Student Profiles: What Our Students Think of Us
Here are some comments from students who recently graduated from ICMuS:
- ‘Had a fantastic time. Developed musical skills, self confidence and ultimately a career.’
- ‘I loved everything about the course I was studying. I liked being able to choose modules and tailor the course to suit my interests and what my strengths were. I thought the library facilities were excellent and enjoyed researching the topics for the essay modules. I loved being in the choir and orchestra and performing in the concerts in the King’s Hall and the Sage Gateshead. I enjoyed going up to Dundee for a concert we did there. I think I enjoyed singing the “Chichester Psalms” the best!’
- ‘I was able to gain a degree in a subject about which I was passionate. This opened up lots of career pathways to me which would not have been an option had I gone to music college.’
- ‘The course itself transformed my view, and appreciation of music. I am indebted to my lecturers.’
- ‘Newcastle was the most wonderful place for me to study – great encouragement and inspiration from staff and scope to pursue particular lines of enquiry. Beyond praise in my case!’
- ‘I wanted to learn more about a subject I was passionate about: I did. You can’t do music alone (at least, not well): without noticing I learned about working with people in all undergraduate years as well as people in the “real” world outside the student body. I don’t think this is so prevalent in other subjects.’
- ‘Newcastle provided me personally with numerous opportunities for performing with a variety of ensembles and in many different styles and genres (both within the university and outside). Equally some of the academic modules allowed me to develop interests in more specialised repertoires, as well as developing a good level of critical thinking and also academic writing and musicological skills.’
- ‘I had a chance to choose from a wide range of available courses, which I wouldn’t find anywhere else.’
- ‘Because of the mix of other musicians in the department from the different courses, I was exposed to lots of different types of music I hadn’t encountered before.’
Below, some of our students comment on why they chose to study on a particular degree at Newcastle:
The BA (Hons) in Music
Here are some of the reasons our students chose this course:
- ‘I felt this course had a more diverse range of modules to choose from compared to music courses at other universities. Many of these were not your “run of the mill” music modules and ones which I felt would interest and challenge me more. My school music teacher also studied here and recommended the course and university to me.’
- ‘The wide opportunities to participate in high quality performances through the University were a major factor.’
- ‘Because I wanted to study Music with a view to teaching and it provided a broad overview of most areas of music: several periods of history, theory, harmony, counterpoint, fugue, orchestration, composition, performance.’
- ‘The high quality of lecturers in the area of popular music, society and culture. The range of scholarly areas and classes on offer was fantastic.’
- ‘The course looked like it gave an opportunity to study a varied curriculum covering many areas and subjects.’
- ‘To have a more rounded knowledge of repertoire and to be able to focus on composition and performance in particular.’
- ‘Excellent staff. Good range of subjects/interests.’
- ‘Learning more about the areas of music I am interested in, gaining experience in playing and singing with different orchestras and choirs.’
- ‘I wanted to study music. I came for interview and immediately fell in love with the University.’
BMus (Hons) with a year abroad
Here are some of the reasons our students chose this course:
- ‘The opportunity to study abroad, and the free musical instrument tuition. I also like the system of picking a ‘Major’ study in the final year – the freedom to really focus my studies on what mattered to me was important.’
- ‘Because of the content of the course and the reputation of the lecturers.’
- ‘Unsure of whether to apply to [music] “college” institutions, Newcastle seemed to provide a balance between practical and academic musical studies. The opportunity to study abroad was also very important to me.’
BMus (Hons) Popular and Contemporary Music
Here are some of the reasons our students chose this course:
- ‘Technology specialism and equipment, course structure, amount of options available.’
- ‘I had completed an HND in music and wanted a course that would develop my knowledge of music research and Newcastle offered this.’
- ‘It was the natural progression from my HND in Music Production.’
- ‘The high quality of lecturers in the area of popular music, society and culture. The range of scholarly areas and classes on offer was fantastic.’
- ‘The opportunities to concentrate on performance and composition.’
- ‘I was attracted to the variety of research areas (popular music, folk, classical…).’
The BMus in Folk and Traditional Music
Here are some of the reasons our students chose this course:
- ‘I chose this course as this is what I am really interested in, and there are not any places around who offer anything similar in England.’
- ‘I studied traditional music, a course unavailable elsewhere, and I knew of my tutors by reputation.’
- ‘Because of the heavy emphasis on performance.’
- ‘Folk & Traditional music has been a long held interest and I wanted to study it in depth.’
- ‘I’d always been interested in folk and traditional music and in unaccompanied singing.’
‘Good reputation and location.’