Key information
- Duration:
- Up to 4 years full time, 8 years part time
- Start date:
- Choose to start in September 2026, January 2027 or April 2027
- Apply by:
- 1 month before start (UK), 3 months before start (international)
At Sussex, we define music technologies in the widest sense – from instrument making, to studio production, to development of new musical forms in new media such as augmented realities or virtual worlds. If you’re interested in the study, development and performance of new musical technologies, this is the place for you.
You’ll:
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produce a portfolio of original creative work that advances practice and knowledge of music technologies
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write a 20,000-40,000-word dissertation demonstrating original research. Your dissertation will highlight ways in which your practice makes a substantial contribution to knowledge or understanding in your chosen field, and acknowledges existing scholarship and artistic practices.
Research in the technologies of music is very interesting to me as it exists at the borders of many different disciplines – one day I might be working on mathematics for signal processing, the next day I might be building a new instrument.”Dr Chris Kiefer
Reader in Musical Instrument Design
Areas of study
Our wide range of areas of study include:
- musical instrument design
- new interfaces for musical expression
- composition and performance practice
- interaction design and human-computer interaction
- studio technologies
- design research
- history, theory, culture and philosophy of music technology
- artificial intelligence and music
- installations
- livecoding
- collaborative and shared musical experiences
- sound synthesis and signal processing (analogue, digital, hybrid)
- augmented, embedded and hybrid instruments
- audiovisual composition
- augmented and virtual reality
- pedagogy
- notation
- music and robotics
- sensor and actuator technologies
- networked instruments.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Explore our free PhD webinars
Courses, applying and masterclasses – find out about postgraduate research at Sussex
March to July 2025
Entry requirements
| Degree requirements | You’re normally expected to have a Merit (an average of 60% overall) in a Masters degree and an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree. |
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| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
Please select your country from the list.
Argentina
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Australia
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Azerbaijan
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Bahrain
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Bangladesh
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Brazil
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Brunei
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Canada
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Chile
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
China
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Colombia
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Cyprus
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Denmark
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Ecuador
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Egypt
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
France
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Germany
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Ghana
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Greece
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Hong Kong
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
India
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Indonesia
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Iran
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Italy
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Japan
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Jordan
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Kazakhstan
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Kenya
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Kuwait
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Lebanon
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Malawi
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Malaysia
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Mexico
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Nepal
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Nigeria
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Norway
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Oman
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Pakistan
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Palestine
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Paraguay
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Peru
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Philippines
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Qatar
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Russia
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Saudi Arabia
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Singapore
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
South Africa
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
South Korea
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence of equivalent professional experience. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Spain
| Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a subject related to your chosen area of research. You will also be considered for this degree if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show evidence o |
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