Leeds Conservatoire

MA Popular Music (Songwriter)

New for 2025!

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MA Popular Music (Songwriter) at Leeds Conservatoire

Launch your career as a songwriter with our MA in Popular Music, specialising in songwriting. Designed to empower you with a blend of musical expertise, a professional mindset and creative ingenuity, this postgraduate degree will prepare you to enter the ever-changing landscape of the modern music industry.

At Leeds Conservatoire students are in control of their personal, creative, and intellectual growth, emerging as skilled musicians and reflective practitioners who are prepared for enduring success in the music industry.

You’ll be challenged to explore, experiment, and uncover fresh perspectives and methodologies, being empowered to craft your best work and stand out in today's competitive global music scene.

  • Starts:
  • Duration: 1 Year
  • UCAS Code: 808F
  • UCAS Institution Code: L31
  • Apply Via: UCAS Conservatoires
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Validated By: University of Hull

This course is part of a brand-new suite of postgraduate music courses including:

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Course Overview

A Collaborative Curriculum

When you enrol at Leeds Conservatoire you will join a lively community of creative practice. We celebrate creative diversity, fostering collaboration among practitioners from varied stylistic backgrounds to pioneer new musical frontiers and build foundations for sustainable careers in the industry. Through dynamic group sessions, students from diverse stylistic backgrounds will collaborate, sparking innovation and forging lifelong connections. 

Master Your Skills

Alongside developing your music practice as a performer, we also provide our students with vital networking and entrepreneurial skills, essential for thriving in diverse professional arenas. 

Specialist tutors, peers, and industry guests provide invaluable support, constructive critique, and expert insights across a spectrum of disciplines. 

You’ll also engage in theoretical and research activities that will place your talent within a range of philosophical, historical, sociological, industrial and critical contexts. 

The ‘Songwriter’ pathway is designed to immerse you in the craft of songwriting, helping you develop both technical proficiency and creative fluidity.  

You'll study songwriting techniques, exploring various styles, structures, and lyrical themes and be given tailored feedback and mentorship from experienced songwriters and industry professionals. You'll also have opportunities to collaborate with performers, producers, and other songwriters, and refine your songwriting skills through workshops, masterclasses and practical projects. 

As a graduate, you’ll be fully prepared to make a significant impact in the music industry, equipped with the knowledge and creativity needed to excel as a professional songwriter. 

What you will study

 

Specialist Study modules in trimesters 1, 2 and 3 give students opportunities to reach their songwriting potential through one-to-one tuition and group workshops in songwriting.

Creative Practice in Context modules in trimesters 1 and 2 engage students in research activities that place their songwriting within a range of philosophical, historical, sociological, industrial and critical contexts.

Trimester 1:

  • Specialist Study 1 – assessed by one of the following: a public performance of existing work a public performance or sharing of original compositions or production work newly created; a portfolio of original compositions/production work evidenced by appropriate documentation, i.e. scores, recordings, etc.
  • Creative Practice in Context 1 – assessed by one of the following: essay, or presentation with an accompanying written commentary.

Trimester 2:

  • Specialist Study 2 – assessed by one of the following: a public performance of existing work; a public performance or sharing of original compositions; a portfolio of original newly-created compositions/production work evidenced by appropriate documentation, i.e. scores, recordings, etc.
  • Creative Practice in Context 2 – assessed by one of the following: essay, or presentation and an accompanying written commentary.

Trimester 3:

  • Specialist Study 3 – assessed by one of the following, accounting for 70% of the mark: a public performance of existing work/repertoire or a public performance or sharing of original newly-created compositions and/or production work, which may be live or digitally conceived, i.e. application-based, web-based, digital or physical EP release. Additionally, accounting for 30% of the mark, either a written critique examining the creative project submitted, or a panel-led spoken examination examining the creative project submitted.

Postgraduate Playlist

Check out a selection of tracks from Postgraduate students, developed during their time at Leeds Conservatoire.

LeedsConservatoire · MA Music out of Leeds Conservatoire
Classical-Mimi-Chamber-Orch

Careers

With a deep understanding of the creative and industrial contexts within which your practice exists, as an alumnus you will be prepared for a career as a musician. 

Our postgraduate students have received commissions, performed at regional and international festivals including South by South West, The Reeperbahn Festival, Glastonbury and Live at Leeds, progressed to teaching positions, and created public installations.

Meet our Alumni

Entry requirements, fees & applying

Course Type: MA Postgraduate Degree
Duration: 1 year
Study Mode: Full Time
Start date: September
Validated by: University of Hull

Course Key Information Document 2021/22 

 

Apply via UCAS Conservatoires

UCAS Code: MA Popular Music (Songwriter) – 808F

UCAS Institution Code: L31

Apply directly to Leeds Conservatoire

Alternatively you can apply directly to Leeds Conservatoire.

MA Popular Music (Songwriting) Application Form

Find out more about the application process.

Academic requirements

  • A degree in any subject, with a 2nd (2:2) classification or equivalent 

OR 

Musical proficiency requirements

  • Candidates must also demonstrate appropriate proficiency in their chosen discipline, or disciplines (songwriting, performance, writer performer, writer producer), which will be assessed through an interview/audition.

International applicants requirements

  • All international students must have a British Council English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 for each component)

All postgraduate applicants will be expected to submit a portfolio or audition. The auditions process will be communicated later in 2024.

Find out more about Fees & Funding for Postgraduate study.

Funding options

Student Loans for Masters level study are available for many Home applicants.

There are also a range of Scholarships & Bursaries available.

Read more on our Postgraduate Fees & Funding page.

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Our community

Our eclectic community comes from all over the world to write, interpret, discover, explore and reflect upon original and existing forms of music. 

Postgraduate students have the opportunity to meet industry guests from across the spectrum, with recent guests including: 

  • Anna Meredith MBE – Composer, producer and performer
  • Neil Davidge – Producer with Massive Attack
  • Harry Escott - Film score composer
  • Tom McRae - Singer, songwriter, recording and touring artist
  • Malcolm Joseph - Bass guitarist with Grace Jones
  • Ayanna Witter Johnson - Composer, performer and musician
  • Scanner - Electronic musician and multimedia artist
Postgraduate Open Days

Find out what it’s like to study at Leeds Conservatoire by coming along to an Open Day. 

Both Online and On-Campus Open Days allow you to find out more about our postgraduate courses, meet our teaching staff and see our facilities.

Find out more
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