Composing for Film and Television MMus

Why choose this course?

This Composing for Film and Television course is designed for composers aspiring to work in the media industry and wanting to learn more about techniques for composing and producing music for film and TV. You will learn from experienced composers working across a variety of different media and styles. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with student filmmakers and animators from other courses. You'll produce and record music in our fantastic, unique facilities. In partnership with world-famous record producer Tony Visconti, the British Library and Science Museum, the Visconti Studio comprises of a 300m² octagonal live room stocked with rare and vintage recording equipment.

What you will study

You will analyse film and TV scores, exploring how music is used to create atmosphere, convey mood and depict setting, character and action. You'll also explore the relationships between composer and producer, directors and music editors. As well as studying and practising the use of main themes, underscoring and the harmonic languages of soundtracks, you will also learn about the technology used to produce high-quality soundtracks for the music industry, as well as business and copyright issues.

Teaching and assessment

As a music student, you'll be taught a range of musical styles and encouraged to explore a wide range of musical genres, taking a hands-on, practical and creative approach to learning and develop your critical skills through engagement with new ideas and methods. Assessment is primarily through practical work composing music and sound to media, complemented by written and other assignments that will help you hone your presentation and analytical skills.

After you graduate

Many of the graduates from this Composing for Film and Television course have progressed on to roles either in the music industry itself or related areas – or enrol for further study (eg MPhil/PhD). For those students who are already in employment and undertake the course part-time, the award may accelerate promotion and open up new opportunities.

Students need to have a good honours degree in music from either the UK or abroad (this may be in a specialist field such as popular music, performance or music technology). Typical entry qualifications are an honours degree in music at 2.2 or above (2.1 preferred).