Candidates can choose any topic related to any musical subject, theory or focus. Once the academic registrar has accepted the dissertation title and subject matter, the maximum time under each diploma level applies.
If a candidate prefers to submit more than one essay, the titles and content must not share the same source material or be on a closely-related subject.
The viva section of the examination may be conducted by post at the discretion of the examiner.
Details of the available dissertation examinations are listed below:
| Diploma |
DipNMSM |
| Outline Proposal |
150 words |
| Maximum course duration |
6 months |
| Essays |
1 |
| Length (excluding references) |
5,000 words |
| Appendicies |
Optional |
| References (Havard) |
No |
| Bibliography |
No |
| Viva |
No |
| Diploma |
ANMSM |
| Outline Proposal |
200 words |
| Maximum course duration |
9 months |
| Essays |
1-2 |
| Length (excluding references) |
7,500 - 9,000 words |
| Appendicies |
Yes |
| References (Havard) |
Optional |
| Bibliography |
Yes |
| Viva |
15 minutes |
| Diploma |
LNMSM |
| Outline Proposal |
250 words |
| Maximum course duration |
18 months |
| Essays |
1-2 |
| Length (excluding references) |
11,000 - 12,000 words |
| Appendicies |
Yes |
| References (Havard) |
Yes |
| Bibliography |
Yes |
| Viva |
20 minutes |
| Diploma |
FNMSM |
| Outline Proposal |
300 words |
| Maximum course duration |
24 months |
| Essays |
1-3 |
| Length (excluding references) |
13,500 - 15,000 words |
| Appendicies |
Yes |
| References (Havard) |
Yes |
| Bibliography |
Yes |
| Viva |
30 minutes |
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