Programme structure: Composition of Music for Film and Television (MA) - what's running in 2026/27

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

    What do the Levels represent?

    What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?

    If you are selecting optional units, ensure that you have a balanced workload through the year.

  • Year 1 (2026/27)
Unit name Unit code Credit points Status Teaching Block
Film Scoring MUSIM0023 20 Mandatory TB-1
Media Composition MUSIM0025 20 Mandatory TB-2
Music for Games MUSIM0057 20 Mandatory TB-2
Portfolio / Dissertation MUSIM0021 60 Mandatory AYEAR
Professional Techniques MUSIM0024 20 Mandatory TB-1
Plus 40 credit points from the following:
Advanced Orchestration MUSIM0043 20 Optional TB-1
Chamber Music Duos in Practice MUSIM0052 20 Optional TB-4
Critical Analysis of Media Music MUSIM0020 20 Optional TB-2
Composers and Performers MUSIM0055 20 Optional TB-2
Readings and Repertoires 1 MUSIM0058 20 Optional TB-1
Readings and Repertoires 2 MUSIM0059 20 Optional TB-2
Research Skills for Musicians MUSIM0035 20 Optional TB-1
Screen Forms and Analysis FATVM0016 20 Optional TB-1
Screen Style and Aesthetics FATVM0013 20 Optional TB-2
Supervised Individual Study MUSIM0050 20 Optional TB-1,TB-2
Writing for Orchestra (Postgraduate) MUSIM0053 20 Optional TB-1
Subject to availability and subject to approval from the Programme Director, students may take ONE 20-credit module at level 5/I or 6/H. These units have codes beginning MUSI2 or MUSI3. Please see the unit catalogue (http://www.bris.ac.uk/esu/unitprogcat/UnitsForDept.jsa?orgCode=MUSI) for information on available units. Please note that MUSI20058 Performance and MUSI30066 Performance are only available to students studying Music MA and who are on the performance pathway.
MA Composition of Music for Film and Television   180    

Award requirements

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 unit is 50 out of 100.

For detailed rules on the award of credit, reassessment and award of a qualification please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.

Degree classifications:

A classification will be awarded in the following qualifications:

  • Taught postgraduate Masters degree, including a Master of Research (MRes)
  • Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications
  • Exit awards of Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates in designated programmes (as described in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.

A classification is not awarded for exit awards where students are required to withdraw from the programme on academic grounds.

The overall final programme mark is calculated as the average of all unit marks in the programme, weighted by credit point value.

The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:

  • Distinction = final programme mark of 70+
  • Merit = final programme mark of 60-69
  • Pass = final programme mark of 50-59
  • Fail = final programme mark of 49 or less

* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.

Diploma/certificate stages:

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 100 must be at level 7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.