Bachelor's degree
In Belfast City
Description
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Type
Bachelor's degree
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Location
Belfast city (Northern Ireland)
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Duration
3 Years
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Start date
Different dates available
Overview The study of Music encompasses performance, music history, composition, theory, analysis, music technology and ethnomusicology. The School of Creative Arts at Queen's has a rich tradition of high-quality teaching and research in all these areas. Why Queen's?Facilities: the School of Creative Arts has two major recital venues, excellent recording facilities, a collection of percussion and keyboard instruments, and world-class electronic and computer music facilities. Partnerships: the School has partnerships with the Ulster Orchestra, the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, and the Moving on Music initiative. The School also organises the internationally-renowned Sonorities Festival of Contemporary Music. Placement: past students have gained work placement with organisations such as the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Ulster Orchestra. Study Abroad: the School has an Erasmus agreement with the University of Athens in Greece. There are also opportunities to study in Canada, the USA and Australia.
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About this course
Entry Requirements Selection Criteria In addition to the entrance requirements below, it is essential that you read the How We Choose Our Students pdf prior to submitting your UCAS application. Entrance Requirements A-level: BBB including A-level Music. Where A-level Music is not offered then A-level grades BBB plus Grade VIII Theory of Music (ABRSM, Trinity-Guildhall or LCM (not Popular Music Theory)) would be acceptable. AS-level Music is not acceptable in lieu of A-level Music. Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3H4H4/H3H3H3H3H3...
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Subjects
- Music
- Composition
- School
- Teaching
- Quality Training
- Music History
- Quality
- Music Technology
- Technology
- Public
- Project
- Musicology
- University
Course programme
Course Content (including module information)
As a basis for specialisation in performance, composition and musicology, students take modules in music history, harmony and analysis.
Level 1
Includes four core modules in Harmony and Music History, plus two optional modules chosen from:
- Composition
- Ethnomusicology
- Music Technology
- Performance
(Optional modules may be from another subject altogether)
Level 2
Includes two core modules in Analysis and History, plus four optional modules chosen from:
- Composition
- Ensemble Performance
- Improvisation
- Musicology (at least 3 modules offered)
- Music Technology
- Performance
- Traditional Irish Music
(Up to two optional modules may be in another subject)
Level 3
At Level 3, students take at least one module in a Music History special subject, plus a range of options chosen from:
- Composition
- Musicology
- Performance
- Dissertation
- Work Placement
(Up to two optional modules may be in another subject)
The Composition, Dissertation and Performance modules can be double weighted.
Students may also undertake a work placement in a musically-related field.
Assessment & FeedbackAssessment: The ways in which you are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations, which, in the case of Music, may take the form of a listening test. Practical modules include an end-of-year performance which, in the case of Year 3 students, takes the form of a public recital. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Module Outline Document which is provided to all students
Feedback (general): As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:
- Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
- Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
- Placement employer comments or references.
- Online or emailed comment.
- General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
- Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
- Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
- Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.
Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.
Learning and TeachingAt Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.
On the Bachelor of Music degree a range of learning experiences are provided which enable students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. More specifically, the BMus lays a firm foundation for students who wish to pursue a career in music such as performing, composing, researching, teaching and many others. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:
- Lectures: introduce basic information and ideas about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback, and receive advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
- Practicals and Workshops: where you will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts. The most common example of this is in performance modules, where, in addition to your one-to-one lessons, you will gain vital experience by performing in front of your classmates and, in the case of workshops, in front of leading professional instrumentalists and singers. If you choose to take a performance module, you will be expected to attend a platform or seminar class every week, at which you will perform at least 3 times per year, on top of which there are plenty of opportunities during the year for public recitals. Composition students also have the chance to get their works performed by professionals from their first year onwards.
- E-Learning technologies: Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project-based work, etc.
- Seminars/tutorials: Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide a vital opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups: being able to speak in public, and to defend your arguments, is an important skill irrespective of your future employment.
- Self-directed study: This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out. The amount of self-directed study required varies from module to module, but typically amounts to 8-10 hours per week per module. Music students taking performance modules should allow extra time for practicing their instrument or singing.
- Work placements: Students may opt for a Work Placement module in Year 3. This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity.
- Supervised projects: In final year, you have the opportunity to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that you have chosen, whether in the Dissertation or Special Project modules, or in a Directed Study. You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you on at least 2 occasions during the write-up stage.
- Personal Tutor: Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during all three years of their degree who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.
- Study Abroad: There are a number of opportunities for studying abroad, both in Europe (Erasmus) and the US
Additional information
Music