MA Music Postgraduate Course, Masters in Music, Graduate Music School

MA Music at Leeds Conservatoire

Postgraduate music study at Leeds Conservatoire offers you the opportunity to collaborate with leading composers, performers and producers as you develop your skills as a professional-level musician.

Starts: September 2023
Duration: 1 Year
Tutors: Professor Andrew West, Dr Jacob Thompson-Bell
UCAS Code: W33F (MA)
Study Mode: Full Time
Validated By: University of Hull

Course overview

A collaborative curriculum

As part of an international and eclectic community, you will engage in one-to-one tutorials with a specialist tutor, and take part in lectures, workshops and seminars designed to help you explore methodologies for producing high quality material, and increase your critical awareness of how your work is received.

Expert tutors

Representing a broad range of genres and disciplines and embracing everything from film music to jazz, classical, sound art and popular music, our course tutors are world-class musicians and leading academics with extensive experience in providing bespoke guidance.

Industry professionals

The MA Music curriculum is enhanced by professional mentors who give individual guidance to students, and informed by an annual steering group of experienced industry professionals actively involved in areas such as music journalism, artist management, and public arts funding.

Social impact of music making

Promoting the development of independent thought and original practice, the curriculum emphasises an appreciation of the social impact of music making, both at local and global levels.

What you will study

Studying on the MA Music, you will benefit from our uniquely flexible course, which allows you to focus on different creative specialisms from one trimester to the next. You can study to MA level (from September to September).

See Module Specification Documents for more details.

Specialist Study

Each trimester, subject to a suitable level of existing proficiency, you can request that you tuition incorporates one or more of the following specialisms: composition, performance and production. You then choose to be assessed either through recorded/scored work submitted as a portfolio, or by live performance or installation.

In the final trimester, all students progressing to Masters level are required to present their work publicly, rather than through portfolio; you develop this work with the guidance of one to one tutors, course tutors, professional guests and fellow group members.

Creative Practice in Context

In group-taught sessions, tutorials and through individual research you are invited to conduct critical and analytical research into your own practice as it relates to relevant surrounding creative and professional cultures. Assessment is either through submitted written essay or presentation/spoken exam.

Timetable

Group taught sessions are held on Thursdays. One-to-one sessions and tutorials are scheduled separately.

These module specifications are correct for the 2021/21 academic year. In compliance with University of Hull regulations, the conservatoire retains the right to make minor amendments and improvements to course, programme and module content year on year. This may result in minor changes to these specifications for the 2022/23 academic year.

MA Music Course Film

Postgraduate Playlist

Check out a selection of tracks from Postgraduate students, developed during their time at Leeds Conservatoire.

LeedsConservatoire · MA Music out of Leeds Conservatoire

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Careers

With a deep understanding of the creative and industrial contexts within which your practice exists, as an alumnus you will be prepared for a career as a musician.

Our postgraduate students have received commissions, performed at regional and international festivals including South by South West, The Reeperbahn Festival, Glastonbury and Live at Leeds, progressed to teaching positions, and created public installations.

Meet our Alumni

Course Facts

Course Type: MA Postgraduate Degree
Duration: 1 year
Study Mode: Full Time
Start date: September
Validated by: University of Hull

Course Key Information Document 2021/22

How to Apply

Apply via UCAS Conservatoires

UCAS Code: MA Music – W33F

UCAS Institution Code: L31

Apply directly to Leeds Conservatoire

Alternatively you can apply directly to Leeds Conservatoire via our Postgraduate Direct Application Form.

Find out more.

Entry Requirements

A good honours degree in any subject, with a 2nd (2:2) classification or equivalent

Professional experience equivalent to a good honours degree (see our APEL process)
All suitable applicants are invited for interview and/or audition
All international students must have a British Council English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.0

Audition Information

The MA Music Audition process is in two stages.

You will be invited to submit materials to us for assessment. You will then be invited to a short interview with our MA Music team.

Read the MA Music Audition Requirements on our Auditions page.

Tuition Fees

Tuition Fees for 2023 (Home/International)

MA Music (W33F - 1 year full-time) - £11,300/£18,750

Tuition fees pay for the cost of teaching, assessment, validation, the facilities, support and administration of your course.

Find out more about fees and funding.

Funding For Masters Courses

Funding options

Student Loans for Masters level study are available for many Home applicants.

There are also a range of Scholarships & Bursaries available.

Read more on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding page.

Funding Your Postgraduate Studies

There are a range of options to help you fund your postgraduate course, including postgraduate student loans. There are also several scholarships available to apply for, including the following:

Leeds Conservatoire Bursary - cash bursary of £1,000 available to Leeds Conservatoire graduates from the UK

Help Musicians UK Postgraduate Awards

The Countess of Munster Musical Trust Awards

Yorkshire Ladies Council of Education Award

See our Fees and Funding information

Our community

Our eclectic community comes from all over the world to write, interpret, discover, explore and reflect upon original and existing forms of music.

Postgraduate students have the opportunity to meet industry guests from across the spectrum, with recent guests including:

Anna Meredith MBE – Composer, producer and performer

Neil Davidge – Producer with Massive Attack

Harry Escott - Film score composer

Tom McRae - Singer, songwriter, recording and touring artist

Malcolm Joseph - Bass guitarist with Grace Jones

Ayanna Witter Johnson - Composer, performer and musician

Scanner - Electronic musician and multimedia artist

MA Music