Key information
- Duration: Full-time 36 months; Part-time 60 months
- Start dates & application deadlines:
- Starting January 2027 - Apply before Oct 2026
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.
Visit the programme website for more information
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.
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
- GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- TOEFL iBT: 90
- PTE Academic: 69
- IELTS: 6.5
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).
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
- International: 39,900 AUD / year (≈ 21,200 GBP / year)
- Domestic: 9,422 AUD / year (≈ 5,006 GBP / year)
Additional Details
- Part-time tuition fees: £2,503
Living costs
Cardiff, United Kingdom: 1,182-2,006 AUD / month
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
Scholarships are available; for accurate scholarship information, contact the university or consult its scholarships pages.