Music
We are a creative and comprehensive centre of excellent musical research, composition and performance.
Research-active staff at the School of Music offer supervision in all areas across
- musicology
- composition
- performance
You may specialise in any of these areas for PhD, presenting work in one of three different formats: a thesis, a portfolio of compositions with commentary, or a performance recital with supporting thesis.
We combine acknowledged research expertise in dedicated areas with a commitment to the wider scholarly world, and a clear sense of our role in the cultural life of a capital city.
Strategic collaborations with international organisations, including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera, and National Museum Wales, allow us to make extensive contributions to the world of music, both within and beyond academia.
We are home to an active and engaged postgraduate community. Our postgraduates are encouraged to play an integral role in our research culture, including participating in research events, projects, and seminars.
Key facts
| Mode of study | Full-time, part-time |
|---|---|
| Qualification | PhD, MPhil |
| Full-time duration | PhD 3 years; MPhil 1 year |
| Part-time duration | PhD 5 years; MPhil 2 years |
| Start dates | January, April, July, October |
Assessment
Composition
Candidates for this scheme are required to submit a major work or portfolio of works of original composition, accompanied by a written commentary (of between 10,000 and 20,000 words for PhD; of between 5,000 and 10,000 words for MPhil) providing a critical analysis and placing the work in its academic context. The submission should include supporting recorded material in an appropriate format determined by the School.
Practice-led submissions are assessed by the same generic criteria as any other Cardiff University MPhil or PhD. In this regard a practice-led submission should represent sustained research into an aspect of musical composition, rather than samples of professional practice. Research in this context is understood as a process of investigation leading to new insights, effectively shared.
Musicology
The text of a PhD thesis should not normally exceed 80,000 words (excluding bibliographies and appendices). The text of an MPhil thesis should not normally exceed 60,000 words (excluding bibliographies and appendices).
Performance
For PhD in Music Performance, the submission will take one of the following forms:
- a 90-minute performance plus a thesis of ca. 50,000 words or a scholarly edition with critical commentary
- a portfolio of performances of ca. 220-minutes in total, supported by a written commentary of ca. 20,000 words
Performances may be live or a sound and video recording (DVD or equivalent), or a combination.
Post-examination, a recording of the performance(s), in a format agreed by the School of Music, shall form part of the durable record.
Practice-led submissions are assessed by the same generic criteria as any other Cardiff University MPhil or PhD. In this regard a practice-led submission should represent sustained research into an aspect of musical composition, rather than samples of professional practice. Research in this context is understood as a process of investigation leading to new insights, effectively shared.
Research areas
UK government postgraduate doctoral loans
Candidates for the Professional Doctorate programme may be eligible to apply for a UK government postgraduate doctoral loan.
Find out more about UK government postgraduate doctoral loansFunding
We regularly make small doctoral studentships awards in the form of tuition fee discounts to PhD applicants. Scholarships are subject to availability on a year on year basis, awards are not guaranteed to be conferred each year and are awarded at the discretion of the School.
Funding is also available through the AHRC South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership.
See our latest PhD studentships and projects and find out more about other funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Students from the UK
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the rest of the world (international)
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).
English language requirements
IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or equivalent. Please see our English Language Requirements guidance for more details.
Contacts
Administrative contact(s)
Huw Rhys Thomas
Postgraduate Research (PGR) and Research Administrator
- Welsh speaking
- thomash6@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2251 1092
