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Postgraduate Programmes, Research Degrees
Research Degrees
(Picture: Photo of Postgraduate tutors David Gorton PhD, MMus, BA (Research Co-ordinator) and Sarah Callis PhD, BA, Hon ARAM)
The Academy offers two-year MPhil and three-year PhD awards. Although offered under the regulations of the University of London, and concentrating primarily on academic work, both programmes ensure their distinctiveness by being based on the same premise as all other Academy degrees: of students reflecting the highest possible practical standards.
MPhil/PhD
Teaching Delivery
Students are allocated 30 hours of supervision per year. They may apply for a further year to complete or ‘write up’ their portfolio or dissertation at a reduced rate. Supervision hours are divided between academic and practical supervision as negotiated with the Research Degrees Board and the student’s principal supervisor. The closing date for receipt of applications (MPhil in the first instance, with transfer to PhD usually taking place in the second year of study) is 7th January 2008.
MPhil/PhD in Performance Practice
Aims and Objectives
The research degree in Performance Practice is designed to encourage postgraduate performers to engage in the academic disciplines of performance research at the highest level. Such involvement and training will help already experienced performers to exert an enhanced leadership within the musical profession, and within higher education institutions specialising in performance study. The programme is specifically designed to encourage the development of new methodologies, new insights, and new knowledge within performance research.
Learning Outcomes
Students will have demonstrated their ability to carry through an original academic thesis on issues relating to performance research, and to illustrate the research outcomes through their own performances as well as through a written dissertation. They will thus have developed their own critical model for linking the academic and practical outcomes of their enquiry, and the skills to present their conclusions convincingly.
Entry
On application students submit a detailed research proposal of around 2000 words outlining the thesis they wish to pursue and the methodologies that would support it (including the proposed method of linking academic to practical research outcomes).
The proposal should suggest how the thesis will contribute to the current disciplines of performance research and to the student’s own development as a performer. They also submit evidence of their standards of written and practical work, both of which will be considered at their entrance interview.
Assessment
As a final assessment students submit a written thesis of 30,000 words (MPhil) or 50,000 words (PhD), which is usually expected to include performance documentation of various kinds.
Supporting Studies
Research students attend and take part in doctoral seminars and performance research seminars held in the York Gate Collections.
MPhil/PhD in Composition
Aims and Objectives
The MPhil/PhD Programme in Composition is designed to encourage postgraduate composers to pursue their artistic development to the highest possible level and reflect critically upon the significance of their compositional activity through analytical exploration and through collaborative work in a performance environment. Such intensive and wide-ranging study will allow students to extend their scope and effectiveness as composers, while offering them a training relevant to the task of teaching or lecturing in composition.
Learning Outcomes
Students will have demonstrated originality and coherence of musical invention across a substantial portfolio of compositions, as well as a command of existing musical techniques. They will be able to offer a convincing written account of the compositional, and in some cases performance, processes involved in producing their portfolio of scores and recordings. They will also have learned how to provide a written critique of their work using academically recognised analytical techniques.
Entry
On application, students submit a detailed research proposal of around 2000 words outlining the planned content of their portfolio (including any plans for collaborative work) and the analytical and critical questions to be addressed in the accompanying written component. They also submit evidence of their standards of compositional and written work, both of which will be considered at their entrance interview.
Assessment
As a final assessment, students submit a portfolio of compositions of around 45 minutes (for the award of an MPhil) or 60 minutes (for the PhD). The portfolio is linked to a written dissertation of 15,000 words (MPhil) or 25,000 words (PhD), which must show a coherent and well-presented argument, confirming the candidate’s grasp of academic analytical discourse, as well as an ability to reflect critically upon his/her own compositional activity.
Supporting Studies
Research students attend and take part in doctoral seminars, composition research seminars and the Composer Performer Exchange.
‘Illuminating thoughts and perceptive suggestions for the student singers and accompanists bubbling out like a fountain, dialogue that was never in the least intimidating’
Musicalpointers March 2005
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