Orchestral composition, digital scoring, and cinematic audio production
Online only
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.
Faculty spotlight
Professor Richard Blackwood leads Dramatic Orchestration and live conductor masterclasses.
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
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.
The published duration is 18 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
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.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
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.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Pulse College publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@acapulse.com.
Study online
Online tuition is free. Online examinations are free. There is no exam fee for online study. Dublin studio tuition and studio examinations are charged separately.
Accreditation & recognition
