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Skoða vefinn á ÍslenskuMusic Composition MA/M.Mus
The international MA programme in composition enables the student to develop his/her artistic and theoretic activity in a stimulating creative and critical environment, with access to the staff’s wide professional experience and theoretic knowledge and supported by an inspiring learning community.
Upplýsingar um nám eru á ensku hjá námsleiðum þar sem kennslutungumál er enska.
Programme information is provided in English, as the language of MA programme in composition is English.
About the programme
Students attend private lessons with a composition tutor but they also interact with each other in collective composition classes. The school collaborates with professional musicians who give workshops where students‘ works are rehearsed and discussed. Besides this, students meet once a week to either analyse notable compositions, discuss their research or have formal discussions on artistic or professional topics of their own choice. Gradually, each student defines his/her own field of research and creation and finishes the programme with a Master’s project composed of a musical composition and a paper. The balance may be either: a) A 20 credit composition and a 10 credit paper b) A 10 credit composition and 20 credit paper, or c) a final project which focuses almost exclusively on the practical aspect. In that case, the musical project should amount to 26 credits and be complemented by a four credit reflection on the student’s personal creative process. Students are offered the opportunity to have their final project performed by the Caput Ensemble at a graduation concert
Structure of the programme
Understandably, the subject of composition is by far the largest item in the syllabus, generating almost half the credits in the first three terms.
Other compulsory courses occur in the first two terms. These are: a course in sound technology, either electronic or instrumental, a course on artistic research, a course on music analysis and an introduction to some recent esthetic tendencies music composition. The programme offers a number of elective courses such as on the intersection of music and other arts, on critical art practices, on film scoring, orchestration and vocal and choral textures. Furthermore, within the department, there is a big variety of courses, such as participation in the department’s experimental music ensemble and a course on video editing among other things. The third term offers, if required, a specialised support to the student’s own research. The department is regularly involved in international collaborations, and students can apply for taking a term as exchange students abroad at one of thirty affiliated institutes of the IUA.
After graduation
After the studies the student should have the theoretic and technical basis fitting his/her creative activity. The programme is also intended to strengthen the student’s grip on music in general, be it for the interpretation, research, editing, discussion or teaching of music. The possible field of action is therefore wide, in addition to the possibility to proceed to a PhD programme abroad. (IUA does not as of yet have a PhD programme in music, but one is being developed).
Application Process
Iceland University of the Arts employs a standard electronic application form.
The application process is in two steps, first submit the application and then pay the application fee. Please note: It is possible to save the application while working on it.
Admission Process
An admission committee assesses applications on the grounds of assessment of the submitted material, the applicant’s motivation and aim with the studying at the Iceland University of the Arts and the interview(s) with the applicant.
If the number of applicants meeting the admission requirements for the study programme falls below the minimum threshold, the programme will not be offered for the upcoming academic year. Applicants will be informed of this decision as soon as possible, and any confirmation fees paid will be refunded.
Opnað fyrir umsóknir
14. janúar 2026
Umsóknarfrestur
2. mars 2026
Umsóknum svarað
Apríl 2026
Verðskrá
Application
An application is not valid until the applicant has submitted the application and paid the application fee. Applicants must submit the following documents:
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1. Certified copy of degree certificate(s) and programme / course transcript(s) (PDF)
SkyldaApplicants should submit a detailed record of higher education up to the present, including programmes of study taken and grades achieved. This may be submitted in Icelandic or English. -
2. Reference from one referee (PDF)
SkyldaApplicants must submit one reference. The reference should not exceed one page. The reference can be submitted in Icelandic or English. Former students of the IAA don’t have to submit a reference.
Applicants add the referee (name and email) in the application form. When applicants have submitted the application, the referee will receive an email from the IAA asking him/her to submit a reference for the applicant.Applicants will receive a confirmation when the referee has submitted the reference. -
3. Letter of Motivation (PDF)
SkyldaThe Letter of Motivation should be written in English. -
4. Curriculum Vitae (PDF)
SkyldaApplicants must submit a CV of relevant education and professional experience, language proficiency and general information about the applicant. The CV should be written in English. -
5. Portfolio of works (PDF/URL)
SkyldaPortfolio of 5 scores with or without audio files are required for applicants in instrumental composition.Applicants in electronic composition and sound art must submit 5 works.Applicants for interdisciplinary studies (composing for film, theater etc.) must submit 5 original works. -
Admission Requirements
Applicants will have completed a BA degree in composition or the related fields of music theory or the arts. Non musical academic degrees are not excluded, especially on graduate and doctoral levels.
Applicants who do not have a BA degree in composition can be admitted to the programme provided they demonstrate a comparable knowledge, experience and technical ability in the field of musical composition.
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Language Requirements
The Master Programme of Composition is an international programme conducted in English.Students must be proficient in spoken and written English in the academic context. In case the admission committee has doubts regarding the applicant’s competence, he/she may be required to submit evidence of English proficiency.