During his time at ECA, Jack collaborated with students from outside his course, challenging him to work beyond his own medium and skill set. The confidence and experience he gained during his course has carried forward into his full-time freelance and performance work.

After skipping an undergraduate degree to go straight to postgraduate study, Jack plans to continue his academic journey by studying a PhD, also at ECA.

Why ECA?

As a professional musician working in industry, I decided to study at ECA to broaden my skillset within composition and build my professional network. I wanted to expand on my live performance and freelance work with a faculty that understands and actively navigates professional work as well as academic, and the department at Reid School of Music felt like the right team and environment.

Also, having gone straight into a professional role from high school, it was important to me that ECA recognised a portfolio in lieu of undergraduate credentials. Their understanding of a work-life balance and approach to studying as an active freelancer was critical in navigating the course.

Tell us about your time at ECA

Alongside my classes in composition, analysing music on screen, and interactive sound environments, I took advantage of the multi-disciplinary nature of the Edinburgh College of Art. I collaborated with two animation students, providing scores for their undergraduate final projects, as well as providing guitar and collaborating with my fellow classmates on their portfolios. I completed each of my classes to a distinction level grade, and strengthened my skills in composing to screen. It also inspired me to write music on a range of non-native instruments, improve my piano technique, and broaden the styles and sonic landscapes of my work.

Following my new confidence in screen composition, I offered to score a friend’s short film whilst finishing my final submission. It is set to release May 2026, and the experience has inspired me to find further short film work.

Tell us about your experiences since graduating

Since graduating I have returned to full-time freelance and performance work, but with a greater confidence and experience across all facets of my work. The courses I selected throughout my degree challenged my approach to composing, academic writing, and production. Critically, it also strengthened my ability to work quickly and confidently. I am very proud of the creative and personal growth I experienced over the year, and am still surprised at the range and volume of work I produced.

Beyond my graduation, I am very proud to have been offered an unconditional place to study a PhD at ECA. Having omitted an Undergraduate degree, I was tentative about my experience and aptitude as a student. However, thanks to the MMus Composition course and the department at the Reid School of Music, I feel equipped with the tools I need for a PhD, further academic work, and the next level of my professional career.

Alumni wisdom

My advice would be to collaborate with as many different artists as possible during your time studying. Take advantage of the different mediums of your student neighbours, and make connections where you can. Challenging yourself by working with people out with your medium and skill set is great training for communicating your work beyond your course.