Program Description
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Music offered by the Schulich School of Music is a research-intensive program that emphasizes dynamic and hands-on learning opportunities. The program's objective is to equip students with skills in literature review, original thinking, and knowledge synthesis to pursue professional opportunities in academia or industry.
The PhD in Music is offered in seven different topic areas: Musicology, Music Theory, Music Technology, Music Education, Sound Recording, Composition, and Applied Performance Sciences. The Interdisciplinary option allows students to combine the methods and research questions practiced by separate areas of research within the Schulich School of Music in a single program of study. Applicants must choose a primary and secondary field of study and apply using their primary choice. Please do not attempt to select 鈥淚nterdisciplinary Studies鈥� as your area of study.
The program may also be taken as the Gender and Women's Studies option which focuses on issues centrally related to gender, sexuality, feminist theory, and/or women鈥檚 studies. This program is offered in collaboration with the 好色TVl Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies.
Keywords: historical performance study, digital studios, performance training, music teaching, physiology of performance, music technologies, computer music, new media, musical acoustics, digital signal processing, synthesis and gestural control, music information retrieval and music perception and cognition, counterpoint, musical form, harmony, analytical models, analysis of music, interdisciplinary research, history of music theory, contemporary developments, formal functions, Schenkerian analysis, mathematical models, theories of rhythm and meter, serialism, popular music analysis, sound recording, media industry, seminars, music technology, microphones, course-based, professional training, Tonmeister tradition, CIRMMT, MMR, recording studios, mixing, mastering, multichannel sound, virtual auditory environments, microphone techniques, automated mixing, advanced technical ear training, audio-visual correlation and internet music delivery.
Unique Program Features
- Students refine their musical language and artistic voice through private instruction with some of Canada's most accomplished composers, all of whom have distinguished themselves through high-profile commissions, performances, recordings, and awards;
- Faculty members have diverse interests that ensure composers will find a suitable mentor;
- The School houses several performance spaces, research & production laboratories, and two libraries with a vast collection of music resources. It is also home to the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT), an inter-institutional research centre containing six dedicated research labs and work spaces.
University-Level Admission Requirements
- An eligible Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA out of a possible 4.0 GPA
- English-language proficiency
Each program has specific admission requirements including required application documents. Please visit the program website for more details.
Visit our Educational credentials and grade equivalencies and English language proficiency webpages for additional information.
Program Website
PhD in Music (Applied Performance Sciences,听Musicology, Music Theory, Music Technology, Music Education, Sound Recording, Composition, and Interdisciplinary Studies) websites
听
听
听
Department Contact
Graduate Program graduateadmissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: PhD%20in%20Music) (email)
Available Intakes
Fall
Application Deadlines
| Intake | Applications Open | Application Deadline - International | Application Deadline - Domestic (Canadian, Permanent Resident of Canada) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FALL | September 15 | December 1 | December 1 |
| WINTER | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| SUMMER | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: Application deadlines are subject to change without notice. Please check the application portal for the most up-to-date information.