TWO SUBJECT AREAS IN ONE DEGREE

Degree accredited and awarded by

MFA MUSIC PRODUCTION AND MEDIA COMPOSITION

DUAL PATHWAY POSTGRADUATE DEGREE

Flexible online study with personal tuition

Full time – 24 months (30 hours a week)
Part time – 36 months (15 hours a week)
Part time – 48 months (8 hours a week)

Accepting applications for Sep 2024 start. Apply now

Composing for media is often associated with orchestral ensembles and other instrumental music genres, however songwriting and contemporary production cannot be overlooked as it has been a crucial part of media from the start.

This course will train and prepare you for a career as a media composer or contemporary artist, focussing on the creative and technical skills required to thrive in both industries. During this comprehensive Master of Fine Arts degree course, you will cover the skills taught in both our MA Creative Music Production and MA Professional Media Composition courses.

INTERESTED?

Have questions? Our friendly team are here to help. Complete the form above, email us or call us on +44 (0)1243 256 049

Preparing you for the career you deserve

This is an incredibly practical degree course which will regularly have you working on music and defining your voice and skills as a songwriting, producer, and composer. This course is for students looking to develop a career as a contemporary artist but who also want to use those skills to help them diversify and enter the world of media composition - the two come hand in hand, and this program will cover both topics in depth.

On this course, you will learn:

The technical aspects of writing to picture, including spotting the film, working with hit points and markers, and responding to feedback by professional composers
Mixing, mastering, sound design, and vocal production
To write music that today’s market wants to buy
Contemporary songwriting and music production techniques
To compose in a wide range of styles using different technical and creative approaches
Copyright, contracts, and money

TAUGHT BY working PROFESSIONALS

Our teaching staff and mentors are all current working professionals, many involved at the highest level in the business.

Being online, we have access to a vast pool of talent from all over the world, so you can speak with tutors and gain insights from all areas of the music industry regardless of where they, or you, are based.

Here are a few of the many who will be giving you individual feedback, either in writing, during weekly one to one mentoring sessions, or at the student workshops. This doesn’t include visiting lecturers, these are the people doing the teaching.

See All THINKSPACE Teaching Staff

GUY MICHELMORE

Composer / CEO
(Marvel, Disney, Dreamworks, Lionsgate)

PHIL LARSEN

Producer, Mixer, Remixer (Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Moby)

EMILY RICE

Composer & Orchestrator
(Tomb Raider, The Mummy, Star Trek: Discovery)

IRWIN SPARKES

Songwriter (The Hoosiers, White Tail Falls)

CHRIS ROCKALL

Music Marketing & Promotion (Island Records, Universal/Motown)

ARHYNN DESCY

Composer & Pianist
(Acclaimed music educator, Ivor Novello Award judge)

KEVIN MANTHEI

Composer & Orchestrator
(Batman: Gotham Knight, Resident Evil, Deep Impact)

ELLA WALKER

Songwriter (Michael Kiwanuka, Danger Mouse, RHODES)

JONNY YATES

Composer & Pianist
(Commercials for Santander, McLaren, British Airways, NHS)

LEARN EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Your course falls into twelve modules plus a final major project which lasts three months. Each module focuses on a different area of media composition and orchestration, while at the same time developing specific compositional, technical and business skills.

Media composers are required to compose in a very wide range of styles. While most composers have a home style in which they can write fluently, being able to achieve the same level of fluency in a new style takes insight, skill and practice.

This analytical thinking, when focussed on their own music, helps to develop a self-critical sense of objectivity which is an important part of mastering new genres and new areas of work. In this module we first explain how some common styles work and then ask students to reproduce and extend work in a given style.

Media composers are only a part of some greater creative enterprise, be it a film, game, television programme or commercial. As such they need to be able to understand the creative vision of the director or producer and create music which is in line with their expectations. Communicating creative ideas and attempting to describe music in words is notoriously difficult and fraught with potential problems. In this module we introduce students to the complexity of this issue and offer some strategies for better communication.

Further to this, students will be exposed to more complex and demanding industry sectors such as computer games and library music. Composers are introduced to more difficult projects where the technical requirements are more demanding. Listening to interviews with real-world clients will help students acclimatise to the language and style of communication used in the industry.

Both professional and academic research gathers relevant information from a wide range of sources before analysing and drawing reasonable conclusions. The research will be evaluated on the basis of its originality, depth of insight, and the quality of the supporting argument.

Research can constitute:
- Professional research (i.e. further understanding gained from examining the professional output of other practitioners)
- Academic research (i.e. further understanding gained from theoretical/historical/analytical activities)

We expect students to:
- Analyse, synthesise, critically reflect, and build an argument
- Use academic writing, including referencing and a bibliography
- Contextualise their practical work in light of the research

In the modern world of music technology, it has never been easier to access such a wide pallet of sounds. Why is it then, that so much music sounds so alike and, therefore, lacks the uniqueness that often leads to something greater. Easy access to “presets” is one of the reasons that this occurs. In commercial music, success and longevity can often be attributed to innovation and individuality. Thinking about the use and creation of new sounds and textures will encourage students to embrace a world off possibilities that sets them apart from others.

Students are introduced to the practical skill of writing music in sync with the picture. Having established the powerful and complex relationship between music and the moving image in the previous module, students should be well equipped to begin writing their own original music to a given picture.

In this module we also look at several different areas of the industry: documentaries, animation, commercials and natural history, each of which presents its own set of specific requirements and challenges.

Writing great music is not the only hurdle that students must face on the path to creating professional quality music. Delivering a polished final mix is an essential part in presenting music at its best. In many genres, particularly electronic music, mixing and production is inextricable from the composition and arrangement itself. This is an incredibly important skill for any professional wishing to compete in commercial music.

On this course you will have 2 elective modules, which allows you to customise your experience on the course leading up to your Final Major Project or Dissertation.

You can choose from:

EDM and Remix Masterclass
Lyric Writing Masterclass
Hip Hop and RnB Masterclass
Rock and Metal Masterclass
Country Music Masterclass
Adventures in Experimental Music
Advanced Music Promotion
Composing for Drama
Musical Sound Design
Composition: Telling Stories
Sampled Orchestration
Music Editing

On this course you will have 2 elective modules, which allows you to customise your experience on the course leading up to your Final Major Project or Dissertation.

You can choose from:

EDM and Remix Masterclass
Lyric Writing Masterclass
Hip Hop and RnB Masterclass
Rock and Metal Masterclass
Country Music Masterclass
Adventures in Experimental Music
Advanced Music Promotion
Composing for Drama
Musical Sound Design
Composition: Telling Stories
Sampled Orchestration
Music Editing

Final Major Project
The Final Major Project is a major piece of work that will take 12 weeks to complete. It represents the culmination of creative, technical, and research skills acquired during the rest of the course. This is a substantially longer piece of work than any other so far. It requires both solid technical skills and a much broader and deeper creative insight. Students will be expected to research their chosen genre, developing a critical awareness of creative and technical problems faced by musicians at the forefront of professional practice.

The quality of the creative idea and the insight into the intention of the artist is far more critical with larger scale work. This large-scale project is a great deal more challenging than the sum total of several shorter assignments. This module will encourage students to think of the bigger picture, demonstrate everything they have learnt during the course and accurately represent themselves as an industry professional. Consequently, the original idea and the approach need to be thought out much more thoroughly. Students will be supported by formative assessment from their tutor at points throughout the Final Major Project. The final submission will be graded by at least two tutors.

Dissertation
The dissertation will represent students research into an area of commercial music. The dissertation is an extended piece of scholarly written work. It will take 12 weeks to complete, and represents the culmination of your academic, analytical and research skills, as well as taking advantage of your practical experience.

You will be asked to write a long essay of 12,000 words (+/- 10%), including footnotes, but excluding bibliography. This is a substantially longer than any of your other work so far.

This module will cultivate your intellectual and scholarly independence as a specialist in this area. You will undertake the work as an individual, under the guidance of a supervisor, with whom you will meet regularly in one-to-one sessions.

UNSURE ABOUT STUDYING ONLINE?

Concerned about feeling disconnected or lacking individual attention from home? Don't worry. Our online music campus connects you with fellow students, industry alumni, tutors, and professionals across the globe. There's always someone to assist, offer advice, provide encouragement, or share work opportunities.

Discover what our degree alumni have to say about their connected experience with ThinkSpace, the friends they've made, and the networks they've built.

"I love the community. I've made friends for life and I look forward to working with many of them in the future."

FLEXIBLE Schedules TO FIT AROUND YOUR LIFE

We offer three different schedules so you can pick which best fits around your life. It is also possible to switch between these schedules at certain points during the degree, should you find that that you have more or less time available than you anticipated. You can also pause your degree altogether if life gets in the way.

Full time – 24 months (30 hours a week)
Part time – 36 months (15 hours a week)
Part time – 48 months (8 hours a week)

Please note that these weekly hours are estimates based on previous years' students. It will vary from student to student, depending on your rate of work. These times estimates include every element of the course: live workshops, one-to-one tutorials, reading and watching the course materials, and time spent on assignment projects.

Learn more about SCHEDULES

FinancING

Price for the whole degree:

£16,750

You will be invoiced in instalments at the start of each term. (For courses lasting longer than 12 months, please budget for an annual inflation linked increase on the remaining balance of fees, based on UK RPI, capped at 8%.)

UK and International students pay the same. For those paying in other currencies, the exact price is subject to exchange rate fluctuation.

STUDENT LOANS

You can apply for the following student loans to cover postgraduate tuition:
- Up to £12,167 in England. More info
- Up to £18,770 in Wales. More info
- Up to £6,500 in Northern Ireland. More info

PAY-AS-YOU-LEARN OPTIONS

We offer interest-free payment plans, where you can spread the cost of your course across the duration of your studies. The payment plan you are on depends on the schedule you are on. You will be required to pay a deposit upon enrolling.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FINANCING

HELPING YOU SECURE YOUR FIRST ROLE

This degree not only equips you with the necessary skills for your desired career but also offers valuable assistance in securing a great job once you graduate. Our optional Employment Support Programme (ESP) is provided to graduates of this degree at no extra cost.

This bootcamp-style program helps you enhance your demo reel, refine your website, build your professional network, identify job prospects, and improve your pitching abilities. Through a combination of live workshops, video tutorials, and course materials, it provides you with the essential support, training, and motivation required to embark on the fulfilling career you deserve.

accredited by Arts University Bournemouth

Your degree is accredited and awarded by our academic partner, Arts University Bournemouth (AUB). Home to the prestigious Bournemouth Film School – whose alumni include film director Edgar Wright (Baby Driver) and screenwriter Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire) – AUB is a public university on the south coast of England. Its history dates back to the 1880s.

AUB provide academic oversight across our degrees, which are subject to the same rigorous quality checks as degrees taught by all UK universities.

How to apply

To make an initial application you will need to fill out the application form, write a short cover letter and provide a few examples of your music / sound design. You will find a detailed explanation of the process on the applications page.

You do not require a high level of music theory for this course, just the ability to write great music and lots of potential.

Start your application

"Am I good enough?"

We are asked this question all the time and we’re happy to help and advise. Get in touch and we'll discuss your musical ambitions and ask for some examples of your work. Then we can tell you where you stand. Simply complete the form below, email us or call +44 (0)1243 256 049.

HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS

"I chose ThinkSpace because the course tutors all work in the industry themselves. The skills I'm learning as a composer are right up there.

James Wedlock
MA Professional Media Composition graduate

"I needed to learn everything, fast With ThinkSpace, I was able to learn exactly what I want to learn, in the way I wanted to learn it."

Maria Lui
MA Professional Media Composition graduate

Frequently Asked Questions

For more FAQs, and more information please visit the Applications & FAQs, Student Finance and Study With ThinkSpace pages.

An MFA qualification is a 'Master of Fine Arts'. This is a full Masters qualification, but is a step up from our standard MA (Master of Arts) degrees in that they combine multiple disciplines instead of focusing on one. Our MFA degrees combine two of the topics taught in our MAs, and there are a variety of combinations for those who want to focus on different skills in their career.

For those who are interested in a diverse career, where you focus on multiple skill sets and multiple forms of media, an MFA is a good way to get an expansive education that prepares you for multiple avenues for your career.

Ideally, applicants will have an undergraduate degree in music. However, there is an option for those who do not have a degree, taking into account real-world work experience of making music, and non-degree professional development courses. This Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as it’s known, is always assessed on a case-by-case basis. It also depends on how many other students are using this route during this stage of applications, as there is a maximum percentage of students we can take through this process.

Each of the practical projects you submit will be accompanied by a 1000 word commentary explaining how you approached the task. This writing is not marked directly but is used to inform your tutor’s feedback. In every business-focused module of this course you will be expected to do research and complete some form of written assessment component for each assignment. We expect our applicants to demonstrate good communication skills during their application, as this is a focus of the course.

If you do the Final Major Project, you will be required to submit a 2000 word commentary. If you choose the dissertation instead, this will be a 12,000 word essay.

We expect you to have a competent knowledge of one digital audio workstation. You need to write music fluently and productively. Your demos should be of good quality and we are happy to listen to your music and give you an opinion on this before you apply. A high level of music theory is a big advantage but we appreciate people come from different backgrounds and strong music theory is not always required to write a great piece of music.

You will be judged principally on the potential shown in your portfolio, but it's worth noting that for any 'Orchestration' course we do ask to see examples of sheet music that you have produced of your work. This should be completed in a score editor such as Finale, Sibelius, or Dorico.

You must also have a reasonable to top performance computer (Mac or PC) as well as at least a basic orchestral virtual instrument library (we can advise you if you’re not sure about your setup).

PC:
Minimum Spec:
Intel/AMD Quad Core Processor 2.6GHz

8/16GB RAM

However we would recommend:
Intel i7 Quad Core 3.2GHz (equivalent or higher)

32GB RAM

Mac:
Minimum Spec:
Intel Processor Quad Core 2.6GHz
8/16GB RAM

However we would recommend:
Intel i7 Quad Core 3.2GHz (equivalent or higher)

32GB RAM

You will also need:
Monitoring headphones and/or speakers

We also recommend:
External audio interface
MIDI Keyboard

Any of the main Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). We are able to provide extensive support for:

Cubase 8 (or newer)
Logic Pro X
Pro Tools 11
Ableton Live 10 or 11
FL Studio 20

Being an orchestration course, we do also expect you to have access to good orchestral sample libraries. If you want advice about this, just get in touch. We expect students to have the necessary equipment and tools to produce their music, and knowing what plugins, software, and software instruments are required to make your genre is key.

On successful completion of your course, you will be awarded a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Arts University Bournemouth. All UK degrees, including those gained through ThinkSpace Education, are recognised worldwide. The qualification is fully accredited in the UK and subject to regular quality control, review, and external invigilation to ensure the highest academic standards are maintained.

The graduation ceremony takes place in Chichester each year where you will receive your degree alongside your fellow students and the rest of the university’s graduates. If you cannot attend the ceremony in the UK, we can send your certification to you through the post.

have a question? contact us

Need some advice? Or just want to talk music? We’re always here to lend a professional ear.

postgraduate@thinkspace.ac.uk

+44 (0)1243 256049

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