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PostgraduateDoctor of Philosophy

Music (Composition)

University of Manchester
Manchester, England
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3 yearsDuration
£11,250Per Year (Intl)
£26,000Avg. Graduate Salary
N/AContinuation Rate

Course Overview

Pursue your ambitions in creative arts and design with the PhD Music (Composition) at University of Manchester. Based in Manchester, England, this Russell Group university offers a research-led approach to learning, with a 3-year full-time and part-time structure. Our PhD Music (Composition) programme will see you produce a portfolio of compositions and a written commentary, allowing you to develop your original creative voice under the supervision of our specialist academic staff. Our research across the department involves particular focus on seven core research areas , built around research questions, themes and approaches that are shared by a number of members of staff. Explored thematically during our Thursday research afternoons, the core research areas allow us to interrogate key issues in music research from multiple angles, fostering imagina... A minimum ielts score of 6.5 is required for admission. Graduates from this programme benefit from strong career prospects, with 88% student satisfaction rating, and 76% of graduates in employment or further study.

What You'll Learn

Advanced Compositional Techniques
Research Methodologies in Music
Sound
Space and Interactive Art
Politics
Protest and Power in Music
Historically and Culturally Informed Analysis
Intercultural Musicking and Global Perspectives
Critical Reception and Aesthetic Theory
Creative Practice and Artistic Research
Academic Year:2026-27 entry
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Entry Requirements

📋 Academic Entry Requirements

Postgraduate Requirement2:1

🗣️ English Language Requirements

TestOverallLRWS
IELTS Academic6.56666
PTE Academic76————

L = Listening, R = Reading, W = Writing, S = Speaking

Tuition Fees & Funding

International Student Fee

£11,250

per year

Total Course Cost (36 months)£33,750

Home Student Fee

£2,619

regulated fee

Scholarships available for eligible students

Fees shown are for current entry. Fees may increase annually in line with inflation.

📊 OFFICIAL UK DATA

Graduate Outcomes

Based on official HESA Graduate Outcomes survey data

💰 Graduate Salaries — University of Manchester

Time After GraduationLower Quartile SalaryMedian SalaryUpper Quartile Salary
15 months£23,500£26,000£29,500
3 years£15,500£21,000£26,500
5 years£24,500£29,000£35,500
Indicative Data

Salary figures are based on national sector benchmarks for the CAH25-02-02 subject area and do not represent outcomes specific to this course or provider. These are indicative figures to aid comparison. For official graduate outcomes data, visit Discover Uni at Discover Uni.

💼 Employment Breakdown

70%Working
6%Studying
15%Work & Study
5%Seeking Work
59%Professional Jobs
Indicative Data

Graduate employment outcomes are based on national sector benchmarks for the CAH25-02-02 subject area and do not represent outcomes specific to this course or provider. These are indicative figures to aid comparison. For official graduate outcomes data, visit Discover Uni at Discover Uni.

1 Scholarship Available

Matched to your course, level & nationality

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Merit

President's Doctoral Scholar Award

University of Manchester · Postgraduate

  • Available to all international students
  • For postgraduate study
  • Open to your course
University of Manchester

About University of Manchester

University of Manchester offers Music (Composition) as part of its comprehensive programme offerings.

#35QS World
#8UK Ranking
46,305+Students
446+Courses
Russell GroupTEF Silver
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