Every candidate for this offered by? must either have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Music with Honours (MusB(Hons)) or have been awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Music (PGDipMus), or have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).

To gain the degree in Composition, a candidate must present an approved portfolio comprising an extended work and such further compositions as may be required, accompanied by a written component.

To gain the degree in Studio Production, a candidate must present a substantial, professional-quality sound recording of original or arranged works, accompanied by a written component.

To gain the degree in Performance, a candidate must present two approved public performances of approximately 50 minutes each in the University, at least one of which shall be at the end of the programme, undergo an oral examination, and complete a written component. The candidate may replace one of the performances with a recorded performance.

Graduates find themselves in a wide variety of careers, including music performance, composition, education, technology, theatre and the media.