Music and Sound Design, MA
Take your passion for sonic creativity to the next level with our Master’s course in Music and Sound Design.
The course will encourage you to be forward-thinking and innovative and will prepare you to respond both technically and creatively to diverse professional industry environments, or for further academic study.
Taught by world-leading experts from Greenwich’s SOUND/IMAGE Research Centre, you’ll have access to great facilities including our three Sound Studios, Spatial Audio Lab, Loudspeaker Orchestra and an array of microphones and location sound recording equipment.
Graduates from the School’s existing courses have gone on to work in a range of different jobs in music and sound including - sound editing, sound design, film composition for film, television, games, media and theatre, spatial audio, music production, VR and interactive media, and experimental sound practices.
School
Location
Duration
- 1 years full-time
- 2 years part-time
Start month
September
Home/international fees
What you should know about this course
What you will study
FULL-TIME COURSE
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules:
- Contemporary Sonic Practices (30 credits)
- Spatial and Immersive Audio (30 credits)
- Major Project – Practice Research (60 Credits)
- Practice Research Cultures (30 credits)
Students are also required to choose 30 credits from this list of options:
- Audiovisual Composition for Film, Games and Media (30 credits)
- Expanded Artforms (30 credits)
PART-TIME COURSE
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules:
- Contemporary Sonic Practices (30 credits)
- Spatial and Immersive Audio (30 credits)
- Practice Research Cultures (30 credits)
Year 2
Students are required to study the following compulsory module:
- Major Project – Practice Research (60 Credits)
Students are also required to choose 30 credits from this list of options:
- Audiovisual Composition for Film, Games and Media (30 credits)
- Expanded Artforms (30 credits)
About the course team
Our team of academics and composers explores the potential in sound and audio-visual media, bringing together musicians and sound designers, film makers, artists and philosophers to critically reflect upon and develop world leading research in this diverse and interdisciplinary area. In addition, there will be regular external contributions to learning and teaching through guest lectures.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
If you are
You should have an honours degree 2:2 or above in a relevant subject.
You may also be considered if you have an honours degree in an area other than music or sound design, but you will need to present evidence of substantial work within the music and/or sound field and an aptitude for working at Master's level.
We may also consider applicants without standard qualifications but with extensive and appropriate work experience.
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses.
For detailed information on the academic and English language requirements, please find your country in our directory.
Alternatively, please contact us:
- By telephone: +44 (0)20 8331 8136.
- By email: international@gre.ac.uk.
Further information about entry
- You will need to submit a portfolio of your work and provide a personal statement indicating your suitability for the course.
- Applicants are assessed on their portfolios and written statement.
- Suitable applicants will be invited to an interview.
- We welcome applications from mature students.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use prior learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Covid safe teaching and learning
We are looking forward to welcoming students to our campuses for 2022/23. In line with government guidance, we are committed to delivering as much of our teaching, learning and student activity as possible on campus for the 2022/23 academic year. Depending on the national situation, and government advice, the situation may change but we are confident we are ready to manage any changes quickly and safely. Find out more about how we are keeping our campuses safe.
Teaching
Teaching takes place over several days, and hours may vary depending on your module choice. Students will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, technical workshops, seminar groups and individual tutorials by expert staff and leading industry professionals.
Class sizes
This course will run for the first time from September 2023 so we are unable to give an indication of class sizes.
Independent learning
Students are required to undertake independent learning throughout their time on course. Tasks will include regular set reading and research activities, as well as independent work on practical tasks, such as composition, sound design and spatial audio techniques.
Students will apply skills and knowledge gained in the delivery of their own independent work.
Personal tutors will support students to set out their own development plans in response to student career aspirations and identify specific support where necessary.
Overall workload
Students will undertake four 30-credit credit modules and one 60-credit module. Each module consists of 300 hours of work, divided between contact hours and independent study.
Assessment
The range of assessment strategies will challenge students to develop appropriate skills. The structure and details of each course has been devised to respond to the needs of industry. Students will be assessed through a diverse range of coursework and project assignments, including written work, presentations, creative portfolios and compositions.
Feedback summary
We aim to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
2023/24 fees
| Full-time (per year) | Part-time (per 30 credits) | |
|---|---|---|
| View fees |
Fees are assessed based on your country of domicile, with students domiciled in the EU charged international fees. If you are unsure, find out more about how your fee status is assessed.
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. We have dedicated accommodation for postgraduate students (Devonport House) available from just £160 per person per week, with bills included. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost. Students based at the Medway Campus can also reside in student halls in Chatham or rent privately in the local area.
There is a range of financial support available to support your studies. This includes postgraduate loans, international scholarships, and options for current students and alumni to continue studying at the university. EU students may be eligible for a bursary to support their study. View our EU bursary to find out more.
We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Careers and placements
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
The breadth of the curriculum is such that graduates will be equipped to seek employment in areas as diverse as theatre sound, music production, games, immersive experiences, live sound and acoustic engineering, or further academic study for MPhil and/or PhD.
While this is a new course, graduates from the School’s existing courses have gone on to work in a range of different jobs in music and sound including: sound editing, sound design, film, composition for film, television, games, media and theatre, spatial audio, music production, VR and interactive media, and experimental sound practices.
Do you provide employability services?
We have an Employability Officer for postgraduate students to consult about specific opportunities relevant to the course. They work closely with professionals in industry to ensure you are well-prepared for the workplace and have already begun to build your professional network by the time you graduate.
The central Employability and Careers Service also provides support for students preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles, such as CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Support from the department
As a postgraduate student in the School, you will be a member of a wider creative community.
Each year we run a graduate show where our degree students can showcase their best work.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate taught prospectus or check our related courses below.
Film and media degrees at the University of Greenwich
Develop your skills and knowledge in our award-winning building, equipped with sound studios, edit suites, broadcast-standard TV studios and a great library.
Visit our film and media degrees page.
Film and media degrees courses
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Need more help?
020 8331 9000• Live chat• courseinfo@gre.ac.uk• More information