Overview
The MA in Scoring for Film & Visual Media prepares composers to write, orchestrate, produce, and mix cinematic music for feature films, episodic television, video games, and commercials. Working with live orchestral recording sessions, DAW mockups, and interactive middleware (Wwise, FMOD), you will build an industry-ready portfolio under the mentorship of veteran screen composers.
MA in Scoring for Film & Visual Media is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 18 months, and the credit total is 180. Students move from Dramatic Theory & Spotting for Picture through Dramatic Theory & Spotting for Picture; Advanced Orchestration & Score Preparation; Digital Orchestral Mockups & Template Design; Interactive Game Audio & Adaptive Music Systems; Conducting & Live Studio Recording Session; Major Scoring Portfolio & Industry Showreel, and finish on Major Scoring Portfolio & Industry Showreel.
Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students justify a marketing decision with evidence rather than a slogan. Reading is a brief, a channel note, and a measurement plan. The artefact a marker expects is a campaign or content recommendation with audience, channel, and measure.
The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Compose compelling dramatic themes synchronized precisely to picture Master virtual instrument mockups and orchestral score preparation in Dorico/Sibelius Conduct live recording sessions with professional ensemble musicians
Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass.
The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Who This Programme Is For
- ✦Composers, orchestrators, and arrangers seeking film and game careers
- ✦Music graduates targeting cinematic media composition
- ✦Producers wanting to master large-scale dramatic orchestration
Faculty spotlight
Professor Richard Blackwood leads Dramatic Orchestration and live conductor masterclasses.
Programme Structure & Delivery
Coursework
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Assessment
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Learning Outcomes
- ✦Compose compelling dramatic themes synchronized precisely to picture
- ✦Master virtual instrument mockups and orchestral score preparation in Dorico/Sibelius
- ✦Conduct live recording sessions with professional ensemble musicians
- ✦Implement adaptive non-linear music for video games in Wwise and FMOD
Career Pathways
- ✦Film & TV Composer
- ✦Video Game Audio Lead
- ✦Orchestrator
- ✦Music Editor
- ✦Cinematic Sound Designer
- ✦Commercial Music Producer
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
Curriculum
Semester 1 — Dramatic Scoring & Orchestration
SCO501Dramatic Theory & Spotting for Picture- SCO501-M1 · Audience, offer, and the evidence for both — Dramatic Theory & Spotting for Picture
- SCO501-M2 · Channel choice and what the channel cannot do — Dramatic Theory & Spotting for Picture
- SCO501-M3 · Message, proof, and a measure of response — Dramatic Theory & Spotting for Picture
- SCO501-M4 · Ethics of persuasion and claims that must not be made — Dramatic Theory & Spotting for Picture
- SCO501-M5 · A campaign or content decision with a budget line — Dramatic Theory & Spotting for Picture
- SCO501-M6 · A recommendation a client could act on — Dramatic Theory & Spotting for Picture
30 creditsSCO502Advanced Orchestration & Score Preparation- SCO502-M1 · Audience, offer, and the evidence for both — Advanced Orchestration & Score Preparation
- SCO502-M2 · Channel choice and what the channel cannot do — Advanced Orchestration & Score Preparation
- SCO502-M3 · Message, proof, and a measure of response — Advanced Orchestration & Score Preparation
- SCO502-M4 · Ethics of persuasion and claims that must not be made — Advanced Orchestration & Score Preparation
- SCO502-M5 · A campaign or content decision with a budget line — Advanced Orchestration & Score Preparation
- SCO502-M6 · A recommendation a client could act on — Advanced Orchestration & Score Preparation
30 creditsSCO503Digital Orchestral Mockups & Template Design- SCO503-M1 · Audience, offer, and the evidence for both — Digital Orchestral Mockups & Template Design
- SCO503-M2 · Channel choice and what the channel cannot do — Digital Orchestral Mockups & Template Design
- SCO503-M3 · Message, proof, and a measure of response — Digital Orchestral Mockups & Template Design
- SCO503-M4 · Ethics of persuasion and claims that must not be made — Digital Orchestral Mockups & Template Design
- SCO503-M5 · A campaign or content decision with a budget line — Digital Orchestral Mockups & Template Design
- SCO503-M6 · A recommendation a client could act on — Digital Orchestral Mockups & Template Design
30 creditsSemester 2 — Game Audio, Live Scoring & Portfolio
SCO601Interactive Game Audio & Adaptive Music Systems- SCO601-M1 · Audience, offer, and the evidence for both — Interactive Game Audio & Adaptive Music Systems
- SCO601-M2 · Channel choice and what the channel cannot do — Interactive Game Audio & Adaptive Music Systems
- SCO601-M3 · Message, proof, and a measure of response — Interactive Game Audio & Adaptive Music Systems
- SCO601-M4 · Ethics of persuasion and claims that must not be made — Interactive Game Audio & Adaptive Music Systems
- SCO601-M5 · A campaign or content decision with a budget line — Interactive Game Audio & Adaptive Music Systems
- SCO601-M6 · A recommendation a client could act on — Interactive Game Audio & Adaptive Music Systems
30 creditsSCO602Conducting & Live Studio Recording Session- SCO602-M1 · Audience, offer, and the evidence for both — Conducting & Live Studio Recording Session
- SCO602-M2 · Channel choice and what the channel cannot do — Conducting & Live Studio Recording Session
- SCO602-M3 · Message, proof, and a measure of response — Conducting & Live Studio Recording Session
- SCO602-M4 · Ethics of persuasion and claims that must not be made — Conducting & Live Studio Recording Session
- SCO602-M5 · A campaign or content decision with a budget line — Conducting & Live Studio Recording Session
- SCO602-M6 · A recommendation a client could act on — Conducting & Live Studio Recording Session
30 creditsSCO603Major Scoring Portfolio & Industry Showreel- SCO603-M1 · Audience, offer, and the evidence for both — Major Scoring Portfolio & Industry Showreel
- SCO603-M2 · Channel choice and what the channel cannot do — Major Scoring Portfolio & Industry Showreel
- SCO603-M3 · Message, proof, and a measure of response — Major Scoring Portfolio & Industry Showreel
- SCO603-M4 · Ethics of persuasion and claims that must not be made — Major Scoring Portfolio & Industry Showreel
- SCO603-M5 · A campaign or content decision with a budget line — Major Scoring Portfolio & Industry Showreel
- SCO603-M6 · A recommendation a client could act on — Major Scoring Portfolio & Industry Showreel
30 creditsAdmission requirements
Academic entry
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (minimum 2:2 or GPA 2.5/4.0)
English language
- English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)
Documents
- Statement of Purpose (500 words minimum) outlining your goals and fit for the programme
- Two academic or professional references with contact details
- CV or résumé documenting relevant education and professional experience
Programme questions
How long is the MA in Scoring for Film & Visual Media?+
The published duration is 18 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
Can I study this from my country?+
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
What does it cost?+
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
What are the entry requirements?+
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
How is the programme assessed?+
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Will this award be recognised where I live?+
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Durham University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
How do I apply?+
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@durhm.co.uk.
