Composition allows students to explore their creative language and horizons in relationship to contemporary compositional styles and challenges. Each student's creative work is developed and guided through supervision. There are no stylistic preferences and all contemporary styles are encouraged, including the use of new technologies. Students submit a portfolio of original compositions in place of a thesis. The portfolio should normally include one major work, the performance of which would occupy an entire evening (i.e. an opera). Part or all of the portfolio may consist of computer-based or electronic fixed-media works, interactive work or work involving new media. At the time of writing there is no requirement for an additional thesis or commentary to accompany the portfolio, but students are required to develop an understanding of the cultural context of their work. Candidates for the PhD in Musical Composition are normally admitted as probationary students for the first year of study, and on satisfactory completion of this first year are approved for registration for either MPhil (normally two years full-time) or PhD (maximum four years full-time).