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Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 21,500
Per year
Start Date
Medium of studying
Duration
48 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
PhD
Major
Music | Music Performance | Music Production
Area of study
Arts
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 21,500
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2024-09-01-
2025-01-01-
2025-04-01-
About Program

Program Overview


The Popular Music Practice PhD program at the University of Sussex empowers students with the skills to create original music and conduct research on popular music practices. Through practice-led research, students produce a dissertation demonstrating their original research and a portfolio showcasing their musical creativity, accessing specialized facilities like the Jonathan Harvey Electronic Music Studio. The program's focus on interrogating popular music languages and styles fosters innovative and original approaches to the field.

Program Outline


Degree Overview:

  • Objectives: The Popular Music Practice PhD aims to help students produce a portfolio of original music in the form of creative work.
  • Through methods of composition and performance, students will critique and advance popular music practices.
  • Description: The program involves the creation of a portfolio of original music, a 20,000-40,000-word dissertation demonstrating original research, and access to specialized facilities like the Jonathan Harvey Electronic Music Studio and rare music scores.

Assessment:

  • Dissertation: The program culminates in a 20,000-40,000-word dissertation that demonstrates original research and highlights the ways in which the student's practice makes a substantial contribution to knowledge or understanding in their chosen field.
  • Portfolio: Students will create a portfolio of original music that showcases their creative work and demonstrates their understanding of popular music practices.

Teaching:

  • Facilities: Students have access to the Jonathan Harvey Electronic Music Studio, rare 20th-century music scores, and unique collections of jazz and music television documentaries.
  • Faculty: The program is supervised by a team of experienced faculty members, including Dr. Danny Bright, Professor Michael Bull, Professor Alice Eldridge, Professor Evelyn Ficarra, Dr. Mimi Haddon, Professor David Hendy, Professor Ed Hughes, Dr. Malcolm James, Professor Kate Lacey, Professor Thor Magnusson, Mr. Joseph Watson, and Dr. Lee Westwood.

Other:

  • Duration: The program can be completed in up to 4 years full-time or 6 years part-time.
  • Start Dates: Students can choose to start in September, January, or April.
  • Application Deadline: The application deadline is 1 month before the start date for UK students and 3 months before the start date for international students.
  • Location: The program is offered at the University of Sussex in Brighton, UK.
  • Program Focus: The program focuses on researching and interrogating the languages and performance styles of popular music.

Home students: £4,786 per year for full-time students Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £4,786 per year for full-time students International students: £21,500 per year for full-time students

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About University
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University of Sussex


Overview:

The University of Sussex is a leading, research-intensive university located in Brighton, UK. It is known for its commitment to academic excellence and its focus on creating a vibrant and diverse campus community.


Services Offered:

The university offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

    Accommodation:

    On-campus housing options are available for students, with various types of accommodation to suit different needs and budgets.

    Student Support:

    The university provides comprehensive support services to students, including academic advising, career counseling, and mental health resources.

    Careers:

    The university offers career services to help students find internships, graduate jobs, and develop their career skills.

    Library:

    The university library provides access to a vast collection of books, journals, and online resources.

    IT Services:

    Students have access to a range of IT services, including computer labs, wireless internet, and online learning platforms.

Student Life and Campus Experience:

Students at the University of Sussex can expect a vibrant and engaging campus experience. The university offers a wide range of clubs, societies, and sports teams for students to join. The campus is located in a beautiful setting, with easy access to the city of Brighton.


Key Reasons to Study There:

    Research Excellence:

    The university is renowned for its research excellence, with a strong focus on innovation and impact.

    World-Class Faculty:

    The university boasts a world-class faculty, with experts in a wide range of fields.

    Vibrant Campus Community:

    The university has a diverse and welcoming campus community, with a strong sense of belonging.

    Location:

    The university is located in Brighton, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a thriving arts and culture scene.

Academic Programs:

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

    Arts and Humanities:

    English, History, Philosophy, Music, Theatre, and more.

    Social Sciences:

    Politics, Sociology, Economics, Psychology, and more.

    Science and Engineering:

    Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and more.

    Business and Management:

    Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, and more.

Total programs
453
Average ranking globally
#276
Average ranking in the country
#25
Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements:

  • Degree Requirements: A Merit (an average of 60% overall) in a Masters degree and an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree are typically expected.
  • Subject-Specific Requirements: Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research.
  • You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience.
  • English Language Requirements:
  • IELTS (Academic):
  • High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component). IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
  • Alternative English Language Qualifications:
  • Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE):
  • 169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): 169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.
  • LanguageCert International ESOL SELT: High level (International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 39 in each component).
  • Pearson PTE Academic: High level (62 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills).
  • TOEFL (iBT): High level 88 overall, including at least 20 Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.
  • Country Exceptions: If you are a national of one of the following countries, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, The British Overseas Territories, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, USA.

Language Proficiency Requirements:

  • IELTS (Academic): High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).
  • Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE): 169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): 169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.
  • LanguageCert International ESOL SELT: High level (International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 39 in each component).
  • Pearson PTE Academic: High level (62 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills).
  • TOEFL (iBT): High level 88 overall, including at least 20 Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.
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