Music BA(Hons)

Analysing and exploring the basics of music-making, you’ll study performance, critical listening, composition, recording, theory and notation. 

Modules

Audio Cultures and Critical Theory

In an age that’s seeing rapid technological changes and huge political, social and financial shifts across the globe, this module explores sound and music practices as they evolve within ever-changing audio cultures.  

Composition Studies: The Elements of Music

You’ll be looking at music across a range of styles, establishing theories and techniques that consolidate, challenge and develop an understanding of the main elements of music: melody, lyrics, harmony, rhythm, form and timbre.  

Performance Studies: Self and Sound

In this module, you’ll delve into a range of issues pertinent to the performer, from theories of embodiment and authenticity to creative processes of interpretation and critical listening, to skills in stage craft and dealing with anxiety.  

Core Music Practice 

This module considers a wide variety of approaches and roles within the vast and broadly termed ‘music industry’. The module covers fundamental key skills needed by professionals, such as communication, collaborative work, independently managed self-discipline and a strong work ethic.  

Music Technologies

Here, you’ll explore a range of music technologies relevant to the contemporary musician. Through lectures and workshops, you’ll learn and develop new skills, while seminars provide an opportunity to explore the role of technology in a range of musical styles. 

Contemporary Techniques

Focusing on a number of key twentieth-century principles, you’ll question what music can be. A series of miniature projects will explore important techniques/ideas/principles, along with their socio-historical context.

You’ll choose from specialist modules like Film Music, Music Education, Studio Composition, and the Music Business. Other modules will explore the latest trends in the music scene, and the right career opportunities for you. There’ll also be opportunities to study abroad with one of our partner institutions. 

Modules

Creative Writing and Research in Virtual Music

This module explores the interdependency of technology, language and culture. You’ll undertake a written project based on either self-promotion or the analysis and evaluation of a relevant case study. Either project will need to carefully consider context, module concepts, critical reflection, thorough research and appropriate language. 

Music Innovations

You’ll consider in detail new and innovative music that is being produced now. Weekly lectures will cover trends and today’s music of interest across a range of styles, detailing contexts, innovations, artist case studies and relevant techniques.  

Professional Music Practice

This module moves you towards the realities of working in the sound and music industries as a professionally-minded creative individual. You’ll continue the acquisition, development, deployment and evaluation of your specialist skillset. Strong emphasis will be placed on the ability to evaluate your practice with respect to professional contexts, as well as seeking out future development and career opportunities.  

Applied Music

In this module you’ll consider real-world applications of your music-making, and ways of adapting your practice to particular professional scenarios while preserving your individuality.  

Optional modules

Voice
Timbre
Supersonic
The Working Musician: Reproduce; Arrange; Mutate
The Hit Machine
The Music Educator
Music and Moving Image
Creative Performance Technology 

You can choose to take an optional placement year after your second year on a three-year programme. 

You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the RealWORKS employability team. 

Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. 

How you’ll study during your placement year 

You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. 

You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. 

Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. 

You’ll begin by gaining professional experience with an independently organised specialist project – anything from overseas community projects to working in a UK record label. When you return, you’ll work on self-devised projects, like writing an album, putting on a major performance, or composing a film score. 

Modules

Specialist Practice in Context

This module is designed to help you realise your professional aims and ambitions by developing an in-depth, specialist understanding of the relationship between your practice and context. 

Dissertation

The dissertation module provides an opportunity for you to carry out in-depth research and critical analysis of a topic relevant to the direction and development of your practice. It’s also a further opportunity for you to gain and develop skills in the structuring, protocols and conventions associated with effective academic and discursive writing. 

Professional Portfolio