Canterbury Christ Church University

AHRC Doctoral Studentship (PhD) in Musicology, Performance or Composition

Canterbury Christ Church University invites applications for an AHRC studentship in musical performance or composition.  Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, under the Doctoral scheme, the award will cover course fees and (for UK award holders) provide an annual tax free stipend of £13,590 (2011-12 rates). The award will be held in the Department of Music and Performing Arts. The successful candidate’s programme will commence in September 2012; the award will be held full-time for three calendar years. 

The closing date for the AHRC studentship applications is 1 April 2012.  

The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise confirmed our Music department’s international standing. Research by nine members of staff was included, of which the great majority (75%) was judged to be at least internationally recognised, and 10% world- leading. The university has subsequently invested strongly in Music’s staffing and facilities, in order to support its growing international research reputation. Three new members of full-time staff were appointed in 2011-12 in order to develop the department’s research profile, including Professor John Irving as Head of Music and Performing Arts. From October 2012 we will enjoy substantial additional practical and seminar space (including a new building for Music and a refurbished concert hall). Significant targeted investment in the department’s research environment has allowed the development of a strong series of research seminars and the hosting of several recent international conferences, attended by Krzysztof Penderecki (2009) and Arvo Pärt (2011). The department is noted for its collaborative research work, most especially with the Sounds New Contemporary Music Festival, offering its postgraduate composers and performers opportunities to participate in masterclasses, performances and workshops with, for example, Jonathan Harvey, Mark Anthony Turnage, Peter Hill, the London Sinfonietta, and Ensemble Klang. In addition to the department’s team of expert academic staff, Visiting Professors of Composition include Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and Paul Patterson.

The successful candidate will pursue the PhD full time, with a specialism in musicology, performance or composition. The department’s key research strengths presently include twentieth-century music; theory and analysis; baroque and classical music; historical performance practice; performance studies (including performance pedagogy and performance psychology); composition. Candidates should hold a good first degree in Music and must apply for the PhD programme simultaneously or in advance of applying for an AHRC studentship.  Further information about the Music Department at Canterbury Christ Church University are available at www.canterbury.ac.uk/arts-humanities/music/. 

Home (UK) students and those EU students who have been resident in the UK for a minimum of three years are eligible for a full award comprising fees and an annual maintenance grant. Other EU students are eligible for a fees-only award. Please note that if you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you will not be eligible for this funding. To see if you would be eligible for a full or fees only award, and for further information on the AHRC Studentship scheme, please refer to the AHRC's website www.ahrc.ac.uk

For further information, please contact the PhD programme director, Dr Eva Mantzourani at [log in to unmask] Application forms for the PhD programmes are available from, and should be returned direct to the Music Department, via Lucy Ross, at [log in to unmask]  (tel. 01227 782244).