City

What you'll study

This programme combines personalised composition supervision with modules that deepen technical, analytical and practical skills. Core study typically includes weekly one-to-one composition tutorials, a substantial portfolio of new works, and a final project that can take the form of a concert-length portfolio, a large-scale media score, or an extended electroacoustic work.

• Composition tutorials: individual mentoring focused on creative development, score preparation and rehearsals with performers.
• Orchestration and arranging: techniques for writing for chamber ensembles and larger forces, with attention to idiomatic instrumentation and rehearsal practice.
• Electroacoustic and studio practice: sound design, multitrack mixing, spatialisation and working with DAWs, microphones and fixed-media production.
• Music for media: approaches to composing for film, television and games including spotting, timing, and collaboration with directors and producers.
• Analysis and research methods: advanced study of contemporary scores, compositional techniques and methods for preparing programme notes and documentation.
• Performance workshops and collaboration: practical sessions with instrumentalists, singers and ensembles to realise new work under rehearsal conditions.
• Optional modules or electives: may include contemporary notation, algorithmic composition, pedagogy for composers, or entrepreneurship in the creative industries.

The MMus emphasises a sizable final portfolio combined with reflective research, while the PGDip focuses on the taught and practice elements without the longer research component.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good undergraduate degree (2:1 or equivalent) in music or a related discipline with demonstrable composition experience. Candidates with substantial professional composition experience or an equivalent portfolio may also be considered.

• Portfolio: an audio and score portfolio of recent compositions is required; this should demonstrate stylistic range, technical control and clear artistic intent.
• Interview/audition: shortlisted applicants are usually invited to an interview or audition, which may include discussion of the portfolio and a short compositional task or talk-through of scores.
• Academic references: two references addressing academic ability and creative potential.
• English language: applicants for whom English is not a first language will need to meet the university's language requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to diverse careers in composing, arranging and music production across concert, broadcast and commercial sectors. Common paths include freelance concert composers, composers for film, television and games, sound designers, arrangers, and studio producers.

• Employment with production companies, post‑production houses and game studios.
• Commissioned work for ensembles, festivals and community projects.
• Roles in education, workshop leadership and continued postgraduate research (PhD/DMus).
• Opportunities in arts administration, curation and independent entrepreneurial practice (self-promotion, grant applications, residencies).

Why study at City

City's postgraduate composition provision offers concentrated one-to-one tuition and practical engagement with performers and studio facilities in central London. The programme benefits from being located in a major cultural capital, providing easy access to professional ensembles, recording studios and a dense network of arts organisations.

Students typically benefit from hands-on rehearsal opportunities, dedicated studio and recording facilities, and mentorship from experienced composition staff. The course is structured to support both artistic development and the practical skills needed to build a sustainable career as a composer in a variety of contemporary musical contexts.