Course overview

UCA's Master's degree in Composition for Screen will give you the skills and knowledge you'll need to become an accomplished composer for film, television and other digital media.

Taught by experienced staff still working in industry and guest composers from the professional world, you will develop a strong technological foundation in the subject, along with specialist understanding of game, animation, television and film scoring.

The degree is taught within our industry-standard recording studios, supported by specialist technicians. You will be actively encouraged to build collaborative opportunities and networks at UCA for projects in film, animation, game, documentary and more.

In the first term, you will study units introducing you to working and recording in studios, and the core skills of film and animation scoring. In the second term, the programme moves onto the critical analysis of media music, and media composition practice including game, TV and documentary. This work feeds into original collaborations that you may choose to include in your final portfolio.

Please note, the MMus course is suspended for September 2023 entry.

Course entry options

Select from the options below to find out more about the different study options available for this course:

Accredited by:

British Film Institute (BFI) logo

British Film Institute (BFI)

The BFI is a charity and the UK’s leading organisation for film and moving image. It promotes and supports British film from newcomers to established makers, and cares for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive.

ARRI logo

ARRI

ARRI is a leading designer and manufacturer of camera and lighting systems for the film, broadcast, and media industries. The ARRI Certified Film School accreditation is awarded to institutions that meet rigorous standards of technical excellence, creative education, and professional development.

What you'll study

What you'll
study

The content of the course may be subject to change. Curriculum content is provided as a guide.

For our students coming from a non-UK educational background, UCA has launched an Integrated International Pre-Masters year. 

On this course you’ll prepare for postgraduate study with a mix of online and face-to-face learning that will give you the study skills required to complete a Master’s, and you’ll also improve your English for academic study.

In the first term, you will study units introducing you to working and recording in studios, and the core skills of film and animation scoring

In the second term, the programme moves onto the critical analysis of media music, and media composition practice including game, TV and documentary. 

The work from term one and two work feeds into original collaborations that you may choose to include in your final portfolio.

Course specifications

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change in line with our Student Terms and Conditions for example, as required by external professional bodies or to improve the quality of the course.

Fees & financial support

Fees &
financial support

Tuition fees - 2024 entry

UK students:

  • MMus course - £10,500

EU students:

International students:

  • Integrated International Pre-Masters course (30 weeks) - £17,500
  • Integrated International Pre-Masters course (15 weeks) - £8,750
  • MMus course - £18,000

Further information
The fees listed here are correct for the stated academic year only. For more detailed information about our course fees and any financial support you may be entitled to please see our fees and finance pages.

Financial support

There are lots of ways you can access additional financial support to help you fund your studies - both from UCA and from external sources.

Discover what support you might qualify for please see our financial support information

UCA scholarships and fee discounts

At UCA we have a number of scholarships and fee discounts available to assist you with the cost of your studies.

You'll find everything you need to know for your level of study on our scholarships page.

Additional course costs
In addition to the tuition fees there may be other costs for your course. The things that you are likely to need to budget for to get the most out of a creative arts education will include books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips and/or project materials.

These costs will vary according to the nature of your project work and the individual choices that you make.

Facilities

Our teaching spaces have a mixture of analogue and digital equipment. We have sound editing, recording and mixing suites with software such as Avid Pro Tools, Steinberg Dorico and Cubase, Ableton Live, Max/MSP, Logic Pro and the Vienna Symphonic Library. The media store has a good supply of equipment to hire, specialist music equipment includes: Ableton push controllers, amplifiers, midi keyboards and high quality microphones such as the Neuman U87 and AKG 414. You'll also have access to the Grove Music dictionary and Naxos Music Library.

View 360 virtual tour

Recording studio, UCA Farnham

Recording studio, UCA Farnham

Recording studio, UCA Farnham

Lecture Theatre, UCA Farnham

Career opportunities

Career
opportunities

Graduates of this course can expect to leave with expert knowledge of composition technology, as well as specific understanding of game, animation, television and film scoring. Potential roles could include:

These include:

  • Music composer
  • Composition manager
  • Post-Production analyst
  • Video game composer
  • Composer for screen
  • Project manager
  • Music research

You may want to undertake further study or research to specialise even more.

Entry & portfolio requirements

Entry & portfolio
requirements

MMus course

  • A good honours degree or equivalent qualification in a related discipline

and/or

  • Relevant work experience, demonstrating your ability to study at postgraduate level.

Consideration will also be given to applicants who can make a strong case for admission in relation to a particular project and can demonstrate their potential to satisfactorily complete the course.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your portfolio for review. We’ll invite you to attend an Applicant Day so you can have your portfolio review in person, meet the course team and learn more about your course. Further information will be provided once you have applied.

More portfolio advice

MA course

The entry requirements for this course will depend on the country your qualifications are from, please check the equivalent qualifications for your country:

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your portfolio for review. We’ll invite you to attend an Applicant Day so you can have your portfolio review in person, meet the course team and learn more about your course. Further information will be provided once you have applied.


MA course with Integrated International Pre-Masters course

  • A recognised bachelor degree or 3 year diploma with a strong portfolio in a relevant subject.

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your portfolio for review. We’ll invite you to attend an Applicant Day so you can have your portfolio review in person, meet the course team and learn more about your course. Further information will be provided once you have applied.


English language requirements

To study at UCA, you'll need to have a certain level of English language skill. And so, to make sure you meet the requirements of your course, we ask for evidence of your English language ability, please chcek the level of English language required:

Don't meet the international entry requirements or English language requirements?

You may be able to enter the course through the following entry pathways:

Apply now

Please use the following fields to help select the right application link for you:

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