Music PhD by Distance Learning

Program Overview

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Music by Distance Learning PhD

Research Overview

Invest your time and follow your passion to create original research. We know the commitment you will be making so you'll get expert supervision from our internationally recognised researchers. We encourage you to identify a potential supervisor to discuss your proposal with as early as possible.

Research Areas

We have particular strengths in four core areas:

• 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.

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. The department benefits currently from a partnership with the BBC Concert Orchestra, through which world-class performance, composition, and production experiences are offered. The Music Department enjoys a close relationship with Lakeside Arts, the University of Nottingham’s public arts programme.

Course Content

Normally taken full-time over three years or part-time over six years (with an optional extra year for writing up, submission and viva).

• Complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with expert support and advice from your academic supervisors. Because this is a Distance Learning programme, supervisions will take place online via Microsoft Teams.
• Take a verbal examination (viva voce) where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel. As with your supervisions, your viva voce will ordinarily take place online via Microsoft Teams.

Example Recent Theses in the Department

• 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

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.

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. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.
• 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. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

Meeting Our English Language Requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

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. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Applying

Your application should include a word research proposal, containing a proposed title, aims, objectives, methods, summary of content and outline bibliography. Because this is a Distance Learning degree, which means you will predominantly be away from Nottingham and the physical resources of the library, your proposal must include a statement (c.200 words) about what resources are available to you and why this project will be viable.

Supervisors

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

Fees

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

Additional Information for International Students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

Funding

At present, Distance Learning PhD are not eligible for the main sources of external funding used by the university (Midlands4Cities, Midlands Graduate School, Wolfson Foundation).

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 (some of which are available virtually) include:

• Regular research seminars
• Professional concerts
• Colloquia
• Conferences

Research in Progress

These sessions for staff and postgraduates give you the space to present your developing work in a friendly and constructive environment. They also allow you to broaden your knowledge of the subject and gain a better sense of how research develops as part of an interactive process. Please speak to your prospective supervisor about the potential of attending these virtually.

Research Centres

The department hosts two research centres that you are encouraged to get involved in. They offer opportunities for research, performance and event support.

• Nottingham Forum for Artistic Research (NottFAR)
• Centre for Music on Stage and Screen (MOSS)

Language Learning

You can make full use of the Language Centre facilities for both research-specific learning and personal interest.

Careers

Careers advice, graduate destinations, career progression, and partnerships are available to support you every step of the way.

Expert Staff

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International Students

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Our Graduates

Our graduates go on to many different careers. Examples include:

• 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 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.

Related Courses

• Music MRes: Build your own research project from four specialist pathways: composition (acoustic or digital), performance, music technology or musicology.
• Music Performance PhD: For advanced performers wishing to undertake practice-led research at the highest level.
• Music Composition PhD: Develop your knowledge and skills in composition with original research.

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 our publications, compositions and recordings rated as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'
• 90% of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4) or 'internationally excellent' (3)
• 100% of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact