Art and Design

Master of Music Composition

The Master of Music Composition is a postgraduate programme that trains musicians to become specialist composers. The programme prepares graduates to create original musical works, arrange and orchestrate music, and conduct compositional research in Kenya and beyond.

Core areas of study include advanced music theory, counterpoint, orchestration, electronic music composition, film scoring, African music composition, choral composition, instrumental composition, music technology, and research methods. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and extensive practical composition work across genres and traditions.

The programme is listed at Kenya Highlands University, Mama Ngina University College, and Kibabii University, with Kabarak University as a college. Kabarak University offers the programme through its School of Music and Media. Kenyatta University also offers a Master of Musical Arts in Composition through its Department of Music and Dance, the oldest university music department in Kenya.

Students develop competencies in composing original works, orchestration and arrangement, music notation software, electronic music production, film scoring, choral writing, instrumental composition, African music integration, and compositional research. The programme includes coursework, composition portfolio development, performances, examinations, and a research thesis or composition portfolio.

The programme is delivered over two years with flexible study modes including online options at Kabarak University. The programme is designed for musicians with a background in music theory and composition seeking to advance their compositional skills. Entry requires a Bachelor of Music or equivalent with demonstrated composition ability.

Graduates pursue careers as composers, film scorers, music arrangers, music producers, music educators, and arts administrators in media houses, film studios, educational institutions, and cultural organisations.

Skills Required

Original Music Composition
Orchestration and Arrangement
Counterpoint and Advanced Music Theory
Electronic Music and Music Technology
Film Scoring and Media Music
Choral Composition and Direction
African Music Composition and Integration
Music Notation Software Proficiency
Music Analysis and Criticism
Compositional Research and Scholarship

Key Subjects

Advanced Music Theory
Counterpoint and Fugue
Orchestration and Arrangement
Electronic Music Composition
Film Scoring
African Music Composition
Choral Composition
Music Technology and Production
Music Analysis
Compositional Research Methods

Certifications

ISCM Composer Membership
Society of Composers and Lyricists Membership

Specializations

Film and Media Scoring

Focuses on composing music for film, television, and media, including scoring techniques, synchronisation, orchestration for media, and music production for visual media.

Electronic Music Composition

Examines electronic music composition, digital audio workstations, synthesis, sampling, algorithmic composition, and creating music with electronic and digital tools.

Choral Composition

Covers choral composition, writing for voices, choral arrangement, managing choral ensembles, and composing for various choral settings from small groups to large choirs.

African Music Composition

Focuses on African music composition, integrating traditional African musical elements, ethnomusicological approaches, and composing works rooted in African musical traditions.

Orchestral Composition

Examines orchestral composition, writing for symphony orchestra, orchestration techniques, instrumental combinations, and composing large-scale orchestral works.

Music Production

Covers music production, recording techniques, mixing, mastering, and producing music for various genres and commercial applications.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 152,550
Private, up to: Ksh 185,200
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Music Theory
Counterpoint and Fugue
Orchestration and Arrangement
Electronic Music Composition
Film Scoring
African Music Composition
Choral Composition
Music Technology and Production
Music Analysis
Compositional Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

Advanced Music Theory and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines advanced music theory, harmonic analysis, form and structure, post-tonal theory, and analysing contemporary and classical musical works.
Counterpoint and Fugue
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers species counterpoint, invertible counterpoint, fugue writing, canon, and applying contrapuntal techniques in contemporary composition.
Orchestration and Arrangement
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines orchestration techniques, instrument characteristics, writing for orchestra, band, and chamber ensembles, and arranging music for various instrumental combinations.
Electronic Music Composition
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers electronic music composition, digital audio workstations, synthesis, sampling, algorithmic composition, and creating music with electronic and digital tools.
Film Scoring and Media Music
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines film scoring techniques, music for visual media, synchronisation, scoring for different film genres, and producing music for film and television.
African Music Composition
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers African music composition, integrating traditional African musical elements, ethnomusicological approaches, and composing works rooted in African musical traditions.
Music Business and Copyright
Year 2Semester 12 creditsElective
Examines music business, copyright law, publishing, royalties, music industry structures, and managing a career as a composer in the music industry.
Choral Composition and Direction
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines choral composition, writing for voices, choral arrangement, managing choral ensembles, and composing for various choral settings.
Music Technology and Production
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers music technology, recording techniques, mixing, mastering, music notation software, and producing music for various genres and commercial applications.
Composition Portfolio or Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original composition portfolio or research thesis demonstrating mastery of composition techniques and musical knowledge, assessed through submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Film and Media Scoring
Focuses on composing music for film, television, and media, including scoring techniques, synchronisation, orchestration for media, and music production for visual media.
Electronic Music Composition
Examines electronic music composition, digital audio workstations, synthesis, sampling, algorithmic composition, and creating music with electronic and digital tools.
Choral Composition
Covers choral composition, writing for voices, choral arrangement, managing choral ensembles, and composing for various choral settings from small groups to large choirs.
African Music Composition
Focuses on African music composition, integrating traditional African musical elements, ethnomusicological approaches, and composing works rooted in African musical traditions.
Orchestral Composition
Examines orchestral composition, writing for symphony orchestra, orchestration techniques, instrumental combinations, and composing large-scale orchestral works.
Music Production
Covers music production, recording techniques, mixing, mastering, and producing music for various genres and commercial applications.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Master of Music Composition programme begins with morning theory sessions covering advanced harmony, counterpoint, and orchestration. Students spend significant time in composition studios working on original pieces, using music notation software and digital audio workstations. Lectures on African music composition explore traditional musical elements and their integration into contemporary works. Film scoring sessions involve analysing film scenes, creating synchronised scores, and understanding the relationship between music and visual media. Electronic music sessions cover synthesis, sampling, and digital music production techniques. Choral composition workshops involve writing for voices, rehearsing with choral ensembles, and refining vocal arrangements. Students present their compositions in regular composition forums where peers and faculty provide feedback. Performance opportunities include having original works performed by university ensembles. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis or composition portfolio. The programme at Kabarak University offers flexible online options, while Kenyatta University provides traditional on-campus training with access to the oldest university music department in Kenya. The two-year programme culminates in a composition portfolio or research thesis defence.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's growing film, media, and entertainment industry creates increasing demand for skilled composers.
Programme covers diverse genres including African music, electronic music, film scoring, and choral composition, offering varied career paths.
Kabarak University offers online study options, providing flexibility for working professionals.
Two-year programme duration allows relatively quick completion compared to longer specialty programmes.

Against it

Music composition has a niche job market in Kenya, with limited full-time positions compared to other fields.
Programme requires prior music training and demonstrated composition ability, limiting access for those without music backgrounds.
Limited number of universities offer the programme, restricting geographic access for prospective students.
Music composition income can be irregular, with many composers working as freelancers rather than in salaried positions.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 73 art and design courses

Public153k to 153k

153k at Kibabii University153k at Kibabii University

Private158k to 185k

158k at Kabarak University (Online)185k at Kabarak University (Part-time)

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Kibabai ~152K/yr avg (kibu.ac.ke). Kabarak online ~158K, on-campus ~185K/yr.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Kabarak University offers financial aid for eligible students. UNESCO provides cultural grants for music and cultural heritage projects. The programme's creative arts focus attracts cultural sector funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Kabarak University Financial Aid
UNESCO Cultural Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
Kabarak University Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Kabarak University offers financial aid for eligible postgraduate students based on need and merit.
UNESCO Cultural Grants
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
UNESCO provides cultural grants for music and cultural heritage projects in developing countries.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is designed for musicians with demonstrated composition ability. Applicants must submit a portfolio of compositions. Two-year programme with full-time and online study options available at Kabarak University.

How you are assessed

4 components

Composition Portfolio
Practical40% of the mark
Portfolio of original compositions demonstrating mastery of various compositional techniques, genres, and styles, assessed by faculty panel.
Written Examinations
Examination20% of the mark
Written examinations covering music theory, orchestration, counterpoint, and music analysis, conducted at end of each semester.
Performance and Presentation
Practical20% of the mark
Performance of original compositions and presentations explaining compositional process, techniques, and artistic decisions.
Research Thesis or Composition Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a compositional topic or a major composition project demonstrating mastery of composition, assessed through submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kabarak University's Master of Music Composition is offered through its School of Music and Media. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate music training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kabarak University's Master of Music Composition is offered through its School of Music and Media.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Composer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 500,000
Creates original musical works for performance, recording, and publication, working independently or commissioned by ensembles, film producers, and media organisations.
Film Scorer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 600,000
Composes music for films, television, and media, creating original scores, synchronising music to visual content, and working with production teams.
Music Arranger
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 400,000
Arranges and orchestrates music for various ensembles, adapting existing compositions for different instrumental and vocal settings.
Music Producer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 500,000
Produces music for recording artists, managing recording sessions, guiding artistic direction, and overseeing music production from concept to release.
Music Educator
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Teaches music theory, composition, and performance in schools, colleges, and universities, training the next generation of musicians.
Arts Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages music and arts organisations, festivals, and cultural programmes, overseeing operations, funding, and artistic direction.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as composers, film scorers, music arrangers, music producers, and music educators in media, film, and educational institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Sibelius Music Notation Software
SoftwarePrimary
Professional music notation software for composing, arranging, and publishing musical scores, widely used by composers and arrangers.
Logic Pro Digital Audio Workstation
SoftwarePrimary
Digital audio workstation for music production, recording, editing, mixing, and composing electronic and acoustic music.
MIDI Keyboard Controller
Equipment
MIDI keyboard controller for inputting musical notes into composition software, playing virtual instruments, and composing music digitally.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for music research, analysing compositional data, and conducting musicological research studies.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Music composition is only for naturally talented musicians.
While natural talent helps, composition is a learned skill requiring extensive training in theory, orchestration, counterpoint, and music technology, which this programme provides.
Music composition has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's growing film, media, and entertainment industry creates demand for composers in film scoring, advertising, television, and digital media.
Composition is only about classical music.
The programme covers diverse genres including African music, electronic music, film scoring, choral composition, and contemporary commercial music.
Music composition cannot be studied online.
Kabarak University offers the programme online, using digital tools for music notation, production, and collaborative composition.
This degree is only useful for becoming a music teacher.
While teaching is one career path, graduates also work as film composers, music producers, arrangers, and independent artists in the creative industry.
African music is not covered in formal composition training.
The programme includes African music composition, integrating traditional African musical elements and ethnomusicological approaches into contemporary compositional practice.