Queen's University Belfast

Music PhD

Queen's University BelfastBelfast, United Kingdom

Course overview

SARC: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Sound and Music is established as a broad research environment supporting work in all areas of sound and music. The PhD programme ranges from thesis focused to creative practice portfolio, with options for hybrid models combining practice and theory. Areas of research include: historical and critical musicology, sound studies, composition, socially engaged arts, performance studies, improvisation, interaction design, instrument design, audio signal processing, immersive sound and psychoacoustics.

SARC membership includes over forty academics from across various Schools in the University including the School of Arts English and Languages, School of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics and the School of Natural and Built Environment. As a dynamic and international community of researchers, SARC hosts regular events with invited scholars, researchers and artists. The PhD cohort is core to the research culture and includes over thirty students from various backgrounds and nationalities.

Mode of study/duration Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Key highlights

  • Thesis, creative practice portfolio or hybrid practice-theory PhD routes
  • Research spans musicology, composition, improvisation, sound studies and psychoacoustics
  • Specialisms include instrument design, audio signal processing and immersive sound
  • Over forty interdisciplinary academics from psychology, history, social sciences and more
  • Regular events with invited scholars, researchers and artists
  • International cohort of over thirty PhD researchers

Entry requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 — 6.5 IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is require

Scholarships

  • International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship

    Year one award of between £2000 and £5000.

    Up to £2,000
  • The Burdett Trust MSc Nursing Scholarships

    For Home Students: Tuition fees £7,665 Stipend £10,250. For International Students: Tuition fees £24,295 Stipend £17,000

  • Vice Chancellor’s International Attainment Scholarship - Postgraduate Taught

    Value: 50% of tuition fees paid for up to a maximum of two years.

    Up to 50% of fees

Careers this course leads to

  • University lecturer in music
  • Postdoctoral researcher
  • Composer
  • Sound designer
  • Audio software developer
  • Music performer

Cost of study

UK/Home: £5,238 | International: £22,500

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Queen's University Belfast, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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