Paul Jackson
Professor in History
level:PG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:false;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:true;start_month:October, March;location:Waterside
Music MPhil/PhD including Practice-Based in the Arts/PhD by Published works
Key Facts
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Duration
MPhil: Full time 12 months - 3 years
MPhil: Part time 30 months - 5 years
PhD: Full time 2 years - 4 years
PhD: Part time 3 years - 6 years
PhD by Published Works: 1 - 2 years -
Level
PostgraduatePG PhD
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See Fees and Funding
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See Fees and Funding
Get in touch
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Updated 12/02/2026
Overview
If you are a graduate in music, composition, production or similar discipline, this Music MPhil/ PhD / PhD by Published Works programme offers an excellent route to expand your knowledge, develop your skills and apply research either in a practice-led study, or the more traditional written medium. After successfully defending the final thesis, you will be given a Level 8 certificate, which is the highest formal certification available in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Our offer affords an excellent opportunity to therefore progress to a higher management position within the music sector, or potentially beyond into a related field.
Apply by 1 August for our October intake and 11 December for our March intake.
Highlights
- This course is unique to the University of Northampton.
- Creative Patterning in music.
- Composition.
- Computer-aided composition.
- Artificial Intelligence in music creation.
- Music Technology work, including Spatial Technologies.
- Digital Signal Processing.
- Cross-collaboration with Drama, Gaming/ and/ or the Arts.
- Music analysis.
- Scored and un-score compositions, including popular music and electronic musical work, including vocal work.
- Working with the Digital Audio Workstation, including working with and thinking about the audio object.
Inside of Senate building showing the entry-way from the top of the first floor stairs
Senate building from outside, with flowers blooming in the foreground.
The walkway between the Learning Hub and Halls accommodation
The inside of the ground floor of the Learning Hub, with a large digital screen on the wall.
The welcome desk at the front of the Senate building, with the stairs going to the first floor in the background.
A patch of green grass with the Engine Shed in the foreground, and Accommodation and Sunley Hotel in the background.
Students walking across University Bridge over the river Nene with the Creative Hub in the background
Entry Requirements
To be admitted onto the programme, you will normally need to have a recognised Masters degree or a 2.1 or higher honours degree from a UK university or International equivalent in a relevant subject area.
- You must also demonstrate a close familiarity with existing theoretical and practical aspects of your topic area, a developed awareness of fundamental research skills, and some ability to design and define a viable project.
- There should also be a good match between your intended project and expertise of staff at UON.
- UON welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and alternative qualifications may be considered on an individual basis.
- All shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview.
All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:
- successful interview outcome.
- a good match between your intended project and expertise of staff at UON to provide suitable Research Supervision.
Visit our How to apply page for more details on how to apply to study with us, where to look for a suitable Supervisor, and which additional documents are necessary for the application process, including how to write a research proposal.
Our Graduate school page has further details about the research degrees offered at Northampton and becoming a Research student.
All applicants must be able to demonstrate that their level of English Language ability meets the University of Northampton’s minimum requirements for their application to be accepted. Therefore, applications received with Applications with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components will not be considered for level 8 study.
UON requires applicants to speak and write English to an overall standard of CEFR C1, with a minimum standard of CEFR B2 in all four components for its level 8 programmes. This is equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum of 6.5. in all four components especially in writing.
If you require a visa to study at the University of Northampton, you must meet the English language requirements before the University of Northampton is permitted to sponsor your visa application.
What You'll Learn
This Music PhD programme is a way for you to develop your specialism by improving your technical skills, improving creativity and deepen your thinking.
To conduct your research work efficiently and autonomously, you will first get general, discipline-based, and project-specific instruction while creating and setting up research projects. When you finish this course, you will be able to find research and development roles across a range of music related industries, or progress into an academic career or enter business at a managerial level.
What is the difference between a full PhD and a PhD by Published works?
A PhD involves conducting original research and writing a thesis, while a PhD by Published Works is awarded based on a collection of previously published papers demonstrating significant contributions to the field. Additional information about choosing your type of research degree can be found on our How to apply for Research degree study page.
Fees and Funding
2026/27 Tuition Fees
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 26/27 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
- UK – Full Time: £5,850
- UK – Part Time: £2,900
- International – Full Time: £16,850
- International – Part Time: £7,850
Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works
Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.
- UK – Part Time: £3,700
- International – Part Time: £8,100
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
- UK – Full Time: £5,700
- UK – Part Time: £2,845
- International – Full Time: £16,350
- International – Part Time: £7,640
Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works
Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.
- UK – Part Time: £3,600
- International – Part Time: £7,840
Staff
Stace Constantinou
Senior Lecturer in Music
Careers and Employability
Our students could progress to a wide range of areas, including working in a music related field, audio programming, composition, music production, radio, drama, film, Gaming, and the media. It would also be possible to engaged in PhD level research for a retirement project.
Facilities
Professional Grade Recording Studio facilities, including for example: Pro Tools software and hardware, Audient Desk and high-fidelity custom built mid and near-field monitoring. We also have a range of outboard channel strips, such as Neve and SSL. Includes two different tuned recording rooms, and smaller ‘Studio B’ rooms with links to the main studio.
We’re in the process of expanding our spatialisation capacity, in terms of both quality and quantity of speakers, as well as associated software and hardware, for example Dolby Atmos.
Other features include:
- Neve 1073LB preamps, SSL VHD preamps, Apollo 8P, Apollo Satellite Octo, Rupert Neve Designs 5043, Arturia V studio, Universal Audio Ultimate, and Spitfire Audio Hybrid.
- Hardware synthesisers: Arturia DrumBrute, Novation Circuits, Roland TB303, Behringer Deepmind 12, Roland Juno DS, Novation Bass Stations, Ableton controllers – Launchkey 49s, Launcontrol XLs, Launchpad Mark 1 and Mark 2.
Three fully kitted rehearsal rooms:
- Live performance hardware: Vox amps, Marshall MG 4×12 amps, Orange Crush Pro amps, Peavey Amps, Ampeg PF500 Bass amplifiers, Yamaha Stage Custom kits, Gretsch Drum Kit, Studio AAX, full PA, three rehearsal rooms.
- A Steinway Studio B Grand piano (in the main studio), two Bechstein Boudoir Grands, and two Yamaha uprights.
