This programme provides professional training in composition for screen media. Taught by expert staff and guest composers from the professional world, you will develop a strong technological foundation in the subject, along with specialist understanding and creative experience in television, film and game scoring, and practical insight into today's media industry.
The MA is taught within our high-specification composition and recording studios, which have full-time technical support. You will make the most of the collaborative opportunities we set up, within and beyond the University, for projects in film, animation, documentary, games and more. You will also be actively encouraged to develop your own opportunities and networks.
In the first term, you will study units introducing you to working and recording in studios, and the core skills of film scoring. In the second term, the programme moves on to media composition practice including production music, TV and documentary, and to music for games and other non-linear forms. You also take an elective unit in each term to broaden and deepen your knowledge, across areas such as orchestration, analysing media music, or working with live performers. This work feeds into original collaborations that you may choose to include in your final portfolio.
There are four core units and you will be able to choose two optional units from a wide selection that address further compositional skills, and the study of film, TV and other screen media. You will also complete a media composition portfolio/dissertation: a substantial portfolio of original music for new collaborative films and/or related screen media projects (a total of approximately 18 to 20 minutes of music for up to 50 minutes of viewing time).
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MA in Composition of Music for Film and Television.
You will typically need a strong second-class honours degree (55% or higher) or an international equivalent in Music. Non-traditional qualifications/routes may also be considered.
You must also have experience as a composer, demonstrated by a portfolio of your music. For further information on the required portfolio and the expected format, please see the Department of Music website .
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional qualifications. If you have the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing:
a relevant postgraduate qualification.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels .
Apply via our online application system. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.
Overseas applicants: 12 August 2027. Home applicants: 9 September 2027.
Please note that due to high demand, some programmes may close earlier than advertised. Early applications are advised to avoid disappointment. Places are limited and allocated on a continuous basis from September 2026 until all places are filled.