MA in Composition of Music for Film and Television (MACMFTV)

Success as a media composer calls both for adaptability and for developing an individual voice. When you apply to our programme, you will already demonstrate achievements as a composer. You’ll have some knowledge of music theory and staff notation — but your experience may be focused in classical music for instruments and voices, jazz, studio-produced music such as pop, rock or electronica, or other musical forms. You’ll build on that. Our students learn from each other and from our balanced course content.

All students on the MACMFTV take mandatory units covering studio recording, digital instrumentation, mixing and production; technical, conceptual and creative skills in scoring for linear film and television forms such as drama, documentary, and production music; and creation of music for games and other non-linear media. Up to date perspectives on professional practice and the business are introduced at many points.

Option units allow you to build your knowledge in areas such as writing for orchestra, critical analysis of media music, or composing concert music for live performers.

Collaboration is essential in the media industry. To help you build this skill, we curate a wide range of partnerships and opportunities for collaborative projects. Our established relationships currently include filmmakers in the Department of Film and Television, and games design teams in Computer Science, at the University of Bristol; animators and wildlife filmmakers at the University of the West of England; professional producers at the BBC Natural History Unit; and a growing roster of links beyond Bristol. Many of these projects will become part of your final dissertation-equivalent portfolio. We encourage you also to develop your own networks and opportunities.

The Department of Music is the hub of music-making across the University. You can take part for the pleasure of learning and performing together, and you’ll find skilled players and singers to work with in your creative projects

Main features

• Teaching by industry professionals and academic experts.
• Core units build the techniques, knowledge and understanding to compose for today’s screen media.
• Option units broaden and deepen your musical skills.
• Workshops with professional and student ensembles.
• A wide range of collaborative opportunities, and support to build your own.
• MA Dissertation is a portfolio of screen works that you have scored.

More information about MA in Composition of Music for Film and Television

Read more about:

• Application portfolio requirements
• Studios and facilities

Other options for taught postgraduate study in Music:

The MA in Music has five pathways:

• Musicology pathway
• Medieval Music pathway
• Russian Music pathway
• Composition pathway
• Performance pathway