Program Overview

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Music

Overview

SARC: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Sound and Music is established as a broad research environment supporting work in all areas of sound and music. The PhD programme ranges from thesis focused to creative practice portfolio, with options for hybrid models combining practice and theory. Areas of research include: historical and critical musicology, sound studies, composition, socially engaged arts, performance studies, improvisation, interaction design, instrument design, audio signal processing, immersive sound and psychoacoustics.

Subject Summary

The PhD programme allows for tailored supervision and research processes based on a candidate’s interests and skills while aligning with academic staff research interests and SARC’s broader research strategy. If you pursue research in Musicology, you will focus on scholastic study of significant figures such as Bach, Handel or Mozart. We support study of genres as diverse as folksong, experimental music, opera, theatre dance, and of phenomena including contemporary performance, source studies, critical studies in sound and music -- including voice and embodiment. ‘Music in Ireland’ is a focus from various perspectives (historical, traditional, gender, technological). If you are a practitioner, you will work across a broad range of creative practice from performance, composition, installation, improvisation, sound design and audiovisual work. Interdisciplinary PhD proposals are encouraged to approach sound and music topics from a variety of disciplines, including sound, space and environment, psychoacoustics, and socially-engaged arts.

Music Highlights

Career Development

• The biennial Sonorities Festival offers unique opportunities for student involvement including showcasing research work through performance, installation and seminar presentations.
• Regular workshop events allow students to gain skills and develop contacts with organisations such as the Ulster Orchestra and the Hard Rain Ensemble as well as local art galleries and community organisations.

World Class Facilities

• SARC is an interdisciplinary research environment focusing on various aspects of sound and music. The Sonic Arts Research Centre is a purpose designed building with a state-of-the-art Sonic Laboratory and multichannel studios. Belfast is ranked in the top 10 fastest growing tech cities in the UK (UK Digital Economy Council, 2021).
• The PhD programme supports research across scholarly work and practice-based research, including hybrid formats allowing tailored submissions combining a range of media and textual outputs.

Internationally Renowned Experts

• SARC has a membership of over eighty expert researchers including academic staff across various disciplines and a thriving international community of PhD students.

Student Experience

• The PhD programme supports research across scholarly work and practice-based research, including hybrid formats allowing tailored submissions combining a range of media and textual outputs.
• Curated seminar and concert series taking place weekly throughout the semester offer students opportunities to engage in research in an international context and expand their networks.
• Students are encouraged to collaborate with their peers and participate in ongoing research projects led by academic staff.
• SARC has a dedicated PhD lead who sits on the SARC Steering Committee and ensures effective communication across the PhD cohort.
• Queen’s was ranked 3rd out of 65 universities worldwide for our Graduate School. (International Student Barometer 2022)

Key Facts

Research students are encouraged to play a full and active part in the activities of SARC and there are many resources available including:

• SARC has world-class performance and audio visual recording facilities in the SARC and Music buildings (Harty Room and Harty Studio).
• SARC's Interaction Lab is a multi-use space for installations, experimentation and cross-disciplinary research.
• SARC organises concerts, seminars, festivals and conferences with opportunities for research student participation. Our biennial Sonorities Festival is a major international event.
• SARC composition PhDs benefit from partnerships with the Ulster Orchestra and Hard Rain Ensemble.
• SARC PhDs can access courses and training organised by the Queen's Graduate School.

Student Testimonials

• Undertaking a PhD at Queen’s has encouraged me to be a more reflective, rigorous, and articulate composer and researcher. I’ve worked with well-respected composers and ensembles, including Michael Finnissy and The Royal String Quartet. I’ve participated in a residency in Sibiu, and a summer school at its ‘Northern Bridge’ partner Doncaster.

Course Content

• Students work to a timetable agreed with their team of two supervisors, availing of training offered by the Graduate School and also undertaking a bespoke Programme of scholarly or artistic activities agreed with their supervisors.
• Students undergo a differentiation procedure (progression from MPhil to PhD), normally after the equivalent of 9 months of full-time study; progress thereafter is measured through a presentation of materials to an annual progress review panel.
• Students may register for a writing up year after the equivalent of 36 months of full-time study.
• Assessment is by dissertation (80,000 words), portfolio (scope to be agreed), or a mixture of contextual writing and portfolio submission - examined in viva format by one internal and one external examiner.

Research Information

• Research Projects
  • Improvising Futures
  • Bridging the Gap
  • Political Songs of Gerhard Gundermann
  • Amplifying care-experienced voices

Career Prospects

• Many of our PhDs have assumed academic or research roles in Higher Education; some have assumed artistic residencies; others have thriving careers are freelance recording artists; employment in industry as an audio or software engineer is another destination.

People Teaching You

• All additional academic staff
• SAEL
• Dr Sarah McCleave
• Doctoral programme director (Music)
• SAEL
• Email: [insert email]

Learning Outcomes

• Studying for a PhD enables a student to develop their critical, research and/or artistic skills to a high level, while pursuing a subject of personal interest.
• A PhD is normally required for academic positions.

Course Structure

1. Students work to a timetable agreed with their team of two supervisors, availing of training offered by the Graduate School and also undertaking a bespoke Programme of scholarly or artistic activities agreed with their supervisors.
2. Students undergo a differentiation procedure (progression from MPhil to PhD), normally after the equivalent of 9 months of full-time study; progress thereafter is measured through a presentation of materials to an annual progress review panel.
3. Students may register for a writing up year after the equivalent of 36 months of full-time study.
4. Assessment is by dissertation (80,000 words), portfolio (scope to be agreed), or a mixture of contextual writing and portfolio submission - examined in viva format by one internal and one external examiner.

Assessment

• Students are not awarded marks for coursework at PhD level; in late spring each year, they present work to a small panel of lecturers in their subject; the panel for this procedure (annual progress review/APR or differentiation for first year students), has the discretion to recommend whether the student may progress to the next academic year, whether they must repeat the APR, be obliged to register for the MPhil or required to withdraw.
• Around 4-6 weeks after the formal submission of the dissertation or portfolio, the student will undergo an oral viva with two examiners who have reviewed their submitted work, where the result is expressed as the level of revision required (none, minor major revisions), which is indexed to a period of time for completion (up to 12 months). Alternatively, the result could be that the student is required to resubmit the work for a Master's degree or that no degree is awarded.

Feedback

• Students will receive formative feedback from their supervisors throughout the course of the degree, upon submission of work.
• Opportunities to receive formative feedback in performance workshop or study day formats is also possible.

Facilities

• Full time PhD students will have access to a shared office space and access to a desk with personal computer and internet access.

Learning and Teaching

• This is a research degree.

Entrance Requirements

• Graduate
  • A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.
  • While a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) is not essential, it is desirable and applicants without this qualification will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

International Students

• For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

• Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required.
• *Taken within the last 2 years.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI) | £5,006
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) | £5,006
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB) | £5,006
• EU Other | £20,500
• International | £20,500

Additional Course Costs

• There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

Bench Fees

• Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.