Overview

The Composition degree delivered by Cardiff University aims to offer knowledge and expertise for a career in professional music composition.

Composition students also get to hear their music rehearsed and recorded in workshops with professional performers and ensembles. This offers an unmatched experience of working with practitioners to realise your compositional ideas in a constructive and friendly atmosphere.

Distinctive features

Research students are given an allowance to help support attending conferences, obtaining research materials, recording performances of their music, or conducting relevant research away from Cardiff.

Refurbished facilities for music postgraduates including a suite of dedicated computer and study rooms, hi-fi facilities and electronic piano, a kitchen and a common room.

Depending on individual suitability (e.g. language proficiency) and research interests, postgraduates may elect to take a period of study abroad at one of many affiliated European University Music Schools.

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Programme Structure

Courses include:

Composition seminars take place regularly (either weekly or fortnightly) through the academic year. Aspects of compositional technique, new repertoire and interviews with visiting composers will be offered as opportunities arise.

There will also be opportunities to conduct your music with the University’s Contemporary Music Group and visiting professional ensembles.

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Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months
Part-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-10-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-01-05 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-05 00:00:00
Starting 2027-04-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-07-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-04-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

90

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PTE Academic

69

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IELTS

6.5

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Cardiff, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Music Music Composition View 10 other PhDs in Music Composition in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

90

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

69

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Suitable for graduates in Music. Candidates are normally expected to have a 1st or upper 2nd class Honours degree, or equivalent, and to have completed, or be about to complete, a taught master's degree involving music.

Applicants must also show evidence of appropriate skills in music composition (for Composition) or music performance (for Performance) as well as foreign language skills (if relevant).

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Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

21200 GBP / year

≈ 21200 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

5006 GBP / year

≈ 5006 GBP / year

Additional Details

Part-time tuition fees: £2,503

Living costs

Cardiff

United Kingdom

628 - 1066 GBP / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Composition.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Distinctive features

Get more details

Programme Structure

Check out the full curriculum

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

Explore more key information

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Make sure you meet all requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

Cardiff

Funding

Check for any work restrictions

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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