Music and Sonic Media MA

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.

Check out a showcase of our Music students’ work

Degree requirementsBachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/5.0 or 2.8/4.0.Subject-specific requirementsYour 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.Please noteOur entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

IELTS (Academic)

Standard level (6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about IELTS

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

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