DMus in Composition

The DMus offered by the Guildhall School is a unique and distinctive doctoral programme which allows a composer to explore his/her own creative research by taking full advantage not only of the School's performing resources and extensive experience in realising new work, but also its well-established external partnerships. It is intended for composers at an advanced stage who are able to formulate their own creative research questions and work with autonomy and independence.

Submission for the degree is comprised of a folio of work (75 minutes minimum) and supporting commentaries (15-20,000 words) that explore a coherent set of aesthetic questions and make a significant and original contribution to the development of new music. A UK public performance of at least one final DMus composition is also a stipulated requirement, at which the student's examiners will attend.

Initially students are registered for the MPhil degree. Transfer to DMus status occurs after one full year of study (and no later than 18 months after registration) on submission of a folio of work-in-progress (20 minutes minimum). The DMus will normally be completed after three years of full-time research, followed by either a one-year period of "writing-up" or a further year of supervision; only this optional final year of further supervision is available part-time.