Popular Music

The MA in Popular Music is designed for: performers; composers; songwriters and musicologists wanting to explore their creative and critical skills within their discipline.

Course	MA
Length	1 year FT 2 years PT
Start date	September 2011

Candidates are likely to graduates or professionals working in the music business who want to continue their development as creative musicians. The programme offers candidates the opportunity to shape their learning through a series of modules that enable them to integrate scholarly work with their own practice as a musician. Modules will consider current theoretical and practical debates in the subject area, and guide students through the kind of research methodologies required at MA level. Candidates are given the opportunity to negotiate the most effective means of approaching their area of study, with a view to producing an intensive study of their specialism.

As the programme progresses, candidates can start investigating some of these issues in the form best suited to the study of the subject. In other words, modules are carefully organised to help students produce exciting music in their chosen area. These areas, after negotiation with the tutors involved, revolve around the student's preferred method of exploration. In the final phase of the MA this will result in the production of a substantial final piece of work, for example, a large scale performance, a portfolio of original music, or a written dissertation.

Next: Modules

Students begin their study with Research Methods which is a core module. This introduces candidates to research methodologies and strategies appropriate to the study of performing arts and exemplars of application. A second core module The Mechanics of Music aims to equip students with the skills required to critically investigate performance, composition and text in support of their specialist discipline. Alongside this will be modules that allow students to intensively explore their chosen discipline (as performers, composer/songwriters or musicologists). This culminates in the final phase of the MA which results in the production of a substantial final piece of work, for example, a large scale performance, a portfolio of original music, or a written dissertation.

Next: Assessment

Delivery is by tutorial, seminar and workshop. Modules cover areas of research strategy, analysis, documentation and management, and require candidates to engage with, and develop their musical skills to an advanced level.

Assessment can take the form of performances, the submission of portfolios of original music, essays, practical presentations, lecture-demonstrations and oral assessments.

Assessment normally follows a pass/fail pattern although distinction may be awarded for outstanding work.

Next: Careers

Graduates of the MA Popular Music will be prepared for careers as composers and/or songwriters, performers, session musicians, musical directors, teachers, lecturers and a variety of other pathways.

Next: Entry requirements

Applicants will normally hold a first or upper second class honours degree in Music or Popular Music.

Applicants will be expected to attend an audition and/or interview. Where applicants are not progressing directly from a first degree, professional experience and expertise will be taken into account.

If you are in any doubt about your suitability for the programme please contact the programme leader.

Beginning: Overview