Multitudinous combinatorial structures are counted by generating functions satisfying a composition scheme F(z)=G(H(z)). The corresponding asymptotic analysis becomes challenging when this scheme is critical (i.e., G and~H are simultaneously singular). The singular exponents appearing in the Puiseux expansions of G and H then dictate the asymptotics. In this work, we first complement results of Flajolet et al. For a full family of singular exponents of G and~H. Motivated by many examples (random mappings, planar maps, directed lattice paths), we consider a natural extension of this scheme, namely F(z,u)=G(uH(z))M(z). We also consider a variant of this scheme, which allows us to analyse the number of H-components of a given size in~F. These two models lead to a rich world of limit laws, where we identify the key rôle played by a new universal three-parameter law: the beta-Mittag-Leffler distribution, which is essentially the product of a beta and a Mittag-Leffler distribution. We prove (double) phase transitions, additionally involving Boltzmann and mixed Poisson distributions, with a unified explanation of the associated thresholds. We also obtain moment convergence and local limit theorems. We end with extensions of the critical composition scheme to a cycle scheme and to the multivariate case, leading to product distributions. Applications are presented for random walks, trees (supertrees of trees, increasingly labelled trees, preferential attachment trees),triangular P\'olya urns, and the Chinese restaurant process. Joint work with Markus Kuba and Michael Wallner.