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 | Studio Production | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS1011 | Introduction to Etnomusicology | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS1012 | Understanding Music History | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS1014 | Introduction to Popular Music Studies | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS1018 | Academic Practice for Music Studies | 20 | 1&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 |
| MUS1096 | The Traditions of These Islands | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS1097 | Creative Projects | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS1101 | Essentials and Applications of Music Theory | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS1102 | Applications and Structures of Music Theory | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS1103 | Essentials and Structures of Music Theory | 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 |
| MUS2013 | Elements of Hip Hop | 20 | 2 |
| MUS2016 | DJing Skills and Turntablism (Capped at 24) (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 |
| MUS2044 | Practising Music Analysis (Pre-requisite: MUS1101, MUS1102 or MUS1003) | 20 | 2 |
| MUS2050 | Applied Song Writing and Composition (Folk and Modal Musics) (Pre-requisite: MUS1101 or MUS1102 or MUS1103) | 20 | 2 |
| MUS2051 | Case Studies in Early Music | 20 | 2 |
| 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 | 1 |
| MUS2058 | Performance Studies 2 (Pre-requisite: MUS1058 or MUS1059 or successful audition) | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS2068 | Orchestration (Pre-requisite: MUS1101, MUS1102 or MUS1003) | 20 | 1 |
| MUS2085 | Popular Music and Media | 20 | 2 |
| MUS2088 | Folk Music Studies: Resources and Research Materials | 20 | 1 |
| 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 |
| MUS2108 | Music and Empire | 20 | 1 |
| MUS2109 | Topics in Ethnomusicology (Music in the Caribbean) | 20 | 2 |
| MUS2195 | Professional Practice for Music | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS2196 | Community Music: Theory and Practice | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS3029 | Music, Politics and Policy | 20 | 1 |
| MUS3051 | Richard Wagner and Wagnerism | 20 | 2 |
| MUS3061 | Jazz Studies | 20 | 2 |
| MUS3088 | Folk Music, Gender and Identity | 20 | 2 |
| MUS3093 | Folk Ensemble 3 (Pre-requisite: MUS2092) (Note: self-selecting group to be formed before module starts) | 20 | 1&2 |
| MUS3111 | Teaching Music in Schools; Socio-cultural Contexts and Approaches to Practice |
20 | 1 |
| MUS3197 | Music and Creative Industries Placement (Pre-requisite: a mark of 60% or higher in MUS2195 and a written application) (Capped at 12) |
20 | 1&2 |
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
Charlotte Bentley - School of Arts and Cultures