Department of Music
The Department of Music is the oldest department of its kind in the country, with an established track record in music research, performing arts, composition, and music production. The Department was one of the first South African music institutions to incorporate Practice-based Research into its postgraduate offering and consistently ranks amongst the top performers in accredited creative outputs nationally.
Postgraduate programmes cater to a vast field of research and performance interests, also embracing the increasingly important role of interdisciplinarity in the Arts. The Music Library's Special Collections: DOMUS, is an important research hub that houses historically significant collections relevant to a wide scope of South African music. The Department's core postgraduate degree offering ranges from Honours to Doctoral level. This is bolstered by additional Diplomas and MPhil Degree programmes in Film Music and Music Technology.
Please see the audition and statement of intent guidelines for relevant programmes:
Auditions
Statement of Intent
Postgraduate Programmes
BMusHons Programme:
The BMusHons in Music is a professional degree and offers specialisation in one of the following fields: Composition, Music Education, Musicology, Music Technology and Practical Music Study (Solo voice, Solo instrument, Accompaniment, Chamber Music, and Conducting). Please contact the Department directly for more information on Jazz studies options.
In addition, you take a module in the research methodology of music and complete a research assignment.
Admission requirements:
Applicants must have a BAMus or BMus degree.
An audition is required for the options Practical Music Study (Solo voice/ Solo instrument/ Accompaniment/ Chamber Music/ Church Music/ Conducting).
A portfolio of compositions must be submitted when applying for the Composition option.
See departmental postgraduate guidelines for audition information
Duration of Programme: 1 year
MMus Programme
The MMus is a professional degree offering specialisation in Composition, Music Education, Musicology, Music Technology and Practical Music study (Solo voice, Solo instrument, Accompaniment, Chamber Music, and Conducting). Jazz studies options are available, and should be discussed directly with the Department. The Master's programme makes provision for the acquisition of research skills through a thesis that may comprise 50% or 100% of the course workload. Research topics cater to an extensive range of interests. In accordance with the chosen specialisation routes, Master’s modules are assessed by means of a thesis or a combination of public performances, written examinations, written assignments, research assignments and/or compositions.
Admission Requirements:
A BMus Honours degree, a four-year BMus degree or another Bachelor’s degree approved by Senate for the purpose
Supplementary work may be required.
An audition is required for the options Practical Music Study (Solo voice/ Solo instrument/ Accompaniment/ Chamber Music/ Church Music/ Conducting).
A portfolio of compositions must be submitted when applying for the Composition option.
For a thesis that integrates creative and theoretical work (practice-based research), (a) an audition is required for the purposes of practical work, or (b) a portfolio for Composition or other creative work.
Students are required to complete a research methodology course concurrently if they have not completed a similar course before.
Each application is accompanied by a statement of intent in which the intended research for the thesis component is introduced. (see departmental guidelines)
See departmental postgraduate guidelines for audition information
Duration of Programme: The degree is structured over 2 years, but may be completed in 1 year.
PhD in Music Programme
The PhD in Music is the Department's most senior research degree and consists of a dissertation and an oral examination. The study can consist exclusively of theoretical work, or can be an integrated study of creative processes (such as public performances or composition) and theoretical work to be reported in the dissertation.
Admission Requirements:
A Master’s degree in Music or an acceptable equivalent qualification approved by Senate for this purpose that provides evidence of advanced, independent creative abilities and/or research skills.
Enquiries for PhD in Music and MMus programmes:
Programme leader: Prof Pieter Grobler
E-mail: [email protected]
Postgraduate Diploma and Degree options in Film Music and Music Technology
The Diploma and MPhil options in Film Music and Music Technology distinguish themselves from the other postgraduate degree offerings in the same specialisation fields listed above, with a distinct industry focus and by catering to students from a wider range of musical training backgrounds in their admission requirements.
Enquiries:
Programme leader: Dr. Gerhard Roux
E-mail: [email protected]
Postgraduate Diploma in Film Music Programme
Offering training in advanced theory and practical applications in the field of music over one year full-time, the Postgraduate Diploma in Film Music familiarises students with a variety of concepts and theoretical frameworks in the subject field of film music. The modular nature of the coursework gradually introduces students to the fundamental theoretical concepts that aid the creative processes.
The programme is designed to support practitioners currently working in the film music industry who do not have a formal background in music. Formal music education is therefore not an entry requirement for this programme. On completing this programme, students will be ready for the advanced research required by the MPhil in Film Music.
Admission Requirements:
An academic qualification at NQF level 7 with music content
Duration of Programme: 1 year
Postgraduate Diploma in Music Technology
The Postgraduate Diploma in Music Technology provides an applied, practice-driven foundation in the creative, technical and analytical dimensions of contemporary music and sound. Aimed at students eager to explore how music and technology intersect in real-world creative environments, the programme offers opportunities to specialise in areas such as audio production and mastering, electronic composition, music for visual media, and technology-enhanced performance.
Students engage deeply with current production practices, interactive system design, and multimedia workflows, while gaining the conceptual grounding needed to experiment and innovate across diverse musical styles and contexts. The programme also opens pathways to a wide range of applied research topics—such as immersive and spatial audio, digital instrument design, sound for virtual and augmented environments, interactive installations, educational technologies for music learning, and the role of music technology in the creative industries.
Supported by state-of-the-art studios and specialist venues, the Postgraduate Diploma equips graduates with both the practical expertise and research readiness needed for professional work or further postgraduate study in the rapidly evolving field of music technology.
Admission requirements:
An academic qualification at NQF level 7 with music content
Duration of Programme: 1 year
MPhil in Film Music
Presenting the opportunity to conduct advanced research into film music fundamentals, the MPhil in Film Music develops and strengthens candidates' knowledge of film scoring through a systematic study of film scores, orchestration, theory, and technology. Taken over one year, the programme consists of a thesis (50% of the final mark) and a composition portfolio. Formal music training is not required for this programme.
The MPhil programme, a combination of taught modules and research, requires at least one year of full-time study. It focuses on the development of advanced practical and research skills in the technical-sound domain and on software in the broader music field.
Admission requirements:
A BMus Honours, a four-year BMus or the Postgraduate Diploma in Film Music or any other qualification which is approved and considered appropriate by Senate.
Depending on your study background and experience, supplementary work may be a prerequisite.
Acceptance of the research proposal is dependent on the successful completion of Research Methodology 414.
Although basic music knowledge is a prerequisite for admission, it may be possible to accommodate you if you do not comply with these prerequisites because of the modular structure of the presentation. Your application will then be considered according to the Policy for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Duration of Programme: 1 year
MPhil in Music Technology
The MPhil in Music Technology is an applied, research-driven postgraduate programme designed for students seeking to advance their expertise in the creative, technical and analytical dimensions of music and sound. The programme emphasises hands-on engagement with contemporary tools and practices—including audio production, sound design, interactive systems, digital signal processing, and music-for-media workflows—while grounding students in the theoretical and critical frameworks that shape the field.
Students develop research projects that address real-world challenges and innovations in music technology. Potential areas of enquiry include technology-enhanced performance, immersive audio and spatial sound, machine learning for music, digital instrument design, acoustics and psychoacoustics, music information retrieval, educational technologies for music learning, and the intersection of music, media and creative industries. By integrating applied practice with scholarly investigation, the MPhil equips graduates to contribute meaningfully to both academic research and the rapidly evolving professional audio and music-technology sectors.
Admission requirements:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Music Technology or any other qualification which is approved and considered appropriate by Senate.
Depending on your academic background and experience, supplementary work may be a prerequisite.
Acceptance of the research proposal is dependent on the successful completion of Research Methodology 414.
Although basic music knowledge is a prerequisite for admission, it may be possible to accommodate you if you do not comply with these prerequisites because of the modular structure of the presentation.
Duration of Programme: 1 year