Master of Music (MMus)
Overview
The Master of Music (MMus) degree requires at least one year of full-time or its equivalent in part-time study. It may be awarded in Composition, Studio Production, or Performance.
Every candidate for the degree must either have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Music with Honours (MusB(Hons)) or have been awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Music (PGDipMus), or have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
To gain the MMus in Composition, a candidate will work with a supervisor towards the presentation of a portfolio of compositions, including an extended work, by the end of the study period.
To gain the MMus in Performance, a candidate will work with a supervisor towards the presentation of two recitals and a viva voca by the end of the study period.
To gain the MMus in Studio Production, a candidate will work with a supervisor towards the presentation of a substantial, professional-quality sound recording of original or arranged works, accompanied by a written exegesis, by the end of the study period.
Graduates find themselves in a wide variety of careers, including music performance, composition, education, technology, theatre and the media.
Regulations for the Degree of Master of Music (MMus)
1 Admission to the Programme
(a) Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
(b) Every applicant must either
(i) have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Music with Honours, or
(ii) have been awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Music, or
(iii) have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
2 Structure of the Programme
(a) The degree may be awarded in Composition, Studio Production, or Performance.
(b) To gain the degree in Composition, a candidate must present an approved portfolio comprising an extended work and such further compositions as may be required.
(c) To gain the degree in Studio Production, a candidate must present a substantial, professional-quality sound recording of original or arranged works, accompanied by a written exegesis.
(d) To gain the degree in Performance, a candidate must present two approved public recitals in the University, at least one of which shall be at the end of the programme, and undergo an oral examination.
(e) A candidate may not present a composition, studio sound recording, or recital programme which has previously been accepted for another degree.
3 Duration of the Programme
(a) A candidate shall follow a programme of study for not less than one year.
(b) A candidate shall normally satisfy the requirements of the degree within two years of admission to the programme.
4 Examination
(a) The required compositions, studio production, or recitals shall be assessed by a panel of at least two examiners, one of whom shall be external and one internal to the University.
(b) The candidate's supervisor shall not be an examiner but may make a report on the work of the candidate to the Head of the Department of Music.
(c) Each examiner shall supply a written report on the required compositions, studio production, or recitals, and an overall result selected from the options as specified in clause (d) below.
(d) The examiners may recommend that the required compositions or studio production:
(i) be accepted without amendments;
(ii) be accepted subject to amendments being made at the discretion, and to the satisfaction, of the Head of the Department of Music;
(iii) does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but may be revised and resubmitted for examination;
(iv) does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of submission.
(e) The examiners may recommend that the required recitals:
(i) be accepted;
(ii) does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but a revised programme may be submitted for examination;
(iii) does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of submission.
(f) Amendments shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Head of the Department of Music.
(g) A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit the required compositions, studio production, or recitals for examination once only.
(h) If revised and resubmitted required compositions, studio production, or recitals are finally accepted, the result shall be either 'Pass' or 'Fail' (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with Distinction or Credit.
(i) Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Head of the Department of Music should so report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) or nominee who shall arrive at a decision after consulting a referee who should normally be external to the University.
5 Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or credit.
6 Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
Note: An application for admission to the programme is required; this is separate from the enrolment process. Applications should normally reach the Division of Humanities by 10 December.
