PhD (Music Composition)
Course Overview
A candidate undertaking the PhD in Music Composition is required to submit a composition folio consisting of both musical scores and sound recordings. The overall duration of the sound recordings would normally be between 50–80 minutes, although in some cases it may deviate considerably from this range. Candidates are to present at least 50% of the music submitted in their folio in public concerts. A critical commentary of between 20,000–25,000 words must accompany the folio.
Entry Requirements
The minimum qualifications for admission to PhD candidature are:
- a four year Australian or New Zealand bachelors degree with an overall result of H2A or above (normally with a research component in the fourth year) or
- an Australian or New Zealand masters preliminary qualification with a significant research component and with an overall result of H2A or above or
- an Australian or New Zealand coursework masters degree with a significant research component graded at Distinction or above, and an overall result of H2A or above or
- an Australian or New Zealand research masters degree with an overall result of H2A or above or
- a qualification considered equivalent to one of the above (a minimum of a Bachelors degree with substantial professional experience in the field in the form of publications, performances and collaborations that may be evaluated by a group of peers who are experts in their respective fields).
Note: If applicants have obtained the above minimum qualifications without having undertaken composition units at either honours or masters qualifying levels, applicants need to demonstrate their ability to compose through the submission of at least two original musical works to the satisfaction of the school's coordinator of composition.
An explanation of the grades H2A (70+) and Distinction is available from the Monash University Grading Scale Policy.
If you apply as an International Student, you will also need to check the following pages:
Applying
All applicants must submit evidence of practical work in the field in a portfolio which will include the following:
- A representative selection of the candidate's music performance work/music composition work in the style in which the candidate proposes to work (i.e. classical, contemporary classical, jazz, popular music, world music, computer music).
- A research proposal of 2-3 pages addressing the following headings:
- Research question
- Background to the research
- Aims of the research
- Methodologies of the research
- Examples of comparative practice as research and associated literature
- Proposed structure of the performance project.
- A covering letter explaining the candidate's interest in the degree and a CV outlining the candidate's professional interests, previous performance projects, and publication if any.
Note that work submitted in the portfolio for admission may not be part of the work submitted for examination.
See the How to Apply for an Arts PhD page.
Auditions
For further information about Audition requirements, please visit this link.