Master of Music (MMus)

The King's MMus draws students from many countries, attracted by the rigorous training it offers and by the reputation of its graduates. The Department accepts only outstanding candidates, and aims to nurture leaders in the fields of historical and analytical musicology, performance practice and composition.
 
The MMus programme is offered as a modular degree, taught over two semesters of eleven and ten weeks respectively, with a further six-week summer period in residence. Final assessment for the MMus is based on 180 credits at Level 7; modules are offered at 20, 40 and 60 credits, and are grouped into fields as shown below.
Candidates must select either the Historical & Analytical Musicology or Composition pathway, and take 80 credits within that pathway. Candidates must take a further 40 credits’ worth of modules from within the MMus, or from another department within the School of Arts & Humanities. In exceptional cases it may be possible to take modules outside the School. You will only be accepted on modules outside your main field if you have appropriate expertise: this applies mainly to courses in composition, for which you will have to show that you are already composing at an appropriate level. The final 60 credits is your Special Study (dissertation or portfolio).
 

All modules are normally examined by course-work. Coursework worth 120 credits and the 60-credit Special Study are all due by mid-September. Results are published following the meeting of the School Board of Examiners in late November/early December.

A complete draft of any coursework is usually due six weeks after the end of the semester in which the module has taken place. Module leaders will make every effort to provide constructive suggestions for improving the work within four weeks of submission. A detailed list of submission dates will be available at the start of the year. Failure to submit drafts on time will trigger a formal meeting with the Director of Graduate Studies to
discuss progress.

Part-time students submit final versions of all coursework at the end of their second year.

All modules are worth 20 credits unless otherwise stated. Click on titles for module details and reading lists.
 
Historical & Analytical Musicology
7AAMM007 Issues in Biography and Criticism (Cliff Eisen)
7AAMM008 Theories of Modernism and the Avant-Garde (John Deathridge)
7AAMM009 Issues in Historiography and Criticism (Andy Fry)
7AAMM010 Performance, Gesture and Meaning (Daniel Leech-Wilkinson)
7AAMM013 21st-Century Bach (Bettina Varwig)
7AAMM034 Post-tonal Music and Composition Theory (Arnold Whittall)
7AAMM035 Advanced Opera Study (Roger Parker)
7AAMM056 Advanced Studies in Musical Analysis & Criticism: Beethoven's Late Works (Michael Fend)


Composition
7AAMM051 Introduction to Free Composition Studies (40 credits) (Rob Keeley, George Benjamin, Silvina Milstein*)
7AAMM052 Composing for Large Ensemble or Orchestra (40 credits) (Rob Keeley, George Benjamin, Silvina Milstein*)
*on leave in 2010-11
 
Special Study (60 credits)
7AAMM001 Historical Musicology
7AAMM050 Composition
 
MMus modules 2009/10
MMus modules 2008/9 
MMus modules 2007/8
MMus modules 2006/7

Musicology applicants should feel free to discuss their plans with the Acting Director of Graduate Studies in Music, Andy Fry. For composition enquiries, please contact Silvina Milstein. For administrative enquiries, please contact the Centre for Arts & Sciences Admissions.
 
To apply, follow the link below to the online application system. Applications should be accompanied by a sample of appropriate and recent written work. Please note that there are different application procedures for Musicology and Composition pathways:

• Applicants for the Musicology pathway should upload a recent essay or dissertation to the Admissions Portal.
   
• Applicants in Composition should send samples of recent compositions, accompanied by recordings of the works if available, by post to this address:
  
  Music Department (FAO Naomi Bignell)
  King's College London
  Strand
  WC2R 2LS 
  UK
  
   
• Please make clear in the first sentence of your personal statement which pathway you wish to apply for.

 
Applications are normally considered within four weeks of receipt of references and written work. They are seen by at least two members of the teaching staff; candidates may be called for interview or (for overseas candidates) interviewed by phone or email. 
 
The application deadline for Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding has now passed.
 
The deadline for applications is 1 July, though late applications may be considered.
 
International applicants should be aware of the School of Humanities MA International Studentships.
 
Link to online application system
Link to AHRC competition information
Link to MA International Studentships
Link to Graduate School Funding Database
Link to Graduate School funding 2010-11