Composition MMus

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Music

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MMus | 1 year | Start date: September 2026
Part-time
  • MMus | 2 years | Start date: September 2026

Key facts

School

Edinburgh College of Art

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme website
Study location

Central Area

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

This programme seeks curious, open-minded, adaptable and highly creative individuals who are keen to acquire new skills and consolidate their existing knowledge across all areas of new music creation.

You may have been making music in your bedroom with experimental sound software or have three string quartets under your belt. You could be a trained performer looking to develop a new musical voice by creating new sounds, systems and music for your instrument, or you could be hoping to skill up so that you are attractive to the film and game music industries.

Whatever your compositional background and ambitions, if you have been composing and creating music at university level or producing work and sharing it with your community, this programme will help you learn a great deal more about your craft and to expand your potential as a creative musician.

This Composition masters programme offers its students broad skills training aiming to prepare the most imaginative and versatile musical minds for a future in music-making across the creative industries.

This is a strongly interdisciplinary programme of study during which you will have the opportunity to create:

  • acoustic and instrumental music
  • screen/film/animation music
  • interactive game audio 
  • sound installations and sonic art.

Thinking about studying MMus Composition at Edinburgh College of Art? Discover the programme, how you'll be taught, and hear from our students about their study experiences with us.
 

Study options

Part-time study

The programme can be studied part-time over two years, taking Portfolio of Compositions, one taught course per semester in the first year, and one taught course per semester in the second year. 

You will finish with the final Composition project over the summer period of the second year. There is currently no distance learning option for this course.

Part-time study will typically require 25 hours per week across learning and teaching activities and coursework.

Programme benefits

  • You will receive broad skills training with access to supervision from a range of leading figures in composition and sound design.
  • Unparalleled flexibility: the programme provides exciting opportunities for exploration across a range of creative practices and wider afield with the Schools of Art, Architecture, Design, and History of Art.
  • Professional prospects: the practical experience you will gain will stand you in good stead for a career in music. Several of our alumni have gone on to have highly successful careers as composers.
  • A world-class research environment: be part of an outstanding University with a world-class international reputation.
  • A vibrant capital city: study in Edinburgh, one of the world’s great capital cities, with a vibrant music and arts scene. The beautiful highlands of Scotland are also only a short journey away.

The MMus in Composition has been a real joy. I’ve seen a significant improvement in the breadth of my work throughout, and found new appreciation for paths untrodden, as supported by their wonderful faculty.

Jack Hinks MMus Composition, graduated 2025

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time
Part-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Additional programme costs

This programme has no compulsory additional costs, but you may incur some optional costs on top of the tuition fee related to your final project.
 
ECA provides a wide range of technical sound equipment, sound studios and software to support your learning and research. There is also bookable access to good quality open-access computers, and a smaller number of laptops are available for loan through central University services. The core software we use in teaching comes without the requirement to purchase a license to use it in an educational context. 
 
You may prefer to use a personal laptop computer for writing and other computer-based activities (Mac or Windows, according to personal preference, for example Macbook Air/Pro, Dell XPS) and wired closed-back headphones (for example Audio-Technica M40x/M50x, Beyerdynamic DT770). However, this is not a compulsory requirement, and it is possible to complete the degree without incurring such additional costs.
 
Depending on your research interests, you may optionally choose to incur costs associated with realising aspects of your final project. Such costs are not compulsory, would depend on the nature of your project, and are unlikely to exceed £100 in value.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject such as music, sound design, or media arts.

We also welcome applicants who do not meet academic entry requirements but demonstrate relevant professional experience.

You must submit a portfolio as part of your application. Your portfolio should include three pieces of work and can include a range of items such as acoustic, electronic, score-based or media music, a small collection of sound recordings, performances or documentation of a sound-based project, such as an installation, film or animation.

Whatever you include, it should clearly be your own work. A short explanation of your role in collaborative projects is required. Your portfolio is best uploaded with the application as a PDF file with explanations about the projects and links to the work hosted on a reliable and accessible online platform.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Across six taught courses and an extensive final project, you will attend a combination of:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • workshop sessions.

External professionals in the field of new music and related areas provide occasional input to support our team of composers. We are especially proud to work closely with our Ensemble in Residence, who support students in the creation, rehearsal, recording and performance of their compositions, through workshops, sessions, masterclasses and concerts.

Assessment

External professionals in the field of new music and related areas provide occasional input to support our team of composers. We are especially proud to work closely with our Ensemble in Residence, who support students in the creation, rehearsal, recording and performance of their compositions, through workshops, sessions, masterclasses and concerts.

Learning outcomes

Students who follow this programme will:

  • obtain a broad foundation in music composition across multiple genres, contexts and fields
  • explore the use of techniques and technologies involved in contemporary composition in a creative way
  • be able to analyse and think deeply about new musical composition and its role in a wider creative arts environment
  • develop understanding of the scope and limitations of music-related technologies and techniques as they apply to composition
  • engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration in the context of audiovisual and media practice
  • discover new creative uses of advanced technologies and compositional techniques
  • foster the ability to work cooperatively in groups in the context of composition.

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

ECA’s Student and Academic Support Service (SASS) supports students throughout their studies in all degree programmes at ECA.

You will have a dedicated Student Adviser, based within SASS, who is specially trained to support you during your studies. Your Student Adviser will be your first point of contact for any support, including questions about your studies or your well-being. Your Student Adviser can support you with:

  • personal or wellbeing issues that you are facing, including how to access specialist support
  • queries related to your programme, such as course enrolments, programme transfers and academic progression
  • applying for extensions and special circumstances
  • advice about how to take a break from your studies
  • registering with the Disability and Learning Support Service

Where you will study

Study location

Much of your teaching will take place in the University's Central Area. You will be based in the Reid School in Alison House.

The Reid School has access to a range of fabulous venues for creating, rehearsing and performing new music. The Reid Concert hall is a 19th Century 250-seat concert space with professional recording facilities attached.

The West Court is a large public art and performance venue ideal for experimental and new musical work.

The Wee Red Bar is a perfect venue for jazz, electronic and other forms of amplified music.

St Cecilia’s Hall is Scotland’s oldest concert hall and features an extraordinary collection of rare musical instruments and a unique acoustic.

ECA are excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston Campus over the next 3 years, from April 2024 to April 2027.

The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.

The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston Campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.

You can find more about the project at the below link:

Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston Campus | Edinburgh College of Art

Academic facilities

ECA is well-stocked with technical sound equipment and a wide range of hardware and software to assist the development of your learning and research.

Five production studios in stereo or 5.1 configurations are available in Alison House.

There are numerous labs and maker-spaces across the campus and various bookable spaces available for recording experiments and installations. There is also a bank of music practice rooms available in the basement of Alison House.

We have developed two 360-degree audio mixing spaces which are available for experiments in VR, AR, Dolby Atmos and ambisonics. Our studio cupboard is stocked with a wealth of microphones, location recorders, cameras, speakers, cables and VR equipment available for booking and flexible use.

The Reid School of Music is an All-Steinway School with 28 pianos available for performance and rehearsal across the campus.

Virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the Edinburgh College of Art and explore our facilities and campus with our virtual tour. 

Take a virtual tour of Edinburgh College of Art

Career opportunities

Graduates of the programme will have professional, practical, analytical and intellectual skills to take into music-related industries or on towards further academic study, such as a PhD.

The rich, cross-disciplinary programme of study we offer provides graduates with advanced skills in composing across formats and in a range of contexts from film and game music through to music for theatre and music for the concert hall, album, mobile phone or studio.

As a graduate of this programme you will feel empowered to take on commissions in professional compositional areas and to pursue your own creative path as an independent composer.

Graduates from our composition degrees are now working in the following industries:

  • theatre
  • radio
  • TV and video games
  • sound recording
  • live performance
  • gigging
  • singer-songwriting

And many are active on the global music scene as composers in residence with:

  • orchestras
  • ensembles
  • educational projects
  • other art spaces

Many are running successful music-related businesses around the world, and several have PhDs and are pursuing academic careers.

You will gain a wide variety of transferable skills, such as the ability to research and analyse music, structure and manage your time, work and communicate effectively as part of an arts production team. These skills will increase your employability across the arts and further afield.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Programme start date Application deadline
14 September 2026 29 June 2026

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts.

If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You do not need to provide a reference when you submit your application for this programme.

There may be certain circumstances when a reference will be required, for example if we need to verify work experience. If that is the case, we will contact you after we have reviewed your application to request a reference.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

What our students say

What is it really like to study here? Our students share their experiences on our social media. 

You can find out what a day in the life is like for an Edinburgh College of Art student, from late nights in the library to their favourite walks around the city! 

Instagram: Edinburgh College of Art 

Our community

At Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) we bring together creative practices that shape the world around us.

We deliver innovative teaching, research and public engagement in an inclusive and sustainable environment with outstanding services and facilities to support your ambitions.  

With degrees in Art, History of Art, Music, Architecture and Landscape Architecture, and Design, you’ll be joining a diverse community of artists, art historians, designers, academics, researchers, architects, landscape architects and musicians.  

ECA is a rich, textured, and inclusive learning environment. Diverse practices co-exist as the embodiments of an individual and collective pursuit of knowledge, for the betterment of humankind and our planet.   

Our approach is explicitly inclusive, future facing and interdisciplinary, embracing of bold innovation and continuous enhancement.  

Find out more about the Edinburgh College of Art community

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s dynamic cultural scene boasts the largest collection of historic buildings, museums, art galleries and theatres of any city in Scotland. 

The University of Edinburgh’s museums and galleries include:

  • the Talbot Rice Gallery
  • the Centre for Research Collections
  • St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room and Music Museum

Edinburgh is home to several major annual festivals, each bringing talent from around the world to our streets and stages, making the celebration of diversity an intrinsic part of the city’s culture. These include the:

  • Festival Fringe
  • Film Festival
  • Art Festival
  • Book Festival
  • Jazz and Blues Festival

Some of our students even participate in our annual festivals.

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply.

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office

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