| NMMU1101 | Principal Study: Advanced Composition I
This core module cultivates independent, research-informed compositional practice for students specialising in Composition. Students exercise critical judgement in exploring form, texture, orchestration, and musical narrative, developing a distinctive compositional voice suited to professional and scholarly contexts across acoustic and digital media. Principal Study lessons and weekly Composer Seminars provide a forum for rigorous peer and faculty critique, requiring students to articulate artistic intent with precision. By positioning compositional craft as a mode of enquiry, the module prepares students to produce original work of publishable, professional standard.
| 30 |
| NMMU1201 | Principal Study: Advanced Composition II
This core module in the second semester extends independent compositional practice toward extended works of conceptual maturity, technical control, and artistic distinction. Students critically engage with form, structure, and orchestration across acoustic, electroacoustic, and multimedia formats, integrating creative research and contextual understanding to refine an assured personal voice. Principal Study lessons and weekly Composer Seminars provide a forum for professional-level critique, requiring students to defend compositional strategies and aesthetic decisions before peers, faculty and industry partners. By consolidating independent compositional practice at this advanced stage, the module prepares students to produce coherent, original musical works of professional standard for the Graduation Project and public dissemination.
| 30 |
| NMRD1105 | Research Methodologies in the Creative Arts
This core module equips postgraduate students to design and justify rigorous, context-sensitive research methodologies for creative and scholarly inquiry. Students critically examine the theoretical foundations of arts research — including practice-based and practice-led approaches — and engage with methods of documentation, reflection, and analysis appropriate to their own creative work. Through critical reading, seminar discussion, and hands-on application, students formulate research questions, evaluate methodological choices, and address the ethical demands of working with participants, collaborators, and communities. By positioning creative practice itself as a form of research and knowledge production, the module prepares students to structure original, scholarly-rigorous proposals that bridge artistic and academic enquiry.
| 20 |
| NMMU1203 | Interdisciplinary Portfolio Project
This core module extends compositional practice into interdisciplinary territory, as composition students conceive, develop, and realise an original creative project in collaboration with either dance or film. Through project development workshops, collaborative studios, and one-to-one supervision, students refine a distinctive artistic voice while navigating the technical and interpersonal demands of co-creation. Projects move through full production to public showcase, with opportunities to present work at festivals. Throughout, students receive critique from industry professionals and build networks that extend beyond the programme. By the module’s completion, students will have produced an original interdisciplinary work and professional portfolio demonstrating artistic maturity, reflective rigour, and readiness for contemporary creative industry settings.
| 20 |
| NMMU2101 | Graduation Project
As the capstone of the Master of Music, the Graduation Project requires students to produce a substantial, original body of work that synthesises artistic, pedagogical, and scholarly achievement within their chosen specialism. Following an approved project proposal in the first semester, students undertake sustained independent development, supported by one-to-one supervision, specialist seminars, and critique from faculty and external practitioners. The final submission will demonstrate original thinking, methodological rigour, and professional-level artistic and scholarly command. By consolidating research-informed inquiry with advanced practice, the module represents the culmination of postgraduate study and readiness for professional or scholarly dissemination.
| 60 |
| Electives | Electives
You may further personalise your study through electives (10 or 20 credits each) in areas such as Conducting, Orchestration, Performance Psychology, and Performance Analysis. These modules extend your creative, pedagogical, and professional capabilities for today’s evolving arts landscape.
| 20 |