Student composes music on a manuscript

Music composition

Music composition

Take your musical creativity further with our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Music Composition. 

In line with today’s creative industries, our composition courses offer unique pathways with specialisms in either film, theatre or television composition.

There is also the facility to undertake optional modules from both the film and theatre strands to create a more generic course of study.

Browse our undergraduate and postgraduate music composition courses below and learn more about our fantastic facilities.

Album composed by LCM students and performed by violinist Timothy Schwarz released

An album of new works for solo violin by eight composition students and two lecturers is being released on Friday 24 November by the University’s record label London Noise Records.

Violinist Timothy Schwarz performing onstage

Music composition undergraduate courses

Music composition postgraduate courses

Course videos

Learn more about our innovative BMus (Hons) Composition (Film/Theatre) course in this video.

composer Oleta Haffner video interview

Award-winning composer and UWL Alumni Oleta Haffner details her journey from an undergraduate and post-graduate degree in Composition for Film and TV at the London College of Music, to her standout career highlights.

Why study music composition

  • Why study a music composition course?

    Studying music composition allows you to take your creativity further. You’ll learn about the techniques of a range of periods and genres and gain skills that may help you to succeed in a fast-paced and ever-changing music industry.  

    You’ll have the opportunity to develop your own voice as a composer, broaden your technical and artistic horizons, and benefit from exciting networking opportunities.   

  • Why study music composition at UWL?

    We have several music composition courses that provide the opportunity to specialise in electronic, film or theatre music. As a student in composition at the London College of Music, you’ll be joining a creative hub of forward-thinking musical minds.  

    You will have access to one of Europe’s largest studio complexes and opportunities to attend regular workshops and masterclasses from industry experts such as celebrated film orchestrator and conductor Nick Ingham, who maintains a visiting association with the University.  

  • What do I need to study music composition at UWL?

    Look at the dedicated page for the music composition course that interests you by clicking the relevant link above, where you’ll be able to see specific entry requirements.  

    For all our music courses, you’ll need some background in music.

Facilities

Facilities

Tour of the music studios

Join Dr Dan Pratt and Ben Bushell for a tour of the studios where you could find yourself, if you choose the London College of Music for your music performance and management course.

An array of synthesisers on display in the Townshend Studio at the University of West London

The Townshend Studio

The Townshend Studio is a creative space for learning, collaboration, experimentation and play.

The studio is a collection of instruments used by Pete Townshend, co-founder of The Who and Ealing School of Art (now UWL) alumnus, who described his time at the School as “a revelation”. The collection is comprised of 12 principal synthesisers, plus many other instruments which have been used by Pete throughout his career.

The Townshend Studio
Lawrence Hall, a black box theatre at the University of West London

Performance spaces

Our flexible, professionally-equipped performance spaces include Lawrence Hall, a 200-seat black box studio theatre, and Vestry Hall, a classical music performance space featuring a Steinway B Concert Grand piano, concert tuned percussion and seating for up to 150 

A production studio at the London College of Music

Production studios

We have four black box production rooms featuring performance dance floors, ballet barres, wall mirrors and ¾ drapes. All rooms have PA and AV support in all rooms. The digital stage pianos are by Roland.

A 1:1 teaching pod at LCM

One-to-one teaching pods

We have five acoustically isolated teaching pods featuring Roland and Korg digital pianos and mirrors to facilitate one-to-one teaching in voice.

A music performance room at the University of West London

Music performance rooms

All music performance rooms feature drums and backline plus PA support.

  • Drums by Roland and Pearl.
  • Backline by Marshall, Orange, Line 6, Fender and Gallien-Kruger
  • Stage pianos by Korg and Roland
  • Synths by Roland and Kurzwiel
  • PA by Yamaha, ABT and Nexo.
A Steinway piano in a basement practice room at LCM

Basement practice rooms

  • 12 instrumental practice rooms with Steinway pianos.
  • Three percussion practice and teaching rooms.
  • Percussion rooms feature Pearl kits with recording and playback systems.
The Media Resource Centre at the University of West London

Media Resource Centre

At our Media Resource Centre (used by all subject areas) you'll find extensive portable audio recording systems, including up to 24 track digital HD recording and portable Focusrite RedNet systems.

There is also video-camera and accessory support, including LED and tungsten lighting systems, track and dolly systems and stedi-cam rigs.

Where can a music composition degree take me?

A student composes music on a Mac computer

On graduating with a Composition degree, you could work in the following sectors:

Creative Industry

  • Composer
  • Arranger
  • Orchestrator
  • Editor
  • Copyist
  • Musical Director

Arts Industry

  • Arts Management and Organisation
  • Performing Arts Producer & Marketing

Education

  • Primary / Secondary school teaching
  • Private Sector
  • Workshop facilitator
  • Peripatetic Music Teacher

Creative-related Industry

  • Performing Arts Journalism Critics
  • Performing Arts Fundraising and Budgeting