.
• Access to Music and Sound production facilities at Park Campus, including studios, labs, immersive audio environments.
• Encouragement to contribute and showcase work in seminars, workshops, conferences, training events.
### Assessment: The program utilizes assessment methods:
• 1,000-word proposal outlining proposed research topic (submitted for School's approval).
• Regular progress meetings and reviews with supervisors.
• Examination of final creative output (practice-based) or completed written thesis (musicological/theoretical), along with oral examination/defense.
### Teaching:
• Research supervision provided by faculty with expertise in relevant topics and/or research methodologies.
• Opportunities to interact and learn from colleagues in research seminars, symposia, conferences.
• Collaboration possibilities with peers in the School of Creatives, offering a rich learning environment.
### Careers:
• Program prepares graduates for various career paths:
• Research and academia (lectureship, PhD studies)
• Music-specific industries (production, composition, game-design sound, film and media scoring)
• Graduates develop research, critical thinking, communication, project management skills valuable in numerous professions.

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

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UK Fees:

• £5,100 per year

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International Fees: