Popular Music Practice PhD

University of Sussex

United Kingdom, Brighton

University RankQS Ranking

247

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University of Sussex

United Kingdom , Brighton

Key Facts

Program Level

PhD (Philosophy Doctorate)

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 23,500 / year

Next Intake September-2026

Popular Music Practice PhD

About

Are you interested in researching and interrogating the languages and performance styles of popular music?

Studying for a Popular Music Practice PhD, you’ll produce a portfolio of original music in the form of creative work. Through methods of composition and performance, your creative work will critique and advance popular music practices. You’ll write a 20,000-40,000-word dissertation demonstrating original research. Your dissertation will highlight ways in which your practice makes a substantial contribution to knowledge or understanding in your chosen field, and acknowledge existing scholarship and artistic practices.

You’ll have access to the latest tools in software and hardware in the Jonathan Harvey Electronic Music Studio at the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts. Other specialist facilities include rare 20th-century music scores, and unique collections of jazz and music television documentaries.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Subject-specific requirementsYour qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience.Please noteOur entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

English Program Requirements

IELTS (Academic)

High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 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