Key Information
- Duration: Full-time: 36 months; Part-time: 72 months (Home students)
- Start dates: September 2026, January 2027; apply anytime
- Language: English
- English requirements: Duolingo English Test 135, TOEFL iBT 100, PTE Academic 76, IELTS 7
Overview
The Music PhD programme from Newcastle University practice-based research focuses on composition, performance, improvisation and other forms of multi-media work.
Applications are welcome from students with academic or practice-based research interests in any field that we are able to supervise. Visit the programme website for more information.
You'll join a wider community of fellow postgraduate students working in the International Centre for Music Studies (ICMuS), and more widely in the School of Arts and Cultures and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. ICMuS also holds regular PhD/MPhil forums for students to discuss their research.
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Cultural and critical
- Historiographic
- Ethnomusicological
- Music analytical
- Philosophical and aesthetic
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English Requirements
- Duolingo English Test: 135
- TOEFL iBT: 100 (OR)
- PTE Academic: 76
- IELTS: 7
Other Requirements
General requirements:
- A 2:1 honours degree or higher (or international equivalent), in a related subject.
- PhD applicants also require a Master's degree at Merit standard or higher (or international equivalent).
You need to submit a research proposal with your online application. Your research proposal should:
- be at least 1,000 words
- outline research objectives
- field of study
- methodology
- timescale of research project
- give an indication of the relevant literature
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
International: 46,476 AUD / year ≈ 24,400 GBP / year
Living Costs
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom: 1,067-1,888 AUD / month
Scholarships
- Opportunity Scholarships – 2000 GBP – Deadline: Anytime – Provided by university – Merit-based
- Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships – 4000 GBP – Deadline: Anytime – Provided by university – Merit-based
- 2% Early Payment Discount – Various benefits – Deadline: 25 Sep 2026 – Provided by university – Need-based
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program – Various benefits – Deadline: 07 Oct 2026 – Independent provider
- ServiceScape Scholarship – 1000 USD – Deadline: 30 Nov 2026 – Independent provider
- ACES Scholarships – 3500 USD – Deadline: 15 Nov 2026 – Independent provider
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility – Various benefits – Deadline: Not specified – Independent provider
- Scholarships for PhD Students – 19000 GBP – Deadline: Not specified – Independent provider
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship – Various benefits – Deadline: 28 Feb 2027 – Independent provider
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship – 1000 USD – Deadline: 31 Oct 2026 – Independent provider
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship – 1000 USD – Deadline: 01 Mar 2027 – Independent provider
- Women Scholarship for International Students – 5000 USD – Deadline: 28 Aug 2026 – Independent provider
- The PhD Prep Fellowship – 10000 USD – Deadline: 01 Sep 2026 – Independent provider
- Dream Chaser Scholarship – 1000 USD – Deadline: 13 Jan 2027 – Independent provider
- Scholarship for students with disabilities – 3000 USD – Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 – Independent provider
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids – 22500 GBP – Deadline: Not specified – Independent provider
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship – 1500 USD – Deadline: Not specified – Independent provider
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – 12000 USD – Deadline: 11 Jan 2027 – Independent provider