Program Overview

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Music PhD

Overview

The Music PhD program at the University of Nottingham is a research-based degree that allows students to explore their musical passion with expert supervision from internationally recognized researchers.

Research Overview

The program offers a range of research areas, including:

• Music, space, and place
• Music-text-image
• Musical creativity and community
• Music, politics, and identity

Students are encouraged to identify a potential supervisor to discuss their proposal with as early as possible.

Performance Opportunities

The program offers numerous opportunities for students to play and perform, including:

• Individually and as part of ensembles
• On-campus and as part of the wider Nottingham musical scene

Your Department

The Department of Music is ranked 7th among the Russell Group universities for research outputs in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. The department offers exceptional research-led teaching, with inspiring facilities for performance, composition, music technology, and musicology.

Course Content

The program is normally taken full-time over three years or part-time over six years (with an optional extra year for writing up, submission, and viva). Students will:

• Complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with expert support and advice from academic supervisors
• Take a verbal examination (viva voce) where they explain their project in depth to an examination panel

Example Recent Theses

• Their Dreams and Ours: Britten, Film, and 'The Turn of the Screw' - Peter Auker
• Intermezzo under Hapsburg rule ): new theories of composition and musical meaning - Eric Boaro
• Changing the record: reassessing effectiveness and value in prison music projects - Sarah Doxat-Pratt
• A critical and reflective commentary on a portfolio of compositions (audio) - Angela Slater

Online Course

The department also offers this PhD by Distance Learning.

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis, and the program accepts a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements include:

• A master's degree in a relevant subject or equivalent research experience
• If the master's degree is in a subject other than music, students must demonstrate a suitable level of aptitude
• International and EU equivalents are accepted
• IELTS: 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

Meeting English Language Requirements

If students need support to meet the required level, they may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach academic skills in addition to English language.

Visa Restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses.

Applying

Students should submit a 1,000-word research proposal, containing a proposed title, aims, objectives, methods, summary of content, and outline bibliography. They are encouraged to get in touch with Dr. Rebecca Thumpston-Gallagher about their research proposal before submitting an application.

Supervisors

Students will have a minimum of two supervisors who will offer expert guidance, support, and feedback throughout their research.

Fees

• Home/UK: To be confirmed
• International: To be confirmed

Funding

There are funding opportunities available, including:

• Postgraduate funding for Faculty of Arts students
• Funding for Music postgraduate students
• Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership

Support

The program offers a range of support services, including:

• Academic and disability support
• Childcare services
• Counselling service
• Faith support
• Financial support
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Visa and immigration advice
• Welfare support

Researcher Training and Development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. The academy works together to promote a healthy research culture, cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Graduate Centres

The university has dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates, including areas for studying, socializing, computer work, seminars, and kitchen facilities.

Student Support

The Students' Union represents all students and offers a range of support services, including:

• Student services
• Health and wellbeing
• Digital services
• Moodle
• Library

Careers

The program offers careers advice, graduate destinations, career progression, and partnerships. Expert staff will work with students to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop interview skills, and meet employers.

Research Excellence Framework

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• 7th among the Russell Group universities for research outputs
• 80% of publications, compositions, and recordings rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'
• 90% of research is classed as 'world-leading' (4) or 'internationally excellent' (3)
• 100% of research is recognized internationally
• 51% of research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact

Related Courses

• Music Composition PhD
• Music Performance PhD
• Music MRes
• Music by Distance Learning PhD