Popular Music BA(Hons)

1st Year

You’ll study improvisation, songwriting, aesthetics, recording, group dynamics, reinterpretation, stage presence, visuals, live sound, and listening. We’ll introduce you to electronic instruments, vintage equipment, and the recording studio. Taking inspiration from popular musicians, you’ll develop an original style and approach based on art forms like poetry, film and visual art.

We’ll explore music through philosophy, critical thinking and debate. And you'll focus on improving the quality of your output through a combination of musicianship skills, creative experimentation and by developing an understanding of the contexts in which you wish to work as a creative specialist in popular music.

Modules

• Audio Culture and Critical Theory
• Playing Live: Creative Performance
• Making Popular Music: Technology and Aesthetics
• Core Music Practice
• Signs & Lyrics: Making Meaning in Popular Music
• Creative Recording: Studio Practice

2nd Year

You'll produce an EP expressing dark themes in mainstream and outsider pop, while honing your songwriting and technical studio skills. On top of learning about publishing, digital marketing, distribution, internet radio and music law, you’ll push your networking and strategic planning skills through talks from visiting industry speakers.

You’ll get involved in the live performance network as you take your work on a mini tour or specialise in managing another artist or band. You’ll also have the chance to study abroad with one of our partner institutions.

Modules

• Creative Writing and Research in Virtual Music Cultures
• Dark Sound: Reading Desire in Popular Music
• Professional Music Practice
• Enterprise: Innovative Practice in Contemporary Music Industries

Optional modules

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

3rd Year

We'll support you as you develop your professional practice and push your skills and projects - whether you write and promote an album, go on a UK or European tour, or take on an internship at a major management company or independent record label. You could also take take an alternative route, like an overseas charity project or leading music education in schools.

Modules

• Specialist Practice in Context
• Dissertation
• Professional Portfolio