School of Society and Culture

PhD Computer Music

Studying PhD Computer Music at the University of Plymouth will immerse you in a world of cutting-edge research under the umbrella of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research. Our research expertise ranges from musicology and composition to biomedical applications of music and development of new music technologies.

Musical research at the University of Plymouth is truly interdisciplinary: we actively publish our research outcomes in learned journals and conferences in the fields of music, digital arts, computing, engineering, psychology, neurosciences and medicine.

Course details

  • Overview

  • If you do not already have a masters degree, you may be interested in one of our masters level research degrees – for instance, our ResM Computer Music (which enables a transfer directly into the PhD programme if you are making excellent progress), or else an MPhil degree. Further details about the University’s research degree awards.

    Core modules

    • Research Skills in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (DRTS800)

      This module provides research students the opportunity to explore the creation and interpretation of new knowledge within their field; develop the students’ ability to conceptualise, design and present their theses to merit publication; advance the students’ academic enquiry skills and techniques; and to generate and share the new knowledge within their academic discipline and professional practice.

  • Year 2

  • Core modules

    • Research Computer Music (GSRCOMU4)

  • Year 3

  • Core modules

    • Research Computer Music (GSRCOMU5)

  • Year 4

  • Core modules

    • Research Computer Music (GSRCOMU6)

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.
Entry requirements

Although candidates are expected to be conversant with music theory and/or practice and demonstrable experience on the topic of the envisaged research project, they are not required to have a music degree to join this programme. Applicants are expected to have completed a masters level qualification to a high standard as well as either a good 2:1 or first class honours undergraduate degree.

If you do not have a masters level qualification, we recommend you consider applying for our ResM Computer Music. Students who are making exceptional progress in a ResM programme, may progress directly into our PhD programme without having to complete the masters.

If English is not your first language, you must have proficiency in written and spoken English (normally a minimum test score of 6.5 for IELTS, or equivalent). Given the nature of the programme, you’ll be expected to read and engage with complex theoretical texts and debates for which fluency in English is essential.

For more general guidelines and application requirements, please visit the research degrees applicants page.

Fees, costs and funding

Please visit tuition fees for postgraduate research for information about fees. PhD Performing Arts is in Band 2 for fees purposes.

If you are a full time student, you will pay full time fees for three years. If you have not submitted your thesis by the end of this period, then you may pay for an optional one year writing up period.

If you are a part time student, you will pay part time fees for four years. If you have not submitted your thesis by the end of this period, then you may pay for an optional 'writing up' period of up to two years.

You are responsible for meeting all of the costs related to your own research project, beyond the resources available in the department.

Please visit our postgraduate research money matters page to find out more about issues related to fees, funding, loans and paying for your programme of study.

How to apply
In addition to completing the online application form (which includes space for a personal statement), you must also upload a research project proposal of no more than 1000 words in total. Your research proposal should outline your general topic, your key aims and the research question/problem you are addressing, your proposed methodology, key definitions/thinkers/discourses/practitioners you are drawing upon and an explanation of why this topic is significant or important.
Your personal statement should briefly explain why you have chosen to apply to our programme and what you feel you can offer our research community. 
It is recommended that you contact a member of staff (see people below) to briefly discuss your research idea before you submit an application.
Submitting your application
Complete your application and upload supporting documents to the Doctoral College by completing our online application form.
Questions on the application process?
We're here to help. Please contact the Doctoral College and we'll be happy to assist you.
More information and advice for applicants can be referenced in our admissions policy which can be found on the student regulations, policies and procedures page. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.
If you have a disability and would like further information on the support available, please visit Disability Services.
International Student Advice (ISA) provides support for our international students.
Find more information about How to apply for a research degree.

Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR)

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR) develops research combining music, science and technology. Our research expertise ranges from musicology and composition, to biomedical applications of music and development of new technologies for musical creativity.

More about ICCMR

<p>Eduardo Miranda playing as part of an orchestra</p>

Music of the mind

The ICCMR team developed a musical system which enables people with severe motor-impairments to play music with signals detected directly from their brain, which was featured in a documentary for Volvo and Sky Atlantic. 

Film credit: Volvo and Sky Atlantic


<p>Eduardo Miranda ICCR STARTS prize</p>

Grand prize of the European Commission for Innovation in Technology, Industry and Society stimulated by the Arts, ICCMR award

The composition Biocomputer Rhythms, by Eduardo Miranda, won an Honorary Mention at STARTS, an initiative of the European Commission to foster arts and sciences connections.

The sounds of Queen Canute

Former ICCMR PhD student, Nuria Bonet, now a Lecturer in Music at the University talks about her project on musification of data her composition Queen Canute, for seagulls and clarinet. 

Quantum Computing for Music and Creativity

“Today, computers are absolutely essential for the development of music technology. Quantum Computing emerging as a technology game changer, which is built on the principles of subatomic physics. Forthcoming developments in Quantum Computing will definitely impact on the future of the music industry.” 

Professor Eduardo Miranda

RadioMe

A £2.7 million project, RadioMe uses artificial intelligence to adapt and personalise live radio, with the aim of transforming lives for people living alone with dementia. Funded by The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), it addresses key causes of hospital admission for people with dementia, such as agitation and not taking medication correctly. Led by Professor Eduardo Miranda from the University and including other university partners, it will develop a way to remix live digital broadcast so that listeners will receive personal reminders, information and music to improve quality of life and allow people to remain living independently at home for longer.

Learn more about RadioMe

<p>Eduardo at the EG Conference</p>

EG Conference

EG is an annual gathering and a community of brilliant innovators driving our most creative industries. Professor Eduardo Miranda presented a talk at the EG Conference in California on developing bio-computing technology using components built with organic living material.

Watch Professor Eduardo's talk

Federico Visi

ICCMR PhD student, Federico Visi, receives Santander Universities Scholarship award for his innovative research on the impact of music and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Find out more about Federico

Frederico Visi

People

<p>Image of a glass jar with saving written on a label, full with coins.</p>