Music
Learn music creative practice, theory, and historical and cultural studies as part of your Combined Studies degree.
About the Programme
UCAS Code: BA Combined Honours (Y001)
Your work in this subject will give you a foundation in the study of musicology and will also provide platforms for more advanced studies at honours level.
In Stages 2 and 3 of Music, you can choose from a wider range of options.
These options include modules in particular repertories - for example, world or folk music. You can focus on particular historical periods, such as the enlightenment and the reformation.
You also have the flexibility to select modules in applied subjects, such as:
- composition
- conducting
- orchestration
- analysis
In your final year Stage 3, you may choose performance, composition, a dissertation or a project as a major specialist study.
Music is offered by the School of Arts and Cultures.
You may also be interested in social and performance activities of the Music Society
Pre-requisites
To take music as part of your Combined Honours degree, it's preferred you have A-Level Music (or equivalent).
If you have other qualifications, you must be able to satisfy the Subject Programme Director of your ability.
You're strongly advised to gain competence in music theory to at least Associated Board Grade V level.
Stage 1
Students study either 40 or 60 credits from the list below in Stage 1.
There are no compulsory modules, however students must select their Stage 1 modules carefully in light of pre-requisites for Stage 2 and 3 modules.
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS1010 | Audio Production Skills | 20 | 1 |
| MUS1056 | Understanding Music: Concepts, Skills and Methods | 20 | 1 |
| MUS1057 | Challenges in Musicology: Music, People and Place (Pre-requisite must study MUS1056) | 20 | 2 |
| MUS1058* | Performance Studies 1 (Pre-requisite: ABRSM Grade VIII or equivalent; or successful audition) Note: MUS1058 must be taken alongside another non-performance Music module. Note: MUS1058 cannot be taken alongside MUS1059. |
20 | 1&2 |
| MUS1059* | Contemporary Pop Performance Note: MUS1059 cannot be taken alongside MUS1058. |
20 | 1&2 |
| MUS1097 | Creative Projects | 20 | 2 |
| MUS1101 | Musicianship | 20 | 1&2 |
Stage 2
Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 2.
There are no compulsory modules, however students must select their Stage 2 modules carefully in light of pre-requisites for Stage 3 modules.
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS2004 | Themes in Musical Modernism | 20 | 1 |
| MUS2006 | Composing for Spaces and Places (Pre-requisite: a Stage 1 notation-based or studio-skills based module) | 20 | 2 |
| MUS2016 | DJing Skills and Turntablism (Capped at 27) (Note: students wishing to take this module must write a short justification for why they wish to take the module based on their current and previous musical practice and listening, alongside their broader studies. This will be requested post module selection) | 20 | 1 |
| MUS2018 | Contemporary Musical Materials | 20 | 1 |
| MUS2050 | Songwriting (Pre-requisite: MUS1101 or MUS1102 or MUS1103) | 20 | 1 |
| MUS2055 |
Translation for Singing Note: Students wishing to take this module must seek permission to do so from the Module Leader before selecting the module |
20 | 2 |
| MUS2058 | Performance Studies 2 (Pre-requisite: MUS1058 or MUS1059 or successful audition) | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS2068 | Orchestration (Pre-requisite: MUS1101 or MUS1102 or MUS1103. Must seek Module Leader approval) | 20 | 2 |
| MUS2085 | Popular Music and Media | 20 | 2 |
| MUS2092 | Folk Ensemble 2 (Pre-requisite: a short audition with the Module Leader is required before commencing this module; this will be requested post module selection) | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS2107 | Music and Visual Culture | 20 | 1 |
| MUS2196 | Music Teaching and Learning in formal and informal contexts | 20 | 2 |
Stage 3
Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 3.
There are no compulsory modules.
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS3009 | Case Studies in 21st-Century Music | 20 | 1 |
| MUS3051 | The Total Work of Art: Richard Wagner, The Musical Stage and their continuing Agency across The Arts (Pre-requisite – must seek Module Leader approval) | 20 | 2 |
| MUS3061 | Jazz Studies | 20 | 2 |
| MUS3070 | Salsa, AfroBeats, Reggae and Rhythms of the World | 20 | 2 |
| MUS3088 | Folk Music, Gender and Identity | 20 | 1 |
| MUS3093 | Folk Ensemble 3 (Pre-requisite: MUS2092) (Note: self-selecting group to be formed before module starts) | 20 | 1&2 |
| HSS3500* | Combined Honours Final Year Project | 20 | 1&2 |
| HSS3099* | Combined Honours Final Year Project | 40 | 1&2 |
*Undertake an in-depth, independent research project with flexibility to select a topic related to one or all your subject areas, and the option to deliver a written or creative output. Supervisors are assigned from the Combined Honours academic team, and you can choose which subject(s) you want the credits to go towards.
Specialist Studies modules:
*MUS3012, MUS3014 and MUS3016 are only available to students who have successfully completed the relevant pre-requisite modules with a mark of 60% or higher.
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS3012* | Major Specialist Study: Composition* (Pre-requisite: MUS2048 or MUS2050 or MUS2006) | 40 | 1&2 |
| MUS3013 | Major Specialist Study: Dissertation | 40 | 1&2 |
| MUS3014* | Major Specialist Study: Performance* (Pre-requisite: MUS2058 or MUS2059) | 40 | 1&2 |
| MUS3015 | Major Specialist Study: Project | 40 | 1&2 |
| MUS3016* | Minor Specialist Study: Composition (Pre-requisite: MUS2041, or MUS2050, or MUS2059 or MUS2086) | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS3017 | Minor Specialist Study: Dissertation | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS3018 | Minor Specialist Study: Performance (Pre-requisite: MUS2058 or MUS2059) |
20 | 1&2 |
| MUS3019 | Minor Specialist Study: Project | 20 | 1&2 |
Get in touch
If you have any questions about choosing this subject as part of your Combined Honours degree, contact us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Subject advisers
Dr Charlotte Bentley - School of Arts and Cultures
Dr Mariam Rezaei - School of Arts and Cultures