You'll take a combination of core and option modules. Some are from other Masters courses, and several unique to this course.
You'll produce a substantial portfolio of music for screen. Your portfolio can be a collection of independent scores, or a collaboration with student filmmakers.
You'll also study two option modules. Examples of option modules may include:
You could have the opportunity to pick option modules from the rest of our postgraduate music catalogue. It will depend on your previous experience and will be at the discretion of your course leader.
Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Draw on your creative and technical skills to produce a portfolio of music for screen. Your portfolio can be a collection of independent scores, or a collaboration with student filmmakers. We will match you with a team of filmmakers at the start of the production process. You'll work with film students involved in sound, design and direction to create music alongside their original work.
You and your tutor will agree on the contents and duration of your portfolio. You'll also provide a concise written commentary reflecting on what you have produced.
Your assigned professional composer will offer you advice and direction for your project.
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Teaching is delivered through a combination of individual lessons, group lessons and seminars. You'll have opportunities to collaborate with other Masters students within the School.
You will have regular meetings with your supervisor, who will advise you and help develop your ideas as you progress through your studies. We'll connect you with professional screen composers. They'll offer portfolio guidance and share their industry knowledge.
We encourage you to get involved with our lively community, from our ensembles to our weekly seminars, performance classes and research seminars.
The School is home to the Music Research Centre, one of the finest facilities for listening to and recording sound in the UK. There is a large-scale neutral listening and performing space built to extremely low noise specifications (PNC15), a linked studio suite containing a dedicated performance space with configurable acoustics and two mix down/control rooms (one with an SSL Duality console). These facilities include a wide range of microphones and recording hardware/software.
All students have free access to relevant DAWs, notation software and orchestral libraries.
Additionally, students can expect to work with the industry standard facilities within the film, television and creative technologies areas of the School.
Explore our facilities
You will need to attach a link to a portfolio of 2-3 samples of your compositions for screen media. You should also submit a notated score in pdf format for at least one of these where possible. If you have worked exclusively with software/programs for your submitted work for the application, additionally submit a pdf score of a notated piece which can be in any genre or instrumentation and which can be an original work or an arrangement. Please see our guidance on submitting creative work .
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements .
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
You can apply and send all your documentation online. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.
Attach a link to a portfolio of 2 to 3 samples of your compositions for screen media. You should also submit a notated score in PDF format for at least one of these where possible. If you have worked exclusively with software/programs for your submitted work for the application, additionally submit a PDF score of a notated piece which can be in any genre or instrumentation and which can be an original work or an arrangement.
Apply for this course