Skip navigation
Music and Sonic Media at University of Sussex - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 20252025 - 2026
Apply

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

About the course Develop your creative abilities in composition and sound through practical and theoretical work. Explore theory and practice in the field of music production. You’ll focus on historical contexts and the development of advanced technical skills. Our MA reflects current developments in and beyond the concert hall, including music for film, media and interactive arts. You will:

  • compose
  • make sound art
  • devise music theatre
  • use music technologies
  • create film music
  • evaluate music and sonic art.
The course is for composers, musicians, sound artists, sound and music practitioners from related fields including theatre, and theorists with interests in music and sound. The Department of Music is a major international centre for the study of contemporary music, contemporary musical thinking and music theatre. You’ll have access to specialist facilities including:
  • the Music Department’s recordings and scores collections
  • the Music Mac Lab
  • three professionally equipped recording studios
  • recital room and practice rooms.
We offer a unique range of inter-related research disciplines. We have expertise in areas from opera and music theatre to composition. This allows you to develop an integrated portfolio of work corresponding to your strengths and interests. About Sussex Our courses, research, culture and campus aim to stimulate, excite and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead. And today, in every part of society and across the world, you'll find someone from Sussex making an original and valuable contribution. Location Study on our beautiful, green campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park and just minutes from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton & Hove. We’re near to Gatwick airport and just over an hour from London.

Modules

Please check our website in January 2025 for the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.

How to apply

International applicants

Information about our tuition fees, funding options and scholarships for UK and international students is available on our website. Find out more here: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding

Entry requirements

You should normally have an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above. Your qualification should be in music, theatre, sonic arts or audio-visual media. You’ll also be considered for this course if you have relevant professional experience. Since much of the practical work on different modules involves your own creative and/or compositional engagement with the topics covered, you should include a short composition portfolio with your application. This is composition interpreted broadly (i.e. it does not have to be 'traditional' notated composition): it could be songs, tracks you have produced, movie soundtracks, performances of your own compositions, a score. etc. The portfolio should demonstrate your ability to create music, audio or other sonic media. You can submit in a variety of formats: links to tracks on Soundcloud, Youtube, MP3s, scores, etc.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Information about our tuition fees, funding options and scholarships for UK and international students is available on our website. Find out more here: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding

Sponsorship information

Our goal is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to regardless of financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique people. Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26.

Music and Sonic Media at University of Sussex - UCAS