Film Music and Multimedia Studies MA
Course overview
This course is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to focus their MA degree on the critical study of film music and/or other forms of musical multimedia, including television music and music videos. It enables students to benefit from a variety of teaching modules offered in this field, leading ultimately to a dissertation undertaken on a topic of their choosing. Available teaching ranges from lectures giving students a thorough grounding in studies of musical multimedia, to critical engagement with key literature in group tutorials, to a practice-based module.
With its blend of classroom teaching and individually-supervised research, this programme caters for students seeking to expand their knowledge in the area of musical multimedia as well as providing ideal training for those wishing to proceed to a research degree in the field. Students on this pathway receive the award of PGDip/MA in Film Music and Multimedia Studies. Alternatively, they may opt to receive the award of MA in Music Studies.
For further information about this programme, please click on the tabs above.
Course content
Approaches to Music Studies
This module is delivered weekly over two terms, and provides an education in many aspects of recent musical thought and scholarship, as well as tuition in research methods, writing and presentation skills. For more information, click here.
Optional modules
Students take two of the following modules:
- Critical Readings | This module takes a close look at important scholarly literature on musical multimedia, through a series of group tutorials. It fosters a critical awareness of current issues in the field of film music and multimedia, and aims to equip students with the tools they need to critically evaluate current research and methodologies.
- Special Project | This module enables students to undertake a specialised independent project associated with their topic of study. Examples of possible projects include: community or professional project; fieldwork project; producing a radio programme; a detailed musicological analysis in liaison with a practising musician(s), and so on. Projects will normally involve some element of ‘applied’ musicology, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge gained elsewhere on the course to a specific case study.
- Taught Module | Students who wish to extend their understanding of a specific aspect of their chosen field may opt to pursue studies in musicology, ethnomusicology or composition alongside final-year undergraduates. Supplementary supervision leads to an assessed research project or composition portfolio specifically directed towards study at postgraduate level. For a full list of the modules available, together with their descriptions, click here. Students may take up to two different taught modules as their optional modules.
Dissertation
Students work throughout the programme towards a research dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words (6,000-7,500 words for the PGDip) on a topic related to some aspect of film music or multimedia studies, guided through the tutorial support of a supervisor. They also give a presentation towards the end of Spring term on their dissertation work in progress.
Teaching and assessment
The coursework assignments associated with the modules described in the Course Content section aim to deepen students’ understanding of concepts discussed in lectures and seminars, and to develop methodological and writing skills. In addition, throughout the programme, students concentrate on research on a topic of their choice in the context of the dissertation (120 credits, or 60 credits for the PGDip), which is supported by one-to-one tutorials with a specialist in the area of study. Prior to the spring vacation a series of presentation seminars is held, in which students present and discuss their dissertation work in progress.
Employment
The Times Good University Guide 2008 lists City University London as second in the UK for music graduate employment prospects, behind only Cambridge and ahead of all but the graduates of the top three business studies degrees.
City's unique approach to music education means that you can immerse yourself in the subject you love at the highest possible level while still preparing yourself for the job market:
- Our degree structure enables you to explore a range of music-related careers, including optional modules in sound recording, multimedia authoring and music therapy
- City's Central London location provides a host of employment, volunteering and networking opporutunities, and we support those who wish to take up such opportunities during the course
- Writing skills, presentation skills and IT skills are fostered throughout the programme, equipping you for a range of graduate-level careers
Music MA alumni have gone on to teach, compose and perform music in a wide variety of settings, and are also employed in music publishing, broadcasting, music management, arts administration, music retailing and further musical study at MPhil or PhD level.
How to apply
You may apply either in hard copy or online. To apply online, please follow the links below. Please contact the Department of Music for a paper copy of the application form, or download a pdf version here (pdf).
Your application must include:
- One application form. Please either complete the form online, or post a completed paper copy of your application
- Two references (one of which should be an academic reference). Either supply your referees' details on the online application form, or (if applying in hard copy) post the references to us with your application or arrange for your referees to forward them to us
- Details of courses taken at undergraduate level
- A copy of your degree certificate (if applicable). This must be sent to us by post
- Two possible dissertation topics, giving an outline of each
- An example of written work on a musical subject (in English)
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Entry requirements
Applicants will normally hold a good honours degree in music or another discipline related to musical multimedia (such as media studies), or an equivalent qualification. Prior research in the area is desirable, but not essential. You are required to submit an extended piece of writing, preferably on a musical subject, in order to provide evidence of writing skills and intellectual ability appropriate for musicological study at MA level.
For those students whose first language is not English, one of the following qualifications (or equivalent standard) is also required:
- IELTS: minimum well-balanced score of 6.5 across all areas
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: minimum acceptable grade C
- TOEFL (internet-based): a score of at least 100
Fees & bursaries
EU and International Students – an opportunity to take advantage of favourable exchange rates
The exchange rate between sterling and other currencies has moved several times over the past year. At the moment, it is cheaper to buy sterling than it has been for some time. If you wish to take advantage of the current exchange rate and not risk the rate moving against you later in the year, then you may pay your fees early, provided you are in receipt of an unconditional offer from the University.
Please note, that once you have paid your fees, we may not be able to refund these if you subsequently do not start your course at City University London, nor can you take advantage of more favourable exchange rates, should those occur later in the year.
- See more information on how to pay at http://www.city.ac.uk/finance/student_info/payingfees.html
Fees 2010/11
Full time: £3,800 (UK/EU students); £9,950 (non-UK/EU students)
Part time: £1,900* (UK/EU students); £5,100* (non-UK/EU students)
* fee for the first year of the two-year MA. There is a small percentage increase in the second year fee.
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