Popular Music BA (Hons)

The course is divided into three stages, equating to three years of full-time study, each stage consisting of up to six single modules worth 20 credits each. This equates to 120 credits per year.

The modules in this programme correspond to particular themes of academic study shown below, the nature of each theme is summarised as follows:

Performance - This theme provides the practical underpinning of musical performance in an ensemble context. This includes the development of instrumental technique and skills and applicable music theory.

Composition and arrangement - This theme allows you to develop skills in music composition and arrangement as appropriate to the contemporary and commercial music sectors; in particular it allows the focus upon the application of technology in creative practice.

Music technology and production - This theme provides study of the technology of modern recording and production. Broadly it covers the technical features of modern recording studio technology and computer-based software applications including associated interface technologies.

Critical studies - This theme provides study of the history, context, and scholarship of popular music providing an opportunity for the students to develop research skills including Level 4 Personal Development Planning (PDP).

Professional Practice - This theme provides an opportunity to investigate associated business and vocational activities supporting Level 5 & 6 Personal Development Planning (PDP). Within any theme, the modules at a lower Level provide underpinning studies for those at a higher level.

At this stage you will focus upon the transition into creative Higher Education, engendering a culture of risk-taking, experimentation and process-based learning across both practice-based and theoretical modules. Level 4 modules will introduce the subject, its ethos, methodology and the strands of expertise that you will need to develop for future study. All modules at this Level are graded as either pass or fail.

• Performance Redefined (40 credit module)
• Innovations in Commercial Music (40 credit module)
• Introduction to the Art and Science of Recording (20 credit module)
• Music: Institutions, Industries and Audiences (20 credit module)

At this stage you will continue to develop experimentation and process-based learning into a more assured professional approach to your study. Level 5 modules will enable you to identify your strengths, career aspirations and self-confidence, including a period of professional work experience. Through these experiences, you will develop a distinctive personal voice aligned to your career aspirations and your consideration and understanding of audience and market.

• Performance Interpretation (40 credit module)
• Composition by Design (40 credit module)
• Introduction to Studio Production Techniques (20 credit module)
• Industry: Research and Practice (20 credit module)

Stage 3 further develops the your personal voice into a distinctive independent practice which enables you to pursue your ambitions in a changing world. Level 6 modules will provide you with the opportunity to extend, resolve and apply your accumulated knowledge and creative ideas into form, proposition and exhibition. You will be required to engage with independent projects and practical tasks and to transfer and apply your analytical skills to exercise personal judgement and manage your own scholarship. Emphasis will be placed on planning for the next phase of your career trajectory through self-promotion and more advanced and developed critical analysis.

• Music Festival (40 credit module)
• Creative Portfolio (40 credit module)
• Research Project (40 credit module)