Research subjects in Performing Arts at Huddersfield
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Why study a Performing Arts research degree at Huddersfield?
Undertaking a research degree in Performing Arts at Huddersfield means joining an internationally recognised research community spanning music, music technology, acting and performance.
- Our research encompasses areas including music performance, composition, musicology, music production, music technology, popular music, musical theatre, acting and performance, with a strong emphasis on practice-led research and creative enquiry.
- Huddersfield has an established international reputation for music research and was ranked 5th in the UK for Music research in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. Research students are supervised by leading researchers and practitioners and become part of an environment where creative practice, technological innovation and critical enquiry come together.
- Our research culture is supported by specialist research centres, regular seminars, international partnerships, industry connections and professional-standard facilities. From contemporary composition and sonic arts to music production, popular music and performance, you will have opportunities to develop ambitious research within a vibrant and collaborative community.
What are the benefits of a degree in Performing Arts?
As a Performing Arts research student at Huddersfield, you can benefit from:
- An internationally recognised research culture - join an established community with particular strengths in music, music technology and practice-led research.
- Expert research supervision - work with academics and practitioners recognised as leaders in their fields.
- A large postgraduate research community - join around 80 research students across the subject area, alongside approximately 18 academic supervisors and additional research fellows.
- Specialist research centres - connect with established centres supporting research in new music, music technology, production, sound studies and popular music.
- Professional-standard facilities - access recording and production studios, electronic music facilities, rehearsal and practice spaces, performance venues and specialist facilities for screen acting and performance.
- A strong practice-led research environment - develop research through creative practice across areas including composition, performance, music technology, sonic arts and acting.
- International and industry connections - engage with festivals, ensembles, organisations and collaborators working across contemporary music and the wider performing arts.
- A vibrant research culture - participate in regular research seminars, performances, festivals, conferences and opportunities for collaboration with fellow researchers and academic staff.
Research disciplines in Performing Arts
Music and Music Technology
Music and Music Technology research at Huddersfield is globally recognised and encompasses composition, musicology, performance and production.
Acting and Performance
Acting and Performance research at Huddersfield is a growing interdisciplinary field bringing together areas including theatre, dance, acting and performance.
Music research community and culture
The Performing Arts research environment at Huddersfield is international, collaborative and creatively driven; made up of around 80 research students and supported by approximately 18 academic supervisors as well as additional research fellows.
Regular research seminars bring staff and students together to share ideas, present work and engage with developments across their disciplines, helping to create an active and innovative research environment.
Our research community includes both UK and international researchers and benefits from connections with external organisations, festivals, performers and industry partners.
Researchers are supported by staff recognised as leaders in their fields and have access to professional-standard facilities for research involving composition, performance, production, recording, sound, music technology and performance practice.
Research centres
Centre for the Research in Music and Technology
The Centre for Research in Music and its Technologies (CRMT) includes research areas including music production, sound studies, songwriting and popular music. Its research explores the relationships between music, sound, creativity and technology.
Centre for Research in New Music (CeReNeM)
The Centre for Research in New Music is a hub for research in contemporary music, with particular strengths in composition, performance, improvisation, sonic arts and technology. It supports practice-led and interdisciplinary research and works with internationally recognised partners.
Music and Music Technology facilities
Our Music and Music Technology facilities are based primarily within the Richard Steinitz Building. Facilities include a principal 24 I/O SSL-based recording studio with an SSL AWS-924 console, two recording booths and a window into Phipps Hall.
Music equipment includes: a semi-anechoic chamber, a 24-speaker surround sound system for research, electronic music studios supporting sound design and spatialisation and Genelec monitoring and Mac-based production facilities.
Students can access specialist production studios supporting overdubbing, composition and foley, a live sound room, radio studio. 26 practice rooms and performance venues including St Paul's Hall and Phipps Hall.
Acting and Performance facilities
Researchers working in Acting and Performance can access specialist studio and rehearsal spaces supporting creative practice and collaboration.
Facilities include the Stewart Film Studios, purpose-built to support screen acting and media production, alongside specialist Performing Arts studios and rehearsal spaces.
Research strengths and industry collaboration
Research student stories and outputs
Our postgraduate researchers contribute to research and creative practice across a diverse range of areas.
Research projects
Our researchers contribute to major collaborative and externally funded projects that offer opportunities to explore new approaches to music, performance, sound and technology.
Industry links, partnerships and collaboration
Performing Arts research at Huddersfield is strengthened by connections with festivals, performers, ensembles and organisations working within the music sector.
Key collaborations include Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, NMC Recordings and Sound and Music, alongside international performers and ensembles including lovemusic, TAK, ELISION and Marco Fusi.
These relationships help connect research students with wider professional and creative communities and support collaboration between academic research and contemporary practice.
Huddersfield is also home to HCR Records, a record label dedicated to promoting new music and marketed by NMC Recordings, and the annual Electric Spring Festival, a five-day event focused on electronic music and technology.
Research outputs from the community also include publications with major academic publishers including Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press.
Useful links
Research fees and finance information
Find out more about tuition fees for research degrees, which cover your registration, tuition and supervision.
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