CTI Music : Directory of Postgraduate Courses in Music (and) Technology and in Electroacoustic Composition

This is the start of a directory of postgraduate courses in Music Technology or Music and Technology in the UK and Ireland. Please regard this as 'work in progress' and let us know of errors and omissions! If such a directory already exists, PLEASE let us know!

It is also the start of a directory of postgraduate courses in electroacoustic composition which is as yet FAR FROM COMPLETE!

Anglia Polytechnic University

Course Director and/or contact: Dr Geoff Sweet

Length of course: MSc (1 year), PhD (3+ years) - both courses just starting up

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience?: Some technical background needed.

Further Information:
BSc courses info

University of Wales, Bangor

Tel: 01248 382181
Fax: 01248 370297

Course: Postgraduate Diploma in Music Technology and Sound Recording Techniques; MMus in Studio Composition

Course Director and/or contact: Jochen Eisentraut

Length of course: 1 year

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience?

Further Information:
Bangor music department home page,
Details of the Diploma course,
Details of the MMus course.

The Queen's University of Belfast

Course: Postgraduate Diploma and MA in Music Technology

Course Director: Dr. Michael Alcorn

Length of course: 1 year (full-time), 2-3 years (part-time)

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes (or Students with Engineering/Computer Degree)

Further Information:
Queens music department home page,
Entrance Qualifications: a degree (upper second class honours generally required for MA) with Music as a main subject (no music technology experience required) or a computing-related discipline and demonstrable knowledge and experience of music
Students choose four modules from options covering computer programming, recording technology, composition environments, electro-acoustic composition, musicological applications of computers, and some other areas. MA students undertake a portfolio of compositions, a software development project or a dissertation.

Postgraduate info,
dsp and telecomms research group (Dept of Electronic Engineering).

University of Birmingham

Course: MA, MMus, MPhil in composition

Course Director: Dr. Jonty Harrison

Length of course: 1 year (full-time), 2-3 years (part-time)

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes

Further Information:
Birmingham music department home page,
Postgraduate info,
The studios.

University of Wales, Cardiff

Course Director and/or contact:
Length of course:
Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? No: to qualify for studentships leading to the degree of PhD a good first degree in Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Chemistry, Electronics or related subjects is required.

Further Information: Physics Dept postgraduate page

Durham University

Course: MA

Course Director and/or contact: Professor PD Manning

Length of course: 1 year

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience?

Further Information:
Durham offers a 1 year (actually 11 month) Taught modular MA programme with two relevant pathways, (1) Composition which is biased towards instrumental composition but may include module(s) in electroacoustic music, and (2) A pathway specifically in Electroacoustic Studies (theory and practice), with the following structure:-

120 UCU programme:-

Research Methods and Resources 20 UCU
Studio Techniques 20 UCU
The Development of Music Technology 20 UCU

And either

A 60 UCU electroacoustic music folio of compositions consisting of either a single work or two contrasting works of approximately 20 minutes in total duration (which may in approved circumstances include a non-electronic element) or a 60 UCU dissertation (15,000 words) on an approved topic in Music Technology

or

One further module and either a 40 UCU electroacoustic music folio consisting of a single work of 10-15 minutes duration (which may in approved circumstances include a non-electronic element) or a 40 UCU dissertation (10,000 words) on an approved topic in Music Technology.

Course: PhD

Course Director and/or contact: Prof Alan Purvis

Length of course: 3+ years

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previousMusic Technology experience? Technical background needed

Further Information:
Durham Music Dept home page,
Digital & Optical Signal Processing Group.

University of East Anglia

Course Director and/or contact: Simon Waters

Length of course: 1 year (full time); 2 years (part time)

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience?
Further Information:
Postgrad Music prospectus.

Edinburgh University

Tel: 0131 650 2422
Fax: 0131 650 2425
Email: Music@ed.ac.uk

Course Director and/or contact:
Length of course:
Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience?
Further Information:
Postgrad Music prospectus.

Glasgow University

Tel: (General Enquiries): (+44) 141 330 4093
Fax: Number: (+44) 141 330 3518 (NB this is a new number)

Course:
Course Director and/or contact:
Length of course:
Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience?
Further Information:
Postgraduate prospectus

University of Hertfordshire

Tel: +44 (0)1707 284441
Fax : +44 (0)1707 284303

Course:MSc/PgDip Composition

Course Director and/or contact: Dr Javier Alvarez

Length of course: 1 year (full time); 3 years (part time)

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes, though some knowledge is desirable
Further Information:
Music Dept pages
Course description

Huddersfield University

Keele

Course Director and/or contact:
Length of course:
Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience?
Further Information:
Postgraduate prospectus

University of Leeds

Tel: 01132 332578
Fax: 01132 332586

Course: MMus

Course Director and/or contact: Professor Julian Rushton

Length of course: MMus 1 year (full time), 2 years (part time)
40 credits core (non Music Technology) 80 credits Mus Technology (project 40 credits/dissertation 40 credits)

also MA, MPhil, PhD available in some area of Music Technology

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience?: No. Candidates must have a first degree in Music and Music technology experience at advanced undergraduate standard.

Further Information:
Postgraduate prospectus (Music),
Studio,
Research degree prospectus (general)

University of Limerick

Tel: +353 61 202782
Fax: +353 61 330876

Course: MSc/MA in Music Technology

Course Director: Paschall de Paor

Length of course: 12 months

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience?: Yes, specifically designed for music graduates

Further Information:
Centre for Computational Musicology and Computer Music
NB: Students are currently not liable for fees (they will only have to find living expenses)[there are 20 such places]

City University, London

Course: MSc/Diploma

Course Director and/or contact: Jim Grant (MSc/Diploma in Music Information Technology), Dr Simon Emmerson: (Research)

Length of course: MSc/Diploma: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Research - standard MPhil/PhD full-time and part-time

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience?: YES (Diploma/MSc)

Further Information:
Details of all courses at City music department home page.

Goldsmiths College, University of London

Course: Postgraduate Diploma in Music Technology

Course Director and/or contact: Anthony Aldridge (Music Computing Coordinator)

Length of course:1 year (full time) 2 years (part time)

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience?: Subject to interview.

Further Information:
Goldsmiths music department home page,
Music technology option as part of (integrated) MMus Composition course.
MPhil and doctorate programmes in Music Technology and Music Technology-related fields also available.

Students who wish to study at a distance - ie via the Internet/CD-ROM, etc., may enrol on selected courses.

Kings College, London

London College of Music and Media

Tel: 0181 231 2304
Fax: 0181 231 2546

Course: MMus in Composing for New Media

Length of course: one year

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes

Main features: This programme has been designed to allow the advanced composition student to develop, to the highest professional standards, the necessary compositional and technical skills for successful new media compositions. To undertake this programme you will require a willingness to learn new computer-based techniques for composition, for scoring, for recording and performance. Our state-of-the-art studios are completely digital and offer brand new advanced facilities for traditional musicians and computer programmers alike. Our equipment ranges from a fully equipped 96 track digital recording studio through DigiDesign pro tools to film and TV editing suites and Sibelius 7 Music Processing Technology.
Pathway content: Semester 1 - Practical composition 1, Advanced Music Technology, Computer Music 1
Semester 2 - Practical composition 2, The Business of Music, Computer Music 2

Course: MMus in Composing Concert Music

Length of course: one year

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes

Main features: This pathway is intended for advanced composers who wish to specialise in concert music. You will require dedication to and prior experience in the composition of concert music for a diverse range of instrumental, vocal and ensemble media. You will be offered a concentrated and comprehensive training in the practicalities, techniques and aesthetics of composing concert music through a series of individual tutorials, seminars and workshops. You will have the opportunity to benefit from frequent workshops given by eminent composers in the field and to share your experience with composers following the MMus pathway in Composing for Film and Television. You will be able to access the impressive range of performance and technological resources available within the institution to support your work. These include a student cohort of c 150 advanced performers, fully equipped recording studios with 'live space', and Sibelius 7 Music Processing Technology.
Pathway content: Semester 1 - Practical composition 1, orchestration and arranging, stylistic composition and analysis (pre-1990)
Semester 2 - Practical composition 2, The Business of Music, Stylistic Composition and Analysis (20th century styles)

Course: MMus in Composing for Film & TV

Length of course: one year

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes

Main features: This pathway is intended for advanced composers who with to specialise in composing for film and television. You will require dedication to the composition of music for film and television in a diverse range of acoustic and electronic media. You will be offered a concentrated and comprehensive training in the practicalities, techniques and aesthetics of composing for film and television through a series of individual tutorials, seminars, workshops and visits to studios and 'live briefs' with film directors and producers. You will have the opportunity to benefit from frequent workshops given by eminent composers in the field and to share your experience with composers following the MMus pathway in Composing Concert Music. You will be able to access the impressive range of performance and technological resources available within the institution to support your work. These include a student cohort of c 150 advanced performers, fully equipped recording studios with 'live space', and Sibelius 7 Music Processing Technology.
Pathway content: Semester 1 - Practical composition 1, Analysis, history and aesthetics, Techniques of composing for Film and TV
Semester 2 - Practical composition 2, The Business of Music, Film and TV Score Production

Course: MMus in Composing for the Theatre

Length of course: one year

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes

Main Features: This pathway is intended for advanced composers who with to specialise in composing for the theatre. You will require dedication to the composition of music for the theatre in a diverse range of styles and for a wide variety of instrumental and vocal combinations. You will be offered a concentrated and comprehensive training in the practicalities, techniques and aesthetics of composing for the theatre through a series of individual tutorials, seminars, workshops and visits to the theatre. You will also develop the skills required by musical directors in the modern theatre. You will have the opportunity to benefit from frequent workshops given by eminent composers in the field and to share your experience with composers following the MMus pathway in Composing Concert Music and Composing Music for Film & TV. You will be able to access the impressive range of performance and technological resources available within the institution to support your work. These include a student cohort of c 150 advanced performers, fully equipped recording studios with 'live space', and Sibelius 7 Music Processing Technology. You will also have the opportunity to have 'hands-on' experience in a theatre outside the College working with actors, singers and bands from other colleges.
Pathway content: Semester 1 - Practical composition 1, History and analysis of musical theatre, Techniques of composing for the theatre
Semester 2 - Practical composition 2, The Business of Music, Music direction in the theatre

Course: PGDip/MMus in Performance

Length of course: one year (full-time), two years (part-time)

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes

Main Features: The MMus programme is for graduates who have achieved a high level of skill in performance. The practical work on this programme is complemented by the study in academic fields including Music analysis, Performance practice, 20th century performance techniques.
The Postgraduate Diploma is intended for performers who have reached a high level of performance skills who wishes to concentrate entirely on practical work in both solo and ensemble areas.
The practical work in both programmes comprises individual tuition, masterclasses from eminent professional artists, regular performance workshops, ensemble and orchestral work.

Course: PG Dip in Radio

Length of course: two years

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes - to join the programme, you should normally have an undergraduate honours degree or its equivalent, not necessary in the radio area.

Main Features: This programme is aimed at those who wish to work or are already working in the radio industry. It has developed out of the strong undergraduate interest in the area, where external examiners have commented extremely favourably on TVU's strengths.
Pathway content: Creative radio, Radio production, Research/writing for radio.

The London Institute, London College of Printing, School of Media

Course: BTEC HND in Sound and Music Design Technologies

Course Director and/or contact: Alison Osborne at the Media School office on 0171 514 6809

Length of course: two years full time

Start date: October 1998

The HND in Sound and Music Design Technologies is a two year full time course for students with some experience in sound, music, music technology or media production who do not want a traditional music or music technology course but who want to:

• Develop their own work and build a portfolio that will reflect their special interest, to help them seek work on completion of the course.
• Learn applied practical skills through developing their creative skills using a variety of industry standard sound and music technology equipment with an emphasis on Mac based digital audio applications.
• Learn and develop the skills needed for creative sound design for a variety of applications including time based and electronic media and live performance including film, video, radio, CD Rom, web design, computer games, theatre, dance and sonic art.
• Develop their work against a strong contextual background of contemporary thought about sonic art and creative sound in collaboration with other media and disciplines.
• Gain a strong background in enterprise management and the sound industries.
• Study in a media school where there is a long tradition of courses in film, video, multimedia and radio production.

Manchester Metropolitan University
Crewe and Alsager Faculty

Tel: 0161 2475303
Fax: 0161 2476377

Course: MA Contemporary Arts (routes: Crafts, Dance, Intermedia, Live Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Writing)

Course Director: Dr. Robin Nelson
Contact for Music: Prof. Leigh Landy

Length of course: 1 year (full-time), 2 years (part-time) to commence in September 1998 pending validation.

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes

Further information: Following a long tradition of success with the BA (Hons) Creative Arts and BA (Hons) Crafts courses which have specifically focused on interdisciplinarity and innovation throughout the years, this MA brings students together from disparate backgrounds to investigate common issues of thinking artists whilst developing their own research (including practice as research). Alongside the core module, two arts praxis modules facilitate artistic development across the spectrum of arts for today's and tomorrow's world. As technology plays an ever-greater role in the contemporary arts, the study and application of technology will be a key area, if not the focus, for a great number of students. This course allows for music technology to be investigated alongside the relevant technologies of the sister arts.

(Web page address to be added when it is on-line.)

University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Tel: 0191 222 7636
Fax: 0191 222 5242

Course Director and/or contact: Dr Agustin Fernandez

Length of course:1 year (full time), 2 years (part time)

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience?: Yes it is, but in that case undergraduate module Introduction to Music Technology is mandatory.

Further Information:

Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama

Tel: (+44) 141 332 4101
Fax: (+44) 141 353 0372

Course: electroacoustic composition courses. Also other music courses with technology focus e.g. recording

Course Director and/or contact: Dr. Alistair MacDonald (Director of the Electroacoustic Studios)

Length of course: October - June

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes

Further Information:
RSAMD home page

Sheffield

Tel: +44 (0) 114 222 0470
Fax: +44 (0) 114 266 8053

Course: MMus in composition

Course Director and/or contact:

Length of course:

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes

Further Information: Music postgraduate prospectus.

University of York

Course Director and/or contact: Ross Kirk, Electronics Department

Length of course: 12 months

Is course open to conventional music graduates with no previous Music Technology experience? Yes

Further Information:
Music Technology Group Graduate Study Pages,
York home page,

Page last updated: 16 July 1998