If you've studied sound or music technology at university, been working in sound professionally, or if you've been experimenting with sound as a composer, sound artist or engineer and are looking for a way to develop your voice, this programme is for you.
We offer an interdisciplinary taught Masters programme at the forefront of the University of Edinburgh’s rich expertise in the creative arts, music and digital media design.
Uniquely, we balance challenging practical project work with theoretical study. This creates an inspiring and motivating work environment.
Studying for an MSc in Sound Design will expand your appreciation of the potential for sound design across a range of musical and artistic practice. Crucially, you’ll develop as a sonic artist, be challenged to rethink what sound design is and why it is central to a number of developments in the arts, the media, critical theory and even science.
The normal period of study for the degrees are as follows:
MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time
MPhil: Two years full-time or four years part-time
PhD: Three years full-time or six years part-time
For the MPhil and PhD in Composition degrees students are allocated principal and second supervisors who oversee and guide the development of their work.
Students submit a portfolio of original compositions in place of a thesis. The MPhil portfolio should include one work suitable to form the major item in a concert program.
For the PhD the portfolio should normally include one major work, the performance of which would occupy an entire evening (i.e. an opera). Part or all of the portfolio may consist of computer-based or electronic fixed-media works, interactive work or work involving new media.
There is no requirement for an additional thesis or commentary to accompany the portfolio, but students are required to develop an understanding of the cultural context of their work.
All research degrees require students to work closely with a supervision team. Please browse staff profiles to learn about the research specialisms and outputs of Music staff. If your research is interdisciplinary, look at staff profiles in other subject areas, too. We encourage you to approach staff directly to gauge their availability and suitability as a prospective supervisor.
When making first contact with either a prospective supervisor or the Programme Director, please introduce yourself and mention your research intentions as a composer. If you maintain a professional website or online portfolio, please include a link.
This helps potential supervisors to understand your vision of the scope of a PhD or MScR project, and your understanding of the type of practical - as well as intellectual - matters that postgraduate research entails. This early contact with staff should also be helpful to you, for decisions you will need to make about how to develop your proposal, and with whom you would like to work.
The PhD in Creative Music Practice provides an opportunity for candidates to pursue practice-led research in the field of music at the highest level.
The PhD in Creative Music Practice involves research that combines textual and musical outputs. For example:
Composition
Performance (either of original or pre-existing repertoire)
Installation
Sound design
Interactive music software, etc.
The outputs take the form of a portfolio, performance, and/or recording, as well as theoretical work and documentation of the processes by which the music was made (e.g. video, photographs, recordings, sketches, studies, web pages).
The musical outputs are explicitly linked to the textual material. This linkage may take various forms: musical material might exemplify, contextualize, and/or expand an idea elaborated in the text, and vice versa.
The programme requires candidates to critically evaluate and articulate the relationship of textual to extra-textual media in the formation of musical knowledge. The format of the PhD thesis consists of a text of not more than 50,000 words and a comprehensive record of the musical material (recordings, scores, software etc.) contained in a coherent and archive-able format (bound thesis and/or CD/DVD). In the case of theses relating to live musical performances, documentation in the form of high quality audio and video recordings is central to the submitted materials.
Acoustics and music technology sit at the exciting crossroads between science and the arts. In this rewarding programme you will combine aspects of both worlds to gain insight into the science of sound, and progress towards further research or a career in acoustics and music related technology.
What you will study
The MSc/Dip in Acoustics and Music Technology is led by the Reid School of Music. Taking the science of sound as your focus, you’ll work in a cross-disciplinary environment, using theoretical and experimental work to explore the musical, technical and multimedia applications of acoustics and audio technology. You’ll have access to a comprehensive suite of facilities – from up-to-date recording studios and sound desks, to an anechoic chamber, reverberation room and historic concert halls, with availability subject to COVID-19 restrictions.
This is a unique degree programme, combining both technical and creative subjects. You will gain a solid platform in the essential technical aspects of acoustics, signal processing and computer programming for audio, while at the same time have the opportunity to undertake more artistically creative study in the fields of music and sound design. It is also possible to tailor your course choices to take in subjects in mathematics, informatics, physics, electronic engineering and speech recognition and synthesis technologies, for a more technical overall slant. Whatever path you choose to take, you will have a unique opportunity to engage with and learn from world-class academics in the fields of acoustics, music and audio technology, in an environment of active, international-quality research.
This exciting new programme brings together the core scientific and creative subjects that underpin the field of Acoustics and Music Technology. Physics, computer programming, and audio signal processing are taken alongside studies in the creative use of sound, hosted within a dynamic, multi-disciplinary music department. The programme is unique in combining study in both the Sciences and the Arts within an integrated single Honours degree programme that will equip you to invent the future of acoustics, audio, and music technology. If you have interests in both science and engineering, and music, then this programme is for you.
Acoustics and Music Technology are driving a revolution in the way that sound is created, manipulated, transmitted, and replayed. They enable an expanding range of creative applications, from music production to the design of concert halls, from the emerging field of immersive virtual reality to new modalities of musical expression. Continued growth in computer power, in particular, is allowing for remarkable innovation, from next generation methods for sound synthesis, to a transformation in the way we design and experience the built environment, to the emergence of wholly new forms of media.
Such a fast-moving field demands graduates with both deep technical knowledge, and creative mind-sets, able to work across a range of disciplines. The programme emphasises excellence in the core subjects of physics, computer programming, and audio signal processing and combines them with contemporary studies in sound recording, architectural acoustics, creative music technology, sound design, and a range of further options in music and beyond.
You may follow one of two distinct pathways through the programme, in Physical Acoustics, or Computer Music Systems, or you may combine aspects of both pathways to tailor the programme to your specific interests.
The primary objectives of the programme are to provide students with solid skills in science and mathematics, experience in the creative applications of sound and music technology, and industrially-relevant understanding of how these interconnected subjects are shaping the role of sound and music in human society. The diverse and challenging nature of the programme will equip you to work at the fast moving interface between the latest scientific research and the newest forms of musical expression.
Our Creative Music Technology degree is designed to equip you with the artistic, technical, creative, and professional skills needed for a career in the music industries. This degree is highly practical and industry-focused, offering a multi-skilled approach that includes composition, analysis, recording, and production.
Throughout the course, you will develop your music production skills, learning how to convey personal expression and imagination in practical music-production. You will also gain expertise in recorded music and applied sound production. The project-based nature of the programme means you can tailor assignments to your own interests within the broad field of music technology and production.
The course covers a wide range of music technology techniques and resources, helping you to build an in-depth understanding of the field. You will enhance your enquiring, analytical, innovative, and creative approaches to the production and performance of music.
You will gain insight into the business and legal issues related to the successful application of music technology in the commercial environment. This includes learning how to generate and communicate original concepts that build on the knowledge gained in the taught sections of the programme.
Our degree provides state-of-the-art facilities and access to the latest music technology. You will work on projects that include sound design, electronic music, and experimental music, preparing you for a wide range of careers in the audio sector. The course also covers live performances, composing and performing, and sonic arts.
The practice-led course is designed to keep you engaged and excited about your studies. Our strong connections with the local music scene will provide you with plenty of opportunities to apply what you learn in real-world settings.
By the end of the course, you will have developed a comprehensive portfolio of work that showcases your skills and creativity. This will prepare you for employment in the music industry, further research, and continuing professional development. You will be well-equipped to contribute to the future sounds of the music world and excel in contemporary music technology practice.
Develop and refine your creative process using inspiration from past and present composers. Express and apply this in different areas using a broad range of techniques and technologies. Recognised as the 'most musical city' in the UK (per capita) it is a fantastic place to study all genres of music.
BSc(Hons) Creative Music Technology is accredited by JAMES, the education arm of the Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS) and the Music Producers Guild (MPG) who describe the course as 'highly relevant to current industry practice'.
Explore composers and artists past and present, taking inspiration from Bach to Boulez, The Beatles to Hans Zimmer.
Refine and define your own creative process. Develop programming skills and learn how to enhance the sound and quality of audio using technology.
Study composition and enhance your formal musical training in music theory and performance. Get involved with inspiring musical projects in the community, for schools and with local media companies.
Perform in events organised by our celebrated Centre for Music. Activities range from big band, to chamber ensembles and a full symphony orchestra.
Gain valuable real-world experience and a professional portfolio through a series of placements that prepare you for a career in the music industry.
BSc(Hons) Audio and Music Technology receives both accreditation and acclaim from Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES), the education arm of the Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS) and the Music Producers Guild (MPG) who describe the course as 'highly relevant to current industry practice'.
This course is ideal if you're passionate about music and the technology behind it, but don't necessarily have formal musical training or prior technical experience.
It allows you to explore and develop advanced knowledge, techniques and technologies for recording, production, musical expression, digital creativity, audio programming and the science of sound (acoustics and psychoacoustics).
Musical opportunities abound on and off campus, through our celebrated Centre for Music and countless venues, groups, studios and projects in one of the UK's most musical cities.
Gain valuable real-world experience and a professional portfolio through a series of placements that prepare you for a career in the music industry.
