MMus Advanced Musical Studies

pathways available in:

• Composition (acoustic and/or studio-based)
• Ethnomusicology
• Historical Musicology
• Multimedia and Film Music
• Performance
• Performance Studies
• Theory and Analysis

The MMus in Advanced Musical Studies is designed to meet the needs of those who wish to specialize in one particular area of Advanced Musical Study, as well as those who want to take a more varied set of options.

Full-time students take two elective courses in each of the first two terms before concentrating on their Special Study in the third term. The Special Study may be a Composition Portfolio (two or three pieces with a total performance time of 30-40 minutes), a Dissertation (15,000-18,000 words) or a Recital (lasting 60 minutes). Each elective counts for one-eighth of the MMus degree, while the Special Study is worth 40%.

Each year the elective courses on offer will typically include:

Two separate courses in each of the following areas:

• Composition
• Ethnomusicology
• Music History
• Performance Studies

And one course in:

• Media and Computer Composition
• 20th-Century Theory and Repertoire
• Theory and Analysis
• Topics in Multimedia and Film Music
• Documenting Performance (weighted as per other electives but offered over two terms)
• Short Recital (weighted as per other electives but offered over two terms).

These courses are assessed, as appropriate, by essay (4,000-5,000 words), portfolio or performance. At least two of the electives you choose from this list must be in the same area as your Special Study (e.g. Ethnomusicology, Music History, etc.). Up to two electives may be substituted for courses taken in other departments at Royal Holloway (such as Languages or History) or at an institution abroad as part of a SOCRATES programme. Students presenting a Special Study in Performance may also take, in place of two of the above electives, a 'minor' dissertation in Performance Studies. (Note that concentration in Performance Studies involves a Special Study dissertation, although performance may be taken as an elective.)

In addition to the Special Study and the four electives, all students take Skills in Advanced Musical Studies, worth 10% of the degree. This course consists of five lectures in the first term (leading to a 3,000-word essay) plus a second component chosen from a wide range of different research training options (including seminars at the Institute for Musical Research, Visiting Lecturer series, and Modern Language courses for Musicologists). This component is assessed mostly by essay but there is scope for other kinds of assignment by agreement.

Part-time students take Skills in Advanced Musical Studies plus three electives in the first year, followed by the remaining elective and Special Study in the second year.

For students on all courses our MMus programme permits breadth, depth and cross-disciplinary fertilisation; it also works on its own or as a preparation for a higher degree.

A programme offering a balance of broad-based and specialist training, designed to work as a self-standing qualification or as a preparation for research (including practice-based research). Areas of study include Composition, Ethnomusicology, Historical Musicology, Multimedia and Film Music, Performance, Performance Studies, and Theory and Analysis.

Admissions information

Prospective applicants should visit the Graduate School webpages (http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Graduate-School/Prospective-postgraduates/) for further information about applying online.

Applicants who intend to opt for composition as their special study should submit a portfolio including recordings and scores, along with one writing sample of around 2,500 words.
Applicants who intend to opt for performance as their special study should submit a CD recording and one writing sample of around 2,500 words..
Applicants who intend to opt for a dissertation as their special study should submit two writing samples of around 2,500 words each.

There is no formal deadline, but we recommend that your application reaches us by 31 May. If you intend to apply for AHRC funding, your application should reach us by 10 May. Details about applying for AHRC funding can be found at http://www.rhul.ac.uk/graduate-school/AHRC_BGP/AHRC_index.html.

For further information please contact the postgraduate admissions tutor at Music.PGAdmissions@rhul.ac.uk

MPhil/PhD research opportunities

Royal Holloway welcomes applications for MPhil/PhD research. As a guide to possibilities, please see the academic staff page for a summary of the research interests of all members of the Department, and details of their recent publications and activities.

Funding and Scholarships for MPhil/ PhD candidates:

AHRC scholarships:  The Music Department has available 3 MPhil/PhD Arts and Humanities Research Council block grant scholarships. Details about applying for AHRC funding can be found at http://www.rhul.ac.uk/graduate-school/AHRC_BGP/AHRC_index.html.

The following College scholarships and awards are also available for application to support MPhil/ PhD study. Applicants must have been accepted onto the programme, and should submit the following, along with a supporting statement from their proposed supervisor, by 26 February 2010, to be considered for these awards:

1. Reid Scholarship (HEU Fee Waiver + £13,250)
   Bids should include: the candidate’s CV, details of proposed area of study (research proposal) and a supporting statement (max. one side of A4).  Awards will be made at the discretion of the Dean.
2. College Maintenance Award (£6,000)
   Bids should include the candidate’s CV, details of proposed area of study (research proposal) and a supporting statement  (max. one side of A4)
3. Crossland Scholarship (£5,000)
   Bids should include the candidate's CV, details of proposed are of study (research proposal) and a supporting statement (max. one side of A4).
4. College Research Scholarships – (HEU Fee Waiver)                                       

Applications for all MPhil/PhD bursaries and scholarships should be submitted by 26 February 2010.**

** While the formal deadline has now passed, we will still consider applications that fit closely with the department’s areas of research strength.

Candidates MUST have an accepted place on the MPhil/PhD programme for 2010 in order to be considered for awards. Application forms for study are available through the Graduate School website at: http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Graduate-School/

For further information please contact the postgraduate admissions tutor at Music.PGAdmissions@rhul.ac.uk