Our Master of Music curriculum offers three distinct paths:
Artistic Research (Full Thesis Course):
This program is designed for emerging practitioners who are already experienced but seek to broaden their skillset and perspectives through guided coursework. Over two years, you will develop and realise an in-depth project, supported by our expert faculty, vibrant creative community, and access to state-of-the-art facilities.
Artistic Research (Individual Studies): This program is designed for practitioners seeking to develop their artistic practice while exploring new possibilities with the guidance and support of our team. The process culminates in a portfolio of works that showcases your growth and reflections, without requiring a central research thesis.
Artistic Research (Thesis Only): This program is tailored for independent professionals seeking to refine and focus their artistic vision through the development of an in-depth artistic project, guided by our team of experts
Program Description
STUDY PROGRAMS
This two-year program is designed for autonomous professionals seeking to pursue creative research projects, supporting their artistic and academic growth through guidance and community engagement while accommodating their professional commitments.
Outcome:
The final thesis combines an in-depth applied research project with significant creative outputs, using artistic mediums to convey the research’s core ideas and explore musical experience as academic inquiry. The thesis includes a portfolio of creative work—such as compositions, performances, or installations—paired with a written text of 20,000–35,000 words, with its format tailored to the project’s needs.
Entry Requirements:
- Portfolio: Showcasing your previous achievements in your proposed field.
- At least two essays: Relevant to your area of research.
- Research Project Proposal: Clearly defining your research questions and the scope of the projected outcome.
Semester Plan: Total 36 credits
|
Semester 1 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 210 201 | Seminar 1 | 0 credits |
| 213 100 | Qualifying Examination | 0 credits |
| 213 102 | Thesis | 6 credits |
|
Semester 2 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 210 202 | Seminar 2 | 0 credits |
| 213 102 | Thesis | 6 credits |
|
Semester 3 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 210 203 | Seminar 3 | 0 credits |
| 213 104 | Thesis | 12 credits |
|
Semester 4 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 210 204 | Public Presentation | 0 credits |
| 213 104 | Thesis | 12 credits |
This two-year program helps students develop their artistic practice and research through a focused applied project, combining personalised guidance, courses, and seminars. It balances academic coursework with creative work, enabling students to connect theory with practice and create a cohesive artistic project.
Outcome:
The final thesis includes a portfolio of works—such as performances, compositions, or installations—accompanied by a 15,000 to 20,000-word text. The creative outputs must convey the research’s core ideas, highlight musical experiences as academic inquiry, and reflect insights from coursework.
Entry Requirements:
- Portfolio: Showcasing your previous achievements in your proposed field.
- One Essay: Relevant to the proposed area of research.
- A Written Proposal: Summarising the student’s motivation, inspiration as well as the proposed area of research.
Semester Plan: Total 36 credits
|
Semester 1 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 210 101 | Notation Literacy and Interpretation | 3 credits |
| 210 102 | Philosophy, Cultures and Aesthetics | 3 credits |
| 210 201 | Seminar 1 | 0 credits |
| 211 201 | Master Music Skills 1 | 3 credits |
| 213 100 | Qualifying Examination | 0 credits |
|
Semester 2 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 210 103 | Interdisciplinary Studies in Music | 3 credits |
| 210 202 | Seminar 2 | 0 credits |
| 211 202 | Master Music Skills 2 | 3 credits |
| 212 XXX | Elective 1 | 2 credits |
| 212 XXX | Elective 2 | 2 credits |
|
Semester 3 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 210 203 | Seminar 3 | 0 credits |
| 211 203 | Master Music Skills 3 | 3 credits |
| 212 XXX | Elective 3 | 2 credits |
| 213 101 | Thesis | 3 credits |
|
Semester 4 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 210 204 | Public Presentation | 0 credits |
| 213 103 | Thesis | 9 credits |
This two-year program helps students develop their artistic practice and research through personalized tutorials, courses, and seminars, focusing on areas like composition, performance, or curating music installations. It allows flexibility to combine coursework with creative projects, culminating in artistic works grounded in research, with reflective analysis instead of a traditional thesis.
Outcome:
The individual study culminates in a set of creative works (performance, installation, or compositions) grounded in artistic research with accompanying reflections.
Entry Requirements:
- Portfolio: Showcasing your previous achievements in your proposed field.
- One Essay: Relevant to the proposed area of research.
- A Written Proposal: Summarising the student’s motivation, inspiration as well as the proposed area of research.
Semester Plan: Total 36 credits
|
Semester 1 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 210 101 | Notation Literacy and Interpretation | 3 credits |
| 210 102 | Philosophy, Cultures and Aesthetics | 3 credits |
| 210 201 | Seminar 1 | 0 credits |
| 211 201 | Master Music Skills 1 | 3 credits |
|
Semester 2 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 210 103 | Interdisciplinary Studies in Music | 3 credits |
| 210 202 | Seminar 2 | 0 credits |
| 211 202 | Master Music Skills 2 | 3 credits |
| 212 XXX | Elective 1 | 2 credits |
| 212 XXX | Elective 2 | 2 credits |
| 213 200 | Comprehensive Examination | 0 credits |
|
Semester 3 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 210 203 | Seminar 3 | 0 credits |
| 211 203 | Master Music Skills 3 | 3 credits |
| 212 XXX | Elective 3 | 2 credits |
| 212 XXX | Elective 4 | 2 credits |
| 213 201 | Independent Study | 3 credits |
|
Semester 4 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 210 204 | Public Presentation | 0 credits |
| 212 XXX | Elective 5 | 2 credits |
| 212 XXX | Elective 6 | 2 credits |
| 213 201 | Independent Study | 3 credits |
We provide elective courses on a variety of topics:
212 101 Music Analysis
212 102 Performance Practice
212 103 Asian & World Music
212 104 Music Pedagogy
212 105 Music Improvisation
212 106 Music and Visual Media
212 107 Music, Interactive Designs and Sonic Arts
212 108 Music, Society and Well Being
212 109 Project Design and Curation
212 110 Selected Topic in Music
212 111 International Perspective in Music
All students are required to engage with the public through mediums relevant to their artistic expression. These may include public performances, site-specific installations, documentaries, workshops, podcasts, and online media.