Metadata
Title
Music MA (Performance/Composition)
Category
graduate
UUID
d92d899001704ba09ce253e3b8bae847
Source URL
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/4190f/
Parent URL
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/
Crawl Time
2026-03-24T00:06:22+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown

Music MA (Performance/Composition)

Source: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/4190f/ Parent: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/

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Overview

Develop your creative and professional music skills and shape your future in the music industry.

On our Music MA degree you'll study with world-class specialists attuned to your individual aspirations and collaborate with a vibrant creative community.

Focus on your personal musical aims by specialising in performance, composition, or a structured mixture of both.

Develop the professional skills needed to work within the contemporary musical world and utilise your skills and knowledge to teach the next generation of musicians.

Choose to specialise in:

Studying a Music Master's in Newcastle

Newcastle is one of the most exciting and diverse places to study music in the UK. We're home to The Royal Northern Sinfonia, based at The Glasshouse, the renowned international music venue in Newcastle-Gateshead.

Many of the orchestra’s players teach on our classical music strand.

Newcastle is also a national centre for folk music. We have tutors who perform worldwide and Newcastle's thriving DIY music culture makes the city one of the UK's most innovative centres for experimental music.

On our programme you’ll specialise in either:

You'll develop creative professional and career skills in the contemporary musical world and understand how your knowledge may teach the next generation of musicians.

There are also many extra-curricular opportunities for performers. These include:

You'll also have a wide range of popular music opportunities both inside and outside of the university.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

\

What you'll learn

On our programme you'll:

Music Performance Pathway

On the Music Performance pathway, you'll develop your solo performance skills through expert-led instrumental or vocal lessons tailored to you as an individual musician.

You'll learn ensemble musicianship, creative collaborations, and career development to prepare you for life as a professional musician.

There'll also be many opportunities for live music in the city as both a performer and spectator. Major touring professional musicians play every week in the university's free concerts series, as well as at The Glasshouse, and many other smaller venues.

You'll develop employability skills in vocal and instrumental teaching, as well as modules that include live music events, music in the community, and wellbeing.

On this pathway you'll work towards a major public performance project.

Music Composition Pathway

On the Music Composition pathway, you’ll work with a teacher todevelop your technical and creative skills.

Combining what you've already learned, you'll discover and evolve new approaches and techniques to help you to realise your aspirations and potential as a musician.

You'll collaborate with other musicians on creative music projects, gaining insights into what's needed to engage with the contemporary musical world.

On this pathway you'll work towards presenting a portfolio of creative work, either live, or as a recording.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

The module information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Music MA Performance pathway

All students on the Music Performance pathway will take all of the following compulsory modules:

Module Title Credits
Researching Music 20
Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogy: Practice-based Teaching 20
Performing Music 20
Developing Your Musicianship 40
Music Major Creative Project 60

You also take one optional 20-credit module from the following list:

Module Title Credits
Translation for Singing 20
Live Music Events 20
Pedagogical Technology in Music Education 20
Music Education, Community & Wellbeing 20
The Recording Industry, IP and AI 20

Music MA Composition pathway

All students on the Music Composition pathway will take all of the following compulsory modules:

Module Title Credits
Researching Music 20
Music and the Creative Economy: Concepts and Practices 20
Composing Music 20
Developing Your Musicianship 40
Major Creative Project 60

You also take one optional 20-credit module from the following list:

Module Title Credits
Translation for Singing 20
Live Music Events 20
Pedagogical Technology in Music Education 20
Music Education, Community & Wellbeing 20
The Recording Industry, IP and AI 20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Performance pathway students will have one-to-one instrumental or vocal lessons, alongside master classes delivered by university and visiting staff.

Composition pathway students will work one-to-one with a supervisor, enhanced with master class events.

In addition to lessons in performing or composing, practical workshops encourage you and your fellow students to share what you've learned.

You'll join a supportive and inspiring community which will nurture your own artistic practice.

By working with professional musicians and top researchers, you’ll gain valuable insight into the local, national, and global contexts of your music. You’ll also learn different ways to integrate this understanding back into your own practice.

On our programme you’ll maintain a high level of private study activity including:

Semester 1 focuses on developing skills in composition or performance to develop your individual musicianship. We'll also guide you through planning what you will do in semesters 2 and 3, focusing on your final major project.

Semester 2 develops your personal skills further, as well as learning to work together in groups or ensembles, or, if you're a composer, working with live musicians. You’ll apply your musicianship in “real world” professional-type situations. You’ll also develop skills in writing about music which are transferable skills with-in the wider arts sector.

Semester 3 allows you to immersive yourself in your main creative project. This may take the form of a live or recorded performance, such as:

This is where you get to showcase your personal achievements on the programme.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

Additional assessment information

As part of the taught classes, you’ll receive regular feedback through group discussions and practical projects. We'll assess you through:

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

Your future

Further study

This course can provide preparation for PhD level study in music as a creative practice or in artistic research.

Careers

Our programme prepares you for a wide range of careers such as:

Read more about careers with a Music degree

Hear from our Music graduates

Careers support

Dr. Jane Nolan is our employability and enterprise champion for Music in the School of Arts and Cultures.

Contact Jane

Our Careers Service

Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.\ \ You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.\ \ We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

If you’re studying an accredited degree and thinking about working in Europe after you graduate, the best place to find current information is the UK Government’s guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states. This official resource explains whether your profession is regulated in another country, what steps you need to take, and which organisation you should contact.

Facilities

Rehearsal spaces

We have numerous rehearsal and practice facilities, reserved for the exclusive use of our Music students and ensembles. You'll have access to a range of rehearsal spaces, including:

Our eight large teaching spaces are also available after teaching hours for ensemble rehearsals and sectional practices. Larger rooms can be booked in advance on our online booking system and we've made sure that each room contains a piano.

Studios

Our professional recording and music production suites cater for a wide range of musical approaches. They provide a space for:

Our studios are interconnected allowing for cross-disciplinary and collaborative work throughout the building.

We have a very large range of professional portable recording equipment and tools designed for live electronics and live performance using digital and analogue technologies.

Instruments and equipment

For keyboard specialists we have a large collection of historical keyboard instruments, such as:

There is extensive PA and backline amplification and processing available for popular and contemporary musics.

The department also has:

Performance spaces

Newcastle University has four main performance spaces.

The King's Hall is situated at the heart of the Armstrong Building and can seat 400 people. There are regular concerts in here which you can find on the University's Live in the King's Hall page, and a new custom-built concert organ installed in 2018 has pride of place.

We have a dedicated Band Room for popular music practice in the custom-built Music Studios building that is configurable for teaching, rehearsing, recording and live public performances. It includes a full lighting rig and comprehensive "backline" technology.

The Recital Room is used for rehearsals, acoustic and chamber music, Gamelan rehearsals, and various events organised both by the University and by local promoters.

Culture Lab is a more contemporary venue, excellent for performances using digital media, with an excellent Genelec loudspeaker system, and a professional cinema projection space.

Read more about the facilities in our Music department

The University Library provides access to:

See more about the University Library's special collections

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Qualification: MA Full time
Home students Full time: 12 months Tuition fees (per year) £11,400
International students Full time: 12 months Tuition fees (per year) £25,900
Qualification: MA Part time
Home students Part time: 24 months Tuition fees (per year) £5,700

Home students - Arts and Cultures Postgraduate Taught Scholarships (2025 entry)

The School of Arts and Cultures is pleased to offer £2,000 tuition fee awards for outstanding home applicants who apply to commence full-time studies on this degree for 2025 entry. Read more.

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

Find out more about:

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding and scholarships

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

Academic entry requirements

A 2:2 or above from a UK university, conservatoire, or international equivalent, in music, or a related equivalent degree with a equivalent specialism in either musical performance or composition.

If you did not study performance or composition as part of your degree, but have a high level of skill (portfolio or audition at application) there may be circumstances where professional, or equivalent experience in the field may be considered alongside an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject area.

Qualifications from outside the UK

Select your country

English Language requirements

Select your qualification IELTSPearsonsDuolingo English TestTOEFLOtherPre-Sessional Entry - 6 weeksPre-Sessional Entry - 10 weeks

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

How to apply

Before you start

Start Dates

The course starts in September.

Closing Dates

There is no application closing date for this course.

We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

Specialised application information

As part of your application, we ask that you submit a sample of your work. Our requirements will depend on the pathway you wish to be considered for:

Music Performance

Within your application form please provide a URL to a video of your chosen performance (the performance video should be 8-10 minutes in length).

Music Composition

Within your application form please provide a link to an online audio file or files giving a representative sample of two compositions or tracks or two sections from a larger composition

Deposit

All International students

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you must pay a deposit or submit an official letter of sponsorship. The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study with us. This deposit is non-refundable and will be deducted from your tuition fees when you register. You may also be subject to academic and English language qualification verification, confirmation of funds and credibility interviews.

International students who received an offer before 18 March 2026

International students Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan who received an offer after 18 March 2026

All International students (excluding those from the markets above) who received an offer after 18 March 2026

Programme codes

Qualification: MA Full time
Full time: 12 months Programme Code: 4190F
Qualification: MA Part time
Part time: 24 months Programme Code: 4190P

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

\ Apply Online

Open days and events

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

School of Arts and Cultures\ Telephone (main office): +44 (0)191 208 5336\ Email: bennett.hogg@newcastle.ac.uk

General enquiries

For more general enquiries, you could also complete our online enquiry form.

Fill in our enquiry form

Application enquiries

If you've got a question about your application, send us an enquiry via the application portal you applied through.

If you haven't applied yet, you can send your questions via our enquiry form.

Fill in our enquiry form

Live chat

Our Ncl chatbot might be able to give you an answer straight away. If not, it’ll direct you to someone who can help.

You'll find our Ncl chatbot in the bottom right of this page.

Chat to our students

Choosing a university is a big decision. If you've got questions about a particular course, student life or the city of Newcastle, why not chat to our friendly students or graduates!

Keep updated

We regularly send email updates and extra information about the University.

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