Research Degree Programmes at Trinity Laban
Following validation from City University, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance offers a full range of research degrees at MPhil and PhD level. The courses we offer are:
- MPhil/PhD in Creative Practice: [Dance / Music / Collaborative Arts]
- MPhil/PhD in [Dance +/or Music] Science
- MPhil/PhD in [Dance +/or Music] Pedagogy
All programmes are research degrees, which include shared elements, such as induction, research skills training and occasional seminars, but mainly focus on regular one-to-one supervisions with two allocated members of Trinity Laban staff.
The options in creative practice are suitable for those whose main focus is in composition, choreography, performance, or any related activity which embodies practical components, including those whose research incorporates interdisciplinary collaborations. In addition, historical research projects that utilize archive resources at Trinity Laban are also admissible under this option.
The remaining awards are available for those specializing in empirical approaches to topics in music and dance research and those who wish to concentrate on educational and pedagogical aspects.
Research degree candidates normally register initially for Master of Philosophy (MPhil), giving time for students to develop methodology and refine their topic. This leads to an assessment of the project at a midway stage when registration may be considered for transfer to PhD.
Registration can be either in full or part-time mode and there are two intakes for all degrees in each academic year, one in January and one in September (from 2009). We also offer options for suitably experienced Staff Candidates to pursue doctoral study, and in appropriate cases, submission by prior publication is possible.
Applicants for the programme should have a good honours degree in a relevant subject and, preferably, a Masters qualification.
Candidates from overseas must also have sufficient command of English to study at doctoral level, equivalent to an IELTS score of 7.0 or above.
All candidates are required to submit a detailed research proposal, which outlines the area(s) of study to be undertaken and a description of how these correlate with existing areas of scholarship, both theoretical and practical. You will also be asked to state how the proposed research project is represented in terms of the research interests of Trinity Laban staff, and, if necessary, how the resources of the institution will be utilized.
The MPhil and PhD programmes are led by Dr. Jonathan Clark, Research Degree Programme Leader (telephone 020 8469 9545, email: joclark@trinitylaban.ac.uk). Dr. Clark welcomes informal queries relating to any aspect of potential postgraduate level research at Trinity Laban.
The Research Degree Programme sits within Creative Futures, Trinity Laban’s centre for research, enterprise and academic enhancement, which is led by Dr. Claire Mera-Nelson (telephone 020 8305 4388, email: cmera-nelson@trinitylaban.ac.uk).
For further details concerning the programme and the applications procedure, please download the guidance notes for applicants (78KB Word.doc) and an application form (96KB PDF file).
The City University Research Studies handbook, which contains the rules and regulations governing all awards, as well as practical information on word-counts and types of submission can be accessed at: http://www.city.ac.uk/adu/dps/research/research_student_guide.pdf
Download our Guidelines for AHRC Applicants here.
In addition please see the Supplementary Notes for Trinity Laban Research Students which can be downloaded here.