MSc by Research Music Technology

Module: 7MU018

Credits: 180

Period: 1

Type: Core

Locations: Walsall Campus; University of Wolverhampton in Stafford

The dissertation/portfolio is the sole means by which this Masters degree will be assessed. As this is a multi-disciplinary programme, the precise nature of the content and structure of the project will be determined by the individual. The Learning Contract will be negotiated and agreed by the student and the supervising team during the course of admission to the programme.

We have a strong postgraduate community with opportunities to attend events and encounter students across the full range of disciplines within the Faculty of Arts including Studio and Digital Art, Theatre, Music and Performance. You will also be invited to attend all guest lectures, performances and field trips that constitute a vibrant student experience at the University.

The University of Wolverhampton continues to develop state of the art facilities to greatly enhance your learning experience. The Performance Hub has a diverse range of fully equipped music teaching, performance and practice rooms (accommodating single person to large band / ensemble), two high-end professional recording studios, and two bespoke technology suites boasting sixty Apple iMacs running industry standard software including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Max, Pure Data and SuperCollider. In addition, EASE software is available for research projects on acoustic modelling.

Our two recording studios offer the perfect blend of digital and analogue technologies giving students the opportunity to combine classic analogue recording technique with the flexibility and reliability digital technology provides. As well as a dedicated live room each for recording, for increased flexibility and choice of room acoustic, any of the music rehearsal rooms surrounding each studio can also be patched into the studio's control room.

We are a thriving department of research active academics in music technology. Course staff specialise in traditional/well-established areas of music technology (studio production, film sound, audio synthesis and processing), flourishing areas of contemporary research (musical interaction, generative music), room acoustic modelling, acoustic measurements, musical acoustics, technology and minimalist aesthetics. If you are interested in a specific research area please contact Dr Aglaia Foteinou for further discussion.

Further information:

Mr Matt Bellingham, :

• Music computing;
• Algorithmic music system design;
• Procedural audio;
• Audio production;
• Assistive music technology;
• User interface design;
• Interaction design.

Dr Mat Dalgleish, :

• Music Computing;
• Music Interaction;
• Procedural Audio;
• Film Sound and Music
• Interactive Media
• Audiovisual Performance
• Histories of Electronic Music
• Sound Synthesis (Software and Hardware).

Dr Aglaia Foteinou, :

• Computer Modelling Methods for Acoustic Simulations
• Auralization Techniques and Evaluation
• Study of Acoustic Measurement Techniques in situ
• Perceptual
• Study of Architectural Acoustics
• Acoustic Reconstruction of Heritage Sites
• 3D sound reproduction and Binaural system;
• Measurements of acoustic material characteristics.

Dr Richard Glover, :

• Technology and minimalist aesthetics;
• Psychoacoustic, perception and cognition.

At the end of this course you will be able to demonstrate:

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of a variety of topical viewpoint in music technology, taking an independent and holistic perspective;
2. Select, interpret, develop and apply a variety of research methodologies and techniques appropriate relating to aspects such as technologised production and performance, reactive/interactive/non-linear media, and computational creativity (etc.) to practice through a systematic understanding of historical, contextual, philosophical, technical and scientific theories;
3. Develop analytical, critical, evaluative, and creative skills using a wide variety of hardware and software techniques and, where appropriate, actively design and develop their own.
4. Exercise personal autonomy in learning through effective self-organisation and management of workload;
5. Understand the possibilities afforded by the contemporary, expanded field of music technology (including its gaps and trends), and be able to position their own work, interests and aspirations within this wider context.

Location Mode Fee Year Home/EU Full-time £6400 per year 2020-21 Home/EU Part-time £3200 per year 2020-21 Home Full-time £6550 per year 2021-22 Home Part-time £3275 per year 2021-22 International Full-time £13350 per year 2020-21 International Full-time £13950 per year 2021-22

These fees relate to new entrants only for the academic year indicated for entry onto the course, any subsequent years study may be subject to an annual increase, usually in line with inflation.

Students will have a good undergraduate degree in Music Technology, Music Computing, Sonic Arts, creative applications of Computer Science or Human-Computer Interaction, or other a relevant subject field. Other graduates will be considered through interview/audition as appropriate, but deep engagement with audio/sound/music and familiarity with contemporary tools and ideas are expected. If you have relevant work experience in your subject area, this can also help you to get a place on a course. All applicants must submit an initial “Proposal for Study” upon which the learning contract can be agreed as a condition of admission.

Sample research proposal - English Literature

A good standard of written and spoken English is an important pre-requisite for postgraduate study. Student’s whose first language is not English, are required to hold an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or equivalent (

Postgraduate Loan (Home Fee Status):

You may be able to get a postgraduate student loan from Student Finance England of up to £11,750 to help pay for a Master’s degree. Applications are made through Student Finance England and more information on the regulations and eligibility criteria can be found at Masters Loans gov.uk.

* Any RPL will invalidate your eligibility as you must study a minimum of 180 credits

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as Overseas (International) students for fee purposes. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.

Postgraduate Loyalty Discount:

You can get 20% discount on a taught on-site postgraduate course if you’re a University of Wolverhampton Graduate.

The University offers a generous 20% Loyalty Discount to students progressing from an undergraduate programme to a taught postgraduate programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree as long as this is your first Masters level qualification.

The discount applies to the first year of enrolment only. Students who receive a loyalty discount are not entitled to any further tuition discount or bursary. For full terms and conditions click here.

Self-funded:

If you are paying for the fees yourself then the fees can be paid in 3 instalments: November, January and April. More information can be found by clicking here.

Sponsored - Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

Your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.

Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.

Charitable Funding:

You might also want to explore the possibility of funding from charitable trusts; please see the following websites Association of Charitable Foundations, Directory of Social Change or Family Action. Most charities and trust funds offer limited bursaries targeted to specific groups of students so you will need to research whether any of them are relevant to your situation.

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

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