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Postgraduate

MA Songwriting (Online)

Course details

Introduction

As a professional songwriter, you require a highly advanced set of skills, from lyric writing to music production, and the industry knowledge to take your song from a creative idea to release. Our MA Songwriting (Online) is designed to give you the tools to establish a sustainable career in songwriting. You will define your creative voice and become part of a global artistic community, graduating with a portfolio of work to launch you into the music industry.

Key Features

Designed for emerging and professional artists, the one-year full-time, or two-year part-time master’s in Songwriting is delivered online, giving you the space for independent study and self-development. You will learn as part of a community of songwriters, exchanging ideas and skills, and forging life-long connections.  

You will also have the opportunity to work together in-person during a week-long songwriting intensive; this will be held during the summer at our music building in Greenwich, London. Modelled on our festival CoLab and Warner Chappell’s Songwriting Camps, you will work collaboratively, with lectures and masterclasses from world-leading artists and industry professionals, and access to the recording studios to develop tracks for your portfolio. 

The core curriculum consists of modules in Songwriting, Music Production, and Industry Studies. Additionally, you will have Research Lab and your Personal Specialism Project, enabling you to explore your interests and either create a professional project or curate a performance. 

You will approach songwriting with a research-led ethos, understanding its relationship with art, culture and industry. When you graduate, you will have a well-rounded and informed awareness of audience and markets, and a clear strategy to publish and monetise your work. 

Our master’s focuses on innovation and industry relevance, equipping you with skills and insights for success in an ever-evolving music industry. You and your creative identity are central to your learning, and you will grow holistically amongst a like-minded community of artists, teachers and industry professionals.

This course is subject to validation. 

Apply on UCAS Conservatoires

Key Facts

UCAS
815F
Location
Online
Duration
1 year (full-time), 2 years (part-time)
Start Date
September (subject to validation)

Fees

2025-26

MA Songwriting (Full-time)
Home £12670
MA Songwriting Year 1
£6970 (2025/26)
MA Songwriting Year 2
£7180 (2026/27)
Find out more about discounts/waivers

Key Dates

  • All applications to have been received

  • Registration & Welcome Week

  • Autumn Term

  • Spring Term

  • Summer Term

  • Summer Intensive (in-person)


Detailed Information

Your curriculum will cover the broad range of skills required of Songwriters in today’s music industry: 

Songwriting (Three Modules)  

There are three modules in the core Songwriting subject area that sit at the heart of the programme: Songwriter’s Toolbox, Songwriting to a Brief, Songwriting Portfolio. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of Songwriting techniques, a systematic and personalised approach to your work, and a professional approach to the art of commercial songwriting through regularly creating, performing and critiquing work.  

Songwriter’s Toolbox will develop your technical artistry in lyric writing, employing poetic devices and storytelling, and exploring established processes such as ‘destination writing’, cut-up technique, and hook writing. Pairing this with your learning from the Musicianship module, you will convey meaning, emotion, and storytelling through your songs with confidence and originality. 

Songwriting to a Brief replicates the demands that will be placed on you as a professional songwriter. Working in partnership, you will create effective, compelling and commercially viable material. To achieve this, you will engage with examples, taking an analytical approach to further your own writing skills. 

Songwriting Portfolio applies your learning from completed modules. You will create a professional standard portfolio of songs, and evaluate your work and the processes that informed your creative output. 

This module will include three masterclasses led by world leaders in the discipline, in addition to your scheduled classes and individual tuition.  

 

Musicianship for Song (Two Modules) 

Musicianship for Song enhances your craft by deepening your understanding of melody, harmony, rhythm, and form. Cultivating aural and transcription skills, you will analyse popular music repertoire to then apply and shape your own work. 

Songwriting Repertoire and Context 

You will develop skills in analysing songs from western and non-western traditions. Delving into reception theory, semiotics and critical perspectives, you will research, investigate and discuss songs’ meanings and socio-political contexts. This will enable you to place your own portfolio in a wider socio-political and personal context, and foster deep meaning in your work. 

Music Production for Songwriters 

Music Production 1 and Music Production 2 are designed to progressively enhance your skills in music production, moving from intermediate concepts to advanced techniques. The module is structured to prepare you for creating industry-standard recordings, leveraging modern production environments that range from mobile set-ups, such as laptops, to home studios equipped with various DAWs. This module offers the opportunity to create a professional portfolio, transforming initial song ideas into refined productions; a skill that is highly sought by publishers, record labels and industry representatives. 

 

Industry Studies (Three Modules) 

You will learn about the legal frameworks, contracts, intellectual property rights, and negotiation strategies essential for protecting the your interests as a songwriter. You will carry out research into artist brands, trends and audiences focusing on how to build and manage a music brand, understanding industry trends, and engaging audiences through digital marketing. You will address music release strategies, distribution channels, performance metrics and analytics and talent discovery. As you progress through the module, you will be guided in creating your personal brand and career development, networking, work-life balance, and financial planning for sustained success in the music industry.

The module is delivered in three distinct components, and culminates in a final assessment that is drawn from options to suit your artistic development needs.

Defining the Music Industry

You will explore how the artist interacts with the music industry gaining an in-depth understanding of ownership, rights and the monetisation of your music. You will learn how to set up your own label and utilise crowdfunding platforms, merchandising and revenue streams from customisable products such as vinyl and limited-edition releases.

Marketing

You will develop an awareness of brand identity, fan development tools, market research, engaging audiences, segmentation and divergent methods of promotion to include social media and digital campaigns. Promoting live events online and in person will be presented as an option.

Release strategies

You will investigate different release schedules, format decisions, and gain a comprehensive understanding of playlists, algorithms and evaluation.

 

Personal Specialism Project 

You will undertake an individual project exploring an area of your musical interest or songwriting practice. There are three project strands, all of which develop learning gained in the Research Lab module.  

Performance Project 

You will create a performance of your original material, together with a critical and reflective commentary.  

Research Project 

Using a distinct research methodology, you will explore an area of interest in music and the music industry. This can be submitted in a variety of formats such as audio, audio-visual recordings, an online documentary, dissertation, or website. 

Workplace Project 

You will experience the workings of a music-based organisation, individual performing ensemble, or gigging and touring, evidencing your learning through a critical and reflective diary and report. You will identify and arrange this with a suitable organisation yourself. 


Entry Requirements

  • A degree, or equivalent training and/or professional experience is normally required. For entry, applicants are normally expected to hold a good pass in a BA, BMus (Hons) or equivalent qualification. The programme welcomes applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree but can demonstrate equivalent previous study and/or experience. Applicants without a degree will be required to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning to demonstrate suitability for postgraduate study.
  • Considerable professional experience in songwriting and/or performance settings, which should normally be current or in the last three years.
  • (for International Students) IELTS Academic 6.5 in all areas.

Applicants to the programme are required to apply through UCAS Conservatoires (course code 815F). Upon application applicants are invited by the Trinity Laban admissions team to commence the online audition and interview process.

Selection onto the programme is subject to a two-step process.

1. Assessment of Songwriting – materials to be uploaded to Embark

  • Portfolio of three songs (to include at least one video of the applicant performing)
  • Spoken introduction. Talk about yourself and why you would like to do the course, your musical ambitions and approaches to songwriting.

Applicants are required to upload a portfolio of three original songs written and composed. At least one of the songs must be a performed by the applicant. It is important to present supplementary lyric sheets, scores, and screenshots of production techniques (where appropriate). Two of the works may be performed by somebody else and one work may be co-written (these must be fully credited and state the roles played in creating the material). In addition to the portfolio, applicants are required to record a 3-minute video statement describing why they wish to study songwriting and their suitability for the programme.

2. Interview (if selected, following a review of the submitted materials).

Applicants will be asked to discuss their portfolio and their sources of inspiration, processes and techniques. It is an opportunity to research ideas and discuss musical identity and to articulate career goals. We will also be able to discuss technical capability and preparation for online learning.

For information on the application process, see Music Auditions.

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