The School of Music offers three Research Degree programmes which are examined by dissertation: the MA by Research, the MPhil, and the PhD. Alternatively, candidates can be examined in practice-based research by submission of a portfolio of recorded performances (MPhil/PhD in Performance) or a portfolio of compositions (MPhil/PhD in Composition), supported by an extended written commentary (min. 15,000 words). An Interdisciplinary MPhil/PhD in Performance is also offered, in partnership with other schools in the University, which appeals to arts practitioners working with music in a combination of different media and/or from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Research students in performance and composition also benefit from support and networking opportunities via the Centre for Interdisciplinary Practice-Led Research in the Arts (CePRA).

All of these programmes would enable you to pursue advanced, independent research under the guidance of one or two specialist supervisors. Below is a summary of areas of supervision expertise available in the School. For more details including specific staff supervision areas and research centres and projects, see the Research and Staff Profiles pages on this site.

• performance history, theory and practice
• composition
• music psychology
• music technology
• computer music
• popular and world musics
• anthropology and ethnography
• film music
• opera studies
• gender and queer theory
• historical and contextual studies
• aesthetics and critical theory

Research Degrees at the University of Leeds can be conducted in either full-time or part-time mode.