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MMus PG Dip PG Cert Composition

  • DeadlineStudy Details:

    MMus/PGDip/PGCert full-time or part-time

Course Description

Study as a postgraduate composer at one of the UK’s most innovative composition departments. In recent years, Birmingham Conservatoire’s Composition department has produced outstanding contemporary artists such as Laura Mvula, Raffertie and Charlotte Bray.

Unlike many composition courses at this level, the course actively celebrates the diversity of today’s musical genres, and fosters artists who challenge, innovate and transform notions of artistic practice today. You’ll spend most of your time writing music for professional and student ensembles, whether you choose to respond to our set briefs or work on your own projects.

You’ll be encouraged to express yourself in multiple musical and artistic genres.

What’s covered in this course?

  • Regular individual tuition in composition from internationally recognised composers.
  • A chance to develop a distinctive compositional voice within the context of a broadly based course, enhancing your employability.
  • The opportunity to participate in a wide variety of creative projects, including interdisciplinary collaborations.
  • Regular forums, seminars and masterclasses with distinguished visiting composers and performers.
  • Opportunities to have works performed/workshopped by Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and other leading professional ensembles and musicians.
  • Frequent chances to have works performed by student performers, including by the Conservatoire’s own Contemporary Music Group (Thallein Ensemble) and other ensembles.
  • In PgDip and MMus, a core career development module designed to get you thinking about your future professional plans.
  • In PgDip and MMus, the flexibility to choose from a broad menu of Professional Development modules designed to help you work towards achieving your personal career aspirations.
  • In MMus, a core module designed to develop your skills as a researcher or informed practitioner.
  • In PgCert, the ability to focus wholly on the Principal Study area.
  • The possibility of transferring between PgCert, PgDip  and/or MMus (as appropriate) once you have begun your studies (but before completion of your original course).

Entry Requirements

  • UK students should normally hold an honours degree, ideally but not necessarily in Music.
  • Non-UK students should hold a Bachelor’s degree or a similar degree-equivalent diploma, ideally but not necessarily in Music.

Audition requirements

  • You should be prepared to discuss a portfolio of compositions, which must be submitted at least two weeks before the audition date, if possible with high-quality recordings.*
  • Portfolios should be sent by Recorded Delivery to: Senior Administrator, Admissions, Birmingham Conservatoire, 200 Jennens Road, Birmingham B4 7XR, UK
  • The panel will be interested to hear you talk about your artistic influences, your inspiration to be a musician and your career objectives.
  • This is an opportunity for you to ask the panel questions about the Composition Department and what life will be like as a musician in Birmingham.
  • The audition and interview together will last for about half an hour.
  • For full details, audition requirements and audition advice, please visit the Music Auditions section of the Conservatoire website.

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Fees

For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more

Programme Funding

There are various funding options, including loans, scholarships and bursaries.

Student Destinations

By studying composition within a thriving conservatoire setting, you’ll have excellent opportunities to collaborate with performers and to have your works performed.

Alongside your focus on composition, our course provides opportunities for you to develop other skills relevant to a future career in the music profession.

Module Details

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