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Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 23,000
Per year
Start Date
2025-10-01
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
36 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
PhD
Major
Music Composition | Music Performance | Music Technology
Area of study
Arts
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 23,000
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2025-10-01-
About Program

Program Overview


Music Performance PhD

Overview

The Music Performance PhD is a research-based degree that allows students to explore specific aspects of music performance through an agreed program of original research. The program is designed to deepen critical engagement with, and understanding of, performance practice, and to provide opportunities for students to develop their skills as performers and researchers.


Research Overview

Through an agreed program of original research, students will:


  • Deepen critical engagement with, and understanding of, performance practice
  • Explore specific aspects of technique or repertoire

There are many opportunities to perform both individually and as part of ensembles, on-campus and as part of the wider Nottingham musical scene.


Research Areas

Our research strengths are grouped into four themes:


Music, Space, and Place

  • Music and musical culture in a specific time and place
  • Transnational and transcultural exchange
  • Urban geographies and mobility

Music-Text-Image

  • How music interacts with other art forms
  • Applying and developing methodologies from other disciplines

Musical Creativity and Community

  • Musical creativity
  • Development of communities and networks

Music, Politics, and Identity

  • How music has contributed to local, national, and international political change
  • How music shapes individual identities

Facilities

Housed in a purpose-built building, our facilities provide an ideal environment for students to rehearse, record, and perform.


Your Department

  • Department of Music website
  • The department was 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

Normally taken full-time over three years or part-time over six years (with additional year(s) often taken for final writing up, submission, and viva).


There are two main assessment options:


Option One

  • One full-length public recital or lecture-recital of approximately 90 minutes, which can also be presented as a “minor” recital of 30 minutes at the end of year two and a “major” recital of 60 minutes at the end of year three.
  • The recital must be accompanied by a dissertation of approximately 50,000 words on a related area or equivalent, to be followed by a viva.

Option Two

  • Normally two public recitals or lecture-recitals of approximately 60 minutes each, the first at the end of year two and the second at the end of year three.
  • The recitals must be accompanied by a 20,000-word commentary or equivalent, to be followed by a viva.

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis, and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.


Home/UK Students

  • Masters degree in a relevant subject or equivalent research experience. If your masters is in a subject other than music, you must demonstrate a suitable level of aptitude.
  • Portfolio: Provide approximately 45 minutes of contrasting repertoire, submitted as a recent unedited video performance (provided online or on DVD).

EU/International Students

  • Masters degree in a relevant subject or equivalent research experience. If your masters is in a subject other than music, you must demonstrate a suitable level of aptitude.
  • International and EU equivalents: We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.
  • Portfolio: Provide approximately 45 minutes of contrasting repertoire, submitted as a recent unedited video performance (provided online or on DVD).
  • IELTS: 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
  • English language requirements: As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.

Fees

  • Home/UK: £5,006
  • International: £23,000

Funding

There are funding opportunities which are only open to students within the Faculty of Arts.


  • Postgraduate funding for Faculty of Arts students
  • Funding for Music postgraduate students

Support

  • The department's lively research culture offers the chance to hear visiting scholars and practitioners from elsewhere in the UK and from overseas.
  • Events include:
    • Regular research seminars
    • Professional concerts
    • Colloquia
    • Conferences

Careers

  • Careers advice
  • Graduate destinations
  • Career progression
  • Partnerships

Our graduates go on to many different careers, including:


  • Music management
  • Programme controller
  • Composer
  • Civil Service Fast Stream
  • Marketing
  • Law
  • Accountancy
  • Airline pilot

Our recent PhD students have gone on to academic positions at the following universities:


  • Cambridge
  • Edinburgh
  • Manchester
  • Nottingham
  • Pavia (Italy)
  • Sheffield
  • Open University
  • Maastricht

50% of postgraduates from the School/Course Name secured graduate-level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £25,000.


Program Outline


Outline:

  • Course Content:
  • Performance practice
  • Specific aspects of technique or repertoire
  • Course Structure:
  • Modules:
  • Music Collaborative Project:
  • Students work together to develop a new creative project for performance in Nottingham.
  • Improvisation is fundamental to the developmental stages of the project.
  • Advanced Ensemble Performance:
  • Intensive development of ensemble performance skills.
  • Students pre-form small instrumental or vocal ensembles before the module commences.
  • Guest performers may be invited if a specific instrumental or vocal formation cannot be formed within the module.
  • Ensembles remain intact for the duration of the module.
  • Assessment by performance and a log documenting rehearsals.
  • Conducting:
  • Introduction to the fundamental techniques and practical skills of instrumental, orchestral and choral conducting.
  • Exploration of problems and challenges from various angles.
  • Practical experience in class and in front of an ensemble.
  • Topics include rehearsal techniques, score literacy, interpretation, psychology of conducting, and technical issues.
  • Weekly coaching workshop/rehearsal session and further individual coaching.
  • Ensembles explore existing repertoire during weeks 1-3 and work on their performance of selected works thereafter.
  • Assessment by performance and a log documenting rehearsals.

Assessment:

  • Assessment Options:
  • Option One:
  • One full-length public recital or lecture-recital of approximately 90 minutes, which can also be presented as a “minor” recital of 30 minutes at the end of year two and a “major” recital of 60 minutes at the end of year three.
  • Recital must be accompanied by a dissertation of approximately 50,000 words on a related area or equivalent, to be followed by a viva.
  • Recital performance should display an original and imaginative stance on the art of performance, show an advanced level of creative ability and outstanding technical and interpretative mastery, and be worthy of a professional standard of performance.
  • Option Two:
  • Normally two public recitals or lecture-recitals of approximately 60 minutes each, the first at the end of year two and the second at the end of year three.
  • Recitals must be accompanied by a 20,000-word commentary or equivalent, to be followed by a viva.
  • Recital or lecture-recital performances should display an original and imaginative stance on the art of performance, show an advanced level of creative ability and outstanding technical and interpretative mastery, and be worthy of a professional standard of performance.

Careers:

  • Career Paths:
  • Music management
  • Programme controller
  • Composer
  • Civil Service Fast Stream
  • Marketing
  • Law
  • Accountancy
  • Airline pilot
  • Opportunities:
  • Public engagement
  • Real world experience
  • Outcomes:
  • 50% of postgraduates from the program secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
  • Average annual salary for graduates: £25,000.

Other:

  • Research Areas:
  • Music, space and place
  • Musical creativity and community
  • Music, politics and identity
  • Facilities:
  • Purpose-built building with facilities for rehearsing, recording, and performing.
  • Department Ranking:
  • Ranked 7th among the Russell Group universities for research outputs in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

UK fees:

£5,100


International fees:

£21,500

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About University
PhD
Masters
Bachelors
Diploma
Foundation

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Total programs
816
Average ranking globally
#102
Average ranking in the country
#9
Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements:


Home / UK students

  • Degree
  • Masters degree in a relevant subject or equivalent research experience.
  • If your masters is in a subject other than music you must demonstrate a suitable level of aptitude.

EU / International students

  • Degree
  • Masters degree in a relevant subject or equivalent research experience.
  • If your masters is in a subject other than music you must demonstrate a suitable level of aptitude.

Language Proficiency Requirements:

  • IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
Location
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