DMus Composition

Course detail
The DMus is a practice-led doctorate, and an alternative to the traditional PhD for experienced practitioners who wish to show an outstanding and innovative contribution a specific area of expertise.
MPhil
After a year of full-time study or two years of part-time study, You will have completed:
a portfolio of notated music composition, 30 to 40 minutes in performance duration - you may submit a recording of the portfolio piece, but this is not compulsory
a critical commentary of at least 5,000 words.
The MPhil portfolio may comprise several pieces to show a range of contrasting abilities, or just one structurally ambitious work. It may be part of an even larger work, which you can use for the DMus portfolio. Your portfolio piece should be innovative, and show a new technique within, or an extension to, an existing practice.
Your critical commentary will provide:
a 'literature review' of contemporary practice in the same field
an analysis and explanation of existing techniques
an explanation of how the creative work represents an extension of, or reaction to, this practice, and how it comprises an original contribution to the area of expertise
an account of the creative research process
conclusions and suggestions for future developments in creative practice.
You will normally be required to complete the Level 7 Research Methods module.

DMus
After approximately three years of full-time study or six years' part-time study, you will have completed:
a portfolio of notated music composition, 75 to 90 minutes in performance duration - of which the MPhil portfolio forms the first 30 to 40 minutes. You may submit a recording of the portfolio piece, but this is not compulsory
a critical commentary of at least 20,000 words, of which the first 5,000 words will be your MPhil critical commentary.
The DMus portfolio may comprise several pieces to show a range of contrasting abilities, but must include one structurally ambitious work lasting 20 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, you may submit just one extended structurally ambitious piece, which your MPhil portfolio may be part of. Your portfolio piece should be innovative, and show a new technique within, or an extension to, an existing practice.
Your critical commentary will provide:
a 'literature review' of contemporary practice in the same field
an analysis and explanation of existing techniques
an explanation of how the creative work represents an extension of, or reaction to, this practice, and how it comprises an original contribution to the area of expertise
an account of the creative research process
conclusions and suggestions for future developments in creative practice.

DMus by Submission
Your submission must include:
a portfolio of notated music composition, 75 to 90 minutes in performance duration. You may submit a recording of the portfolio piece, but this is not compulsory
a critical commentary of at least 20,000 words.
The DMus by Submission portfolio may comprise several pieces to show a range of contrasting abilities, but must include one structurally ambitious work lasting 20 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, you may submit just one extended structurally ambitious piece. At least one of your portfolio pieces will have been composed within the two years before you registered. They do not have to be published works, but should be innovative, and show a new technique within, or an extension to, an existing practice.
Your critical commentary will provide:
a 'literature review' of contemporary practice in the same field
an analysis and explanation of existing techniques
an explanation of how the creative work represents an extension of, or reaction to, this practice, and how it comprises an original contribution to the area of expertise
an account of the creative research process
conclusions and suggestions for future developments in creative practice.
The DMus by Submission is ideally suited to professional composers.

Proposal
Your proposal must not exceed 4,500 words. Unless you are studying for your DMus by Direct Entry or Submission, you will complete this proposal as part of the assessment regime for the Level 7 Research Methods module.
The proposal for the MPhil/DMus in Composition is different from a proposal for a PhD. The core of the proposal will be a list of works you intend for portfolio submission. It should also include the anticipated duration of and instrumentation for each piece. Proposals for DMus by Submission should also append the compositions, and you may choose to discuss the artistic ambition of each work. You must indicate, through backdated registration, the pieces intended for inclusion.
Although most of the pieces will be based on original ideas, you can also submit works developed from pre-existing material - for example, a folk-song arrangement or a fantasia on a theme.
Your proposal may discuss current musical or extra-musical influences on your work, and should explain how your portfolio constitutes an original and substantial contribution to the area of practice. For this, you should include:
a 'literature review' of contemporary practice in the same field
an analysis and explanation of existing techniques in the field
an explanation of how the creative work represents an extension of, or reaction to, contemporary practice.
Your proposal should also include a timescale for each part of the project, and append an outline bibliography. You may also identify areas of technical development, analysing how your portfolio pieces might enable this transition.
You may also include a CV with your proposal.
Assessment
This will involve an oral examination, conducted in much the same way as a traditional PhD. A viva voce will also be necessary when you 'exit' with the MPhil qualification.