Teaching & modules
Modules
Required modules
Music Studies Specialism. You are required to take:
Composition Specialism. You are required to take
Performance Specialism. You are required to take:
Optional Modules
Music Studies Specialism
In addition to the Compulsory Modules for Music Studies, you are required to take 60 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:
- Topics in Music Research (15 credits)
- Topics in Music of the 20th-21st Centuries (15 credits)
- Orchestration (15 credits)
- Topics in Jazz and Popular Music (15 credits)
- Topics in Music Theory and Aesthetics (15 credits)
- Topics in Eighteenth Century Music (15 credits)
- Topics in Opera (15 credits)
- Global Histories of Music (15 credits)
- Topics in Nineteenth Century Music (15 credits)
- Topics in Music before 1700 (15 credits)
- Regional Studies in Music Research (15 credits)
Or from the Composition Specialism:
Or from the Performance Specialism:
Composition Specialism
In addition to the Compulsory Modules for Composition, you are required to take 30 credits from the postgraduate Music Studies modules, such as those listed above; from Master’s modules offered across the Faculty of Arts & Humanities; or from MMus modules (excluding performance and composition) offered by the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
Performance Specialism
In addition to the Compulsory Modules for Performance, you are required to take 30 credits from the postgraduate Music Studies modules, such as those listed above; from Master’s modules offered across the Faculty of Arts & Humanities; or from MMus modules (excluding performance and composition) offered by the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
Part-Time Students: Part-time students have some flexibility in how they divide their studies across the two years, but at least half of the optional modules required for the degree should usually be taken in the first year of the programme.
Music Studies: 180 credits earned through:
-
Year 1: 60 credits of compulsory modules (two 30 credit modules) and 30 credits from a list of optional modules available in the Department;
-
Year 2: 60 credit Special Study compulsory module and 30 credits from a list of optional modules available in the Department.
-
Part time students on the Music Studies specialism may choose to take either Introduction to Contemporary Composition from the Composition specialism, or Creative Practice Portfolio from the Performance specialism, as an optional module in Year 1 and 15 credits of optional modules in Year 2, instead of 30 credits of optional modules in Year 1 and 30 credits of optional modules in Year 2.
Composition: 180 credits earned through:
-
Year 1: 90 credits of compulsory modules (two 45 credit modules) and 15 credits from a list of optional modules available in the Department;
-
Year 2: 60 credit Special Study compulsory module and 15 credits from a list of optional modules available in the Department.
-
Part time students on the Composition specialism may choose to take Approaches in Music Research 1 as an optional module in Year 1, instead of 15 credits of optional modules in Year 1 and 15 credits of optional modules in Year 2.
Performance: 180 credits earned through:
-
Year 1: 90 credits of compulsory modules (two 45 credit modules) and 15 credits from a list of optional modules available in the Department;
-
Year 2: 60 credit Special Study compulsory module and 15 credits from a list of optional modules available in the Department.
-
Part time students on the Performance specialism may choose to take Approaches in Music Research 1 as an optional module in Year 1, instead of 15 credits of optional modules in Year 1 and 15 credits of optional modules in Year 2.
Across all specialisms, students may, subject to the approval of the Programme Convenor, take up to 30 credits of optional modules within their 180 credit total in other departments in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, in the SOAS Music Department, in other Faculties of King’s College (including King's Language Centre), or at other University of London institutions (in the latter two cases, additional fees may be payable).
Teaching methods - what to expect
If you are studying the Music Studies Specialism, we will give you six to eight hours of teaching each week (if you are a part-time student, three to four hours) through seminars, and we will expect you to undertake 24 hours of self-study (12 hours for part-time).
If you are studying the Composition Specialism, we will give you an average of four hours of teaching each week (two hours if you are a part-time student) through seminars and one-to-one teaching, and we will expect you to undertake 26 hours of self-study (13 hours for part-time).
If you are studying the Performance Specialism, we will give you an average of five hours of teaching each week (two to three hours if you are a part-time student) through seminars and one-to-one teaching, and we will expect you to undertake 25 hours of self-study (12.5 hours for part-time).
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Written/practical examinations
Depending on specialism, you will be assessed through written coursework and/or practical examinations. Forms of assessment for Music Studies will typically include coursework essays and formative class presentations. For the Composition specialism, assessment will include the composition of musical works, while for Performers assessment will include performance recitals and participation in lessons.