MA Music_ Composition Programme Specification 2024-25

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2024-25
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5	Programme Title			MA Music: Composition
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7	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2024		Award type			MA
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9	What level is this qualification?			7		Length of programme			12 months
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11	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full and part-time
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13	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			n/a
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15	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			Music / School of Arts & Creative Technologies
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17	Lead department			Music / School of Arts & Creative Technologies		Other contributing departments
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19	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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21	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			on-campus
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23	Partner organisations
24	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
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28	Reference points
29	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
30	University's Frameworks for Programme Design; QAA Subject Benchmark Statements.
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33	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
34	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
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38	Exceptions to Regulations
39	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
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43	Internal Transfers
44	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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46		Transfers in:	Yes, but only from Music-related MA programmes in the School of ACT.			Transfers out:	Yes, to other Music-related MA programmes in the School of Act, but only as long as the student can meet the specific entry requirements of the chosen programme.
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49	Statement of Purpose
50	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
51	The MA in Music: Composition programme will develop your identity as a creative artist through a wide-ranging critical exploration of diverse approaches to contemporary music alongside an intensive focus on your own creative practice. You will work individually with our team of internationally renowned composers and creative practitioners and collaboratively as part of a community of music-creators across varied opportunities to experiment, workshop, share, discuss, and critically evaluate your compositional methods and priorities. Across seminars, concerts, workshops and individual lessons you will encounter a wide array of contemporary music to expand your musical horizons, and you will interrogate the techniques by which this music is created, both to acquire the tools and to question the assumptions on which they are based. You will develop your practice across instrumental, vocal and (live-)electronic media, and there will be workshop performance opportunities by visiting professional musicians and Artists-in-Association. Supporting modules will help you articulate your work in terms of practice research and develop the critical awareness and writing skills to be able to do this effectively. You will benefit from York’s vibrant performance culture, our long history of innovative practice-based teaching and research, and our lively and supportive community of students and staff. This programme is designed to produce innovative, free-thinking graduates with the knowledge, skills, and critical understanding needed for higher degrees and for a range of prestigious graduate careers in music and other related disciplines.
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62	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
63	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
64	PGCert in Music: Composition			Exit award only	Students will have achieved PLOs 2,4 and 5 albeit at a lesser depth than for the MA programme. They will also have made progress towards PLOs 3 and 6.			any 60 credits; must include Creative & Critical Practice 1.
65	PGDip in Music: Composition			Exit award only	Students will have achieved PLOs 2-6 albeit at a lesser depth than for the MA programme.			any 120 credits.
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67	Programme Learning Outcomes
68	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
69	1	Work independently and collaboratively with the sophistication, close attention to detail, and creative flair developed through the advanced study of music at Master’s level.
70	2	Lead, or constructively contribute to, advanced-level musical activity by composing and communicating about composition at a professional level, supported by advanced skills of research, critical listening, analysis, notation, improvisation, performance, live electronics development, and reflective practice as appropriate.
71	3	Plan and execute focused compositional projects through rigorous planning and the application of appropriate principles and methods, theoretical knowledge, methodologies, practical techniques and experience, and artistic imagination.
72	4	Communicate at an advanced level on a range of issues relating to the history and present of musical repertoire and its performance, its relation to wider culture, and its technical and artistic execution, using appropriate written and oral media and music-making activities.
73	5	Apply the musical and transferable skills gained throughout the programme with confidence and aptitude in a range of national and international professional contexts, for example performance, teaching, project management, academic work, and collaboration.
74	6	Apply self-evaluative skills of reflective practice to inform current work and continuing professional development in composition with creativity, imagination, and initiative.
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76	Diverse entry routes
77	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
78	Students need to have knowledge of Western musical notation and compositional ability demonstrated through work submitted at application, but beyond that we can facilitate transition into the programme through the core module 'Research Skills for Musicians', as well as one-to-one supervision, referrals to the University Writing Centre, use of Academic Skills sessions and bespoke in-School training in academic integrity.
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87	Inclusion
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89	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.									TRUE
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91	Employability
92	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
93	By the end of the course, you'll have a firm understanding and facility across a range of approaches to contemporary composition. You will be able to use this to develop independent creative outputs, whether these are led by your own artistic voice or are responses to specific briefs from collaborators. You'll also be able to reflect critically on your creative decisions, and communicate your ideas about composition in writing and speech, skills that are highly valued in any sector. MA Music graduates go on to a diverse range of careers as creative artists and teachers, as well as administrative work and further study at both universities and conservatoires. Career opportunities: Composer of concert music Composer of film / game / commercial music Freelance composer-performer Contemporary music research and PhD study Community arts worker Private music tutor. Transferable skills: Time management Teamwork Creative problem solving Critical analysis Research skills Communication Self-evaluation.
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