Music

The Music programme at the University of Surrey is ranked second in the UK by the Guardian University Guide. Academic members of staff are well known internationally for their exceptionally strong research profiles.

The University of Surrey is highly respected authority in musical research and sound technology. Thanks to the renowned expertise in musicology, performance, and composition, and the prestige of the Institute of Sound Recording, Surrey can count many household names in entertainment, audio technology and the recording industry among our partners, collaborators, and alumni.

Career opportunities

Our research degrees prepare you for success at each stage of your PhD project development. The structure of the Music PhD is designed to provide intensive graduate preparation for a future career and is suitable for either part-time or full-time candidates.As a postgraduate researcher, you will conduct a research project within one of Surrey’s areas of research strengths. Completion of the programme entails submission of a thesis, the submission of practice if undertaking a practice-based PhD, and an oral viva with external examiners.PhD students can expect three levels of research training: university-level, department-level and subject-specific.University-level training is provided by the Postgraduate Skills Development Programme and the University Library including a PhD induction, workshops on writing skills and preparation for the confirmation and viva. There is also an annual student-led University postgraduate conference.Department-level training is offered in the form of interdisciplinary seminars, reading groups, visiting speaker events and conferences.You will also receive subject-specific training that will vary depending on your programme.

Research themes

• Composition

• 20th-century concert music, especially Mahler and 20th-century English composers

• Performance studies and techniques

• Guitar history, practice, and composition

• Popular music styles, particularly rock, jazz, electronic dance music

• Analysis

• Aesthetics of sound and music

• Contemporary music and its composition and performance

• Critical musicology

• Music for screen

• Biography

• Improvisation.