Our PhD in Musical Composition facilitates deep exploration of your creative language and expansion of your compositional horizons. You will do this by developing a rich body of professional compositional work with a supervisory team of experts working in areas adjacent to your own. 

Your research will help you to position your creative practice in relationship to contemporary musical styles and challenges. There are no stylistic preferences, and all contemporary styles are encouraged, including the use of new technologies, musical computing and experiments with artificial intelligence.

Whatever your compositional background, our PhD in Musical Composition is aimed at supporting your growth as a professional musician with focused and supported musical development over an extended period.

If you'd like to study on a postgraduate research programme at Edinburgh College of Art, you must apply through EUCLID, our online application system. You can find out how to do this on the University of Edinburgh website, where you'll also be able to:

• See detailed entrance requirements for each programme on the Degree Finder
• Get information on what to expect after you apply
• Find out about study modes, start dates and fees
• Find out if, and how, you need to submit a portfolio, showreel or research proposal
• Find out where to go for further advice and guidance.

Read the University of Edinburgh's student terms and conditions

Before you apply  

Students are assigned two research supervisors, the second of which may be from another discipline within ECA, or from somewhere else within the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS) or wider University. 

Please ensure that at least one member of staff (see below) maintains an active research programme that aligns with the themes of your proposed project.  

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to make contact with the relevant member(s) of staff via email to explain your research interests prior to submitting an application. Please note that we only accept applications and review application materials submitted through the official EUCLID application portal.

After you apply 

Once your application has been submitted for consideration, it will be sent to a team of academic reviewers for their attention. They will then make a decision about your application and research topic, and decide whether it is possible to make an offer of a place to study with us. You may be asked to attend a brief online interview but if this is the case, you will be notified in advance.