Music

Why study with us

Challenge yourself academically and musically while studying in our dynamic School of Music. Our degree offers excellent professional preparation, providing you with the tools you need to succeed after graduation.

Research excellence

90% of our research environment is considered conducive to producing world-leading or internationally excellent research (REF 2021).

Work with professional musicians

Workshops, masterclasses and seminars are given by visiting composers, musicologists and performers.

Specialist pathways

Tailor your studies to your career aspirations, choosing from Performance, Composition or Music Studies.

Music (MA)

Full time, Part time

Challenge yourself academically and musically while tailoring the programme to meet your ambitions for the future.

Composition (PhD, MPhil)

Full-time, part-time

To offer knowledge and expertise for a career in professional music composition.

Music (PhD, MPhil)

Full-time, part-time

You may specialise in composition, musicology or performance, presenting work in one of three different formats: a thesis, a portfolio of compositions with commentary, or a performance recital with supporting thesis.

Musicology (PhD, MPhil)

Full-time, part-time

To offer knowledge and expertise for a career in higher education and writing about music.

Performance (PhD, MPhil)

Full-time, part-time

To offer knowledge and expertise for to pursue further research, teaching, and professional performance.

Our videos

The School of Music

Our staff and students explain why the School of Music is such a great place to study.

Following the Music Studies pathway, I particularly enjoyed meeting with Performance and Composition students at our weekly Postgraduate Forum to discuss our personal areas of study. During my degree, I played with the University Symphony and Chamber Orchestras as well as in small ensembles, performing in locations including the University’s concert hall, St David’s Hall and Brangwyn Hall. There were also lots of great concerts to attend, both in the School and around the city. I particularly appreciated being able to attend the dress rehearsals of the Welsh National Opera for free.

Thomas Pitt MA Music

Learn more about us

Cardiff is a musical city

Cardiff is home to the Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and a major BBC production centre. The city has many live music venues, from the world-class Wales Millennium Centre to small, independent spots.

Research excellence

We are ranked 2nd among UK university music departments for the quality of our research environment (REF 2014).

Master’s degree in Music

Our master’s degree in Music offers both practical and lecture-based learning which will challenge you both musically and academically. You can tailor your studies to your career goals and ambitions, choosing to study a pathway in Composition, Performance or Music Studies.

Postgraduate research opportunities

Our PhD programmes will help you improve your skills as a composer, performer or musicologist. You’ll have the freedom to investigate your chosen specialism in depth, attending conferences, workshops and masterclasses while also working with researchers, composers and performers.

Rigorous musical training within a lively and imaginative liberal arts environment

In our purpose-built building we have all the facilities you need to succeed in your studies. We have lecture theatres with modern lecture-capture technology, seminar rooms, more than 25 practice rooms, ensemble rooms, electro-acoustic studios and a 250-seat concert hall.