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The MMus Composition fosters your ability to compose and notate music, and to develop your own personal musical language.

You explore a wide range of technical procedures for contemporary composition and engage intellectually and critically with related theories and concepts.

There are many practical opportunities to work with performers, including the Department of Music's ensemble-in-residence, and other artistic collaborators.

The composition pathway appeals to composers interested in a wide range of contemporary music including Boulez, Stockhausen, Birtwistle, Carter, Xenakis, spectral music and improvised music.

There's a focus on fundamental issues concerning pitch, time and pulse, and covers topics such as orchestration, advanced instrumental techniques, large-scale structure.

Composers taking this pathway may elect to take options in studio-based composition, providing they have the requisite prior experience.

There are also opportunities to work with visiting professional musicians and meet visiting composers, which have included Harrison Birtwistle, Michael Finnissy, Brian Ferneyhough and Jonathan Harvey.

The MMus Composition fosters your ability to compose and notate music, and to develop your own personal musical language. 

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in Music or a relevant/related subject. Your qualification should comprise a substantial practical/creative element relevant to the pathway. A detailed transcript of your degree is preferred.

You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

Students who have completed up to 90 credits (not including final 60-credit projects or dissertations) of a comparable degree at another university can apply for recognition of prior learning status as part of their application for a place on the programme, where such credits are carried forward into your study at Goldsmiths.

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website

Admissions Option 2

Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.

Scholarships and Funding Option 2

Analysing Contemporary Music: From Serialism to Spectral Noise

Contemporary Music: Practices and Debates

Performance as Research (Ethnomusicology)

Curriculum

International Students- full-time: £15360

Program Tuition Fees Option 2

You'll develop strategies and methodologies for creative practice, critical reflection and evaluation and skills in the contextualisation of creative work.

Career Opportunities

Master

Performing Arts

Music

Composition

We're a world-class university, ranked 63rd in the UK (Complete University Guide Rankings 2022) and within the world’s top 500 universities (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022). Located in London, students at Goldsmiths are part of a close-knit community with a rich academic and artistic heritage.

MMus Composition

Introduction