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LOCATION
University Square Stratford
Location Fees and Funding
Here's the fees and funding information for each year of this course
Overview
We believe we've designed the ideal course for any performer, songwriter or composer who wants to work in music. There's room for everyone with creative ideas on our course, even if you haven't gained a formal music qualification. We're interested in anyone who feels compelled to make music in some way.
We don't want to dictate your musical path. You'll tell us where you want your music to take you. Then our teachers - all producers, composers, theorists and performers themselves - will help you find your way there.
We'll develop your specialist skills in music production, songwriting, performance and sound design. We'll give you the facilities and equipment to create with and the stages to perform on, and we'll underpin all this with a thorough examination of the history, culture and business of music.
Not only will we equip you to land a music industry job, we think you may just end up being the job!
Foundation year
If you don't meet the entry requirements for a BA, you can study this course as an extended, four-year programme. You'll begin by taking a foundation year which prepares you for a successful transition to the BA degree. This means it will take you four years to complete the course full-time, and eight years to complete the course part-time.
What makes this course different
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
To us, music is a broad church. It could mean the creation of a top-40 pop song, an experimental sound installation at Tate Modern or a viral track online. So we'll offer you a broad spectrum of studies, too.
In your first year, you'll learn basic skills in areas such as musical arrangements and solo and group performance. You'll become more professional about your music.
In your second year, you'll pursue your own identity as a songwriter or performer. You'll also think more about how you're going to produce your music.
Over the three years, your theoretical studies will include music history, investigations into how technology affects the composition and consumption of music and explorations into how sound connects with the body.
By the third year, you'll bring all your knowledge together to fashion a professional portfolio in your chosen field ready to present to the music world.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
MODULES
- Core Modules
Group Work 1 CloseGroup Work 1
In this module you will collaborate with students from other disciplines in creative projects that model professional practice.
You will apply disciplinary skills associated with your particular programme pathway, through creative collaboration. You will also develop understanding of the context of your work. You will carry out roles within your collaboration that reflect professional practice.
Collaboration activities assessed in this module will develop a final creative output, which might include a public performance, production, composition or installation for example, presented and assessed within the overall project.
Sound and Music Skills 1 CloseSound and Music Skills 1
In this module you will establish and develop and evaluate specialised disciplinary skills associated with your particular disciplinary pathway:
- BA Music Performance and Production
- BA Music Technology and Production
- BA Sound and Music for Media
- BA Sound and Music for Games
- BA Sound and Music for Theatre
Each pathway will develop core skills separately, with opportunities to apply these in collaborative projects, working together with students from other pathways. Projects will provide a context for collaboration and result in the performance and production of work to internal audiences, with opportunities for pubic presentation towards the end of the year.
Group Work 2 CloseGroup Work 2
In this module you will collaborate with students from other disciplines in creative projects that model professional practice.
You will develop and apply specialised disciplinary skills associated with your particular programme pathway, and further develop skills in creative collaboration with other disciplines, project management and production. You will also develop understanding and insight into the context of your work. You will carry out and evaluate roles within your collaboration that reflect professional practice.
Collaboration activities assessed in this module will develop a final creative output, which might include a public performance, production, composition or installation for example, presented and assessed within the overall project.
- Core Modules
Music Performance and Production Technique 1 CloseMusic Performance and Production Technique 1
In this module you will establish and develop specialised disciplinary skills associated with your particular programme pathway:
- BA Music Performance and Production
The skills you develop will be integrated and applied within a collaborative multidisciplinary project (Multidisciplinary Project 1), working with other disciplines within the cluster to produce a internal performance, creative production or installation project (Public Project 1).
Multidisciplinary Collaboration 1 CloseMultidisciplinary Collaboration 1
Research and Development
In this module you will research and develop understanding about the nature of interdisciplinary collaboration within the performing and creative arts, making reference to key models of practice and practitioners. You will critically evaluate the social, cultural, technological, economic and environmental context of your collaborative practice, and evaluate the nature of both disciplinary practice and multidisciplinary practice.
You will develop and apply specialised disciplinary skills associated with your particular programme pathway, as well as develop and integrate skills in creative collaboration, project management and production, and research. You will carry out and evaluate roles within your collaboration that reflect models of professional practice.
This module integrates theory and practice and develops skills in reflection, analysis and evaluation. You will research practice-based theories while developing creative project-work in collaboration with students from other disciplines for internal performance and presentation.
Public Project 1 ClosePublic Project 1
In this module you will apply skills in professional creative activities developed in Skills and Collaboration modules, to a final creative project outcome. This may take the form of a public presentation, performance, installation, creative production, staged or site-specific performance, or event, for example. This will be defined within the overall project brief, which will also identify how learning outcomes in this module will be evidenced.
Music Performance and Production Technique 2 CloseMusic Performance and Production Technique 2
In this module you will extend and refine specialised disciplinary skills associated with your particular programme pathway:
- BA Music Performance and Production
The skills you develop will be integrated and applied within a collaborative project (Multidisciplinary Project 2), working with other disciplines within the cluster to produce a public performance, creative production or installation project (Mental Wealth: Mental Wealth: Professional Life: Enterprise and Engagement 2).
Collaboration 2 CloseCollaboration 2
Implementation and Impact
In this module you will collaborate with students from other disciplines in creative projects that model professional practice. Collaborative Practice involves independent disciplines collaborating on their own terms and within their specialised areas of practice, establishing effective working partnerships between disciplines, with limited integration.
You will further develop and apply specialised disciplinary skills associated with your particular programme pathway, and further develop skills in creative collaboration, project management and production, and research, developing understanding and insight into the context and impact of your work through practice and research. You will carry out and evaluate roles within your collaboration that reflect professional practice.
You may collaborate in projects with disciplines within the cluster (Music, Dance, Drama, Performing Arts, Creative and Professional Writing), or externally (e.g. Media, Art and Design, Games).
Collaboration activities assessed in this module will develop a final creative output, which might include a public performance, production, composition or installation for example, presented and assessed within the overall project.
Mental Wealth: Professional Life: Enterprise and Engagement 1 CloseMental Wealth: Professional Life: Enterprise and Engagement 1
Developing the key psychological and physical determinants of human performance are increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial revolution.
This module will provide students with the opportunity to identify the skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.
Students will begin to recognise the areas for their own personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligences) through taught and workshop activity.
Central to the developmental process is for each student to cultivate the reflective skills, openness and self-awareness to enable themselves to assess what they are doing, identify areas for improvement, and confidently receive and give constructive feedback. Students will additionally develop knowledge of strategies to advance their own physical intelligence through 'life style' and 'self-care' approaches to inform their health and wellbeing.
Having developed skills and understanding of the key developmental areas of competency, students will participate in FUEL, a performance and production events microbusiness for the performing and creative arts, as defined by project briefs.
Students will be mentored and supervised by students from higher years. In this position they will learn and begin to apply the cognitive, cultural and social intelligences developed elsewhere in their studies (and from external activities) as required in the workplace, namely cognitive flexibility, emotional resilience, motivation, ethical decision-making, managing your audience, coordinating with others, negotiation, creativity, active listening, attention, problem solving, research, synthesis and analysis.
In this module students will apply skills in professional creative activities developed in Skills and Collaboration modules, to a final creative project outcome. This may take the form of a public presentation, performance, installation, creative production, staged or site-specific performance, or event, for example. This will be defined within the overall project brief, which will also identify how learning outcomes in this module will be evidenced.
- Core Modules
Music Performance and Production Craft 1 CloseMusic Performance and Production Craft 1
In this module you will establish and develop specialised disciplinary skills associated with your particular programme pathway:
- BA Music Performance and Production
- Music skills and Songwriting
- Composition for film
- Band musicianship and live performance
- Improvisation
Multidisciplinary Collaboration 1 CloseMultidisciplinary Collaboration 1
Research and Development
In this module you will research and develop understanding about the nature of interdisciplinary collaboration within the performing and creative arts, making reference to key models of practice and practitioners. You will critically evaluate the social, cultural, technological, economic and environmental context of your collaborative practice, and evaluate the nature of both disciplinary practice and multidisciplinary practice.
You will develop and apply specialised disciplinary skills associated with your particular programme pathway, as well as develop and integrate skills in creative collaboration, project management and production, and research. You will carry out and evaluate roles within your collaboration that reflect models of professional practice.
This module integrates theory and practice and develops skills in reflection, analysis and evaluation. You will research practice-based theories while developing creative project-work in collaboration with students from other disciplines for internal performance and presentation.
Music Performance and Production Craft 2 CloseMusic Performance and Production Craft 2
In this module you will refine specialised integrated disciplinary skills associated with your particular programme pathway:
Indicative Disciplinary skills include:
BA Music Technology and Production
- Sound Design and composition for film, games and multimedia
- Music Production and music technology in performance
- Studio Production and sound engineering, mixing and mastering
Multidisciplinary Collaboration 2 CloseMultidisciplinary Collaboration 2
Implementation and Impact
In this module you will collaborate with students from other disciplines in creative interdisciplinary projects that model professional practice, and which result in a public engagement, performance or presentation of creative or participatory work.
You will further develop and apply specialised disciplinary skills associated with your particular programme pathway, and further develop skills in creative collaboration and facilitation, project management and production, and research. You will demonstrate understanding and insight into the context and impact of your work through practice and research. You will carry out and evaluate roles within your collaboration that reflect professional practice in contemporary multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary work.
You may collaborate in projects with disciplines within the cluster (Music, Dance, Drama, Performing Arts, Creative and Professional Writing), or externally (e.g. Media, Art and Design, Games).
Collaboration activities assessed in this module will develop a final creative output, which might include a public performance, production, composition or installation for example, presented and assessed within the overall project.
Music Performance and Production Craft 2 CloseMusic Performance and Production Craft 2
In this module you will refine specialised integrated disciplinary skills associated with your particular programme pathway:
Indicative Disciplinary skills include:
BA Music Technology and Production
- Sound Design and composition for film, games and multimedia
- Music Production and music technology in performance
- Studio Production and sound engineering, mixing and mastering
- Core Modules
Music Performance and Production Advanced CloseMusic Performance and Production Advanced
In this module you will develop advanced integrated creative and technical skills in the broad context of Performance, Technology, and Interactivity.
Research and Development
This module extends practice in previous module strands at levels 4 and 5. Students will be able specialise and focus on a particular pathway, or integrate pathways. The module also aligns with the Final Project modules, and links can be made between practice and research in both modules along the following pathways:
- Live Electronic Sound
- Band Musicianship
- Music Production
- Studio Production
- Sound Design and Composition
- Linear and Non-Linear media models (e.g. Sound and Music for Games, Sound Installation, algorithmic composition)
Final Project: Research and Development CloseFinal Project: Research and Development
Research and Development
In this module you will establish a design portfolio of research and development materials in collaboration with others culminating in a proposal for an interdisciplinary practice-based project, which you will design and lead, and a related written research topic.
You will establish relevant collaborations with others appropriate to your proposed project (e.g. creative collaborations across disciplines, creative and technical collaboration, production support, marketing strategy and implementation, project management). These relationships will model professional practice and may internal and / external to the University environment.
Key features
- Research and propose a substantial creative and collaborative interdisciplinary project
- Conduct research into a chosen topic related to creative practice
- Produce a review of literature and other relevant research sources
- Present research and development materials reflecting academic and professional industry stands
Public Project 3 ClosePublic Project 3
In this module you will apply skills in professional creative activities developed in Skills and Collaboration modules, to a final creative project outcome. This may take the form of a public presentation, performance, installation, creative production, staged or site-specific performance, or event, for example. This will be defined within the overall project brief, which will also identify how learning outcomes in this module will be evidenced.
Music Performance and Production Advanced CloseMusic Performance and Production Advanced
Implementation and Impact
The module will develop advanced skills and understanding in the follow
areas:
- Performance and performance technologies
- Composition and design
- Managing the Creative Process
- Ownership and access
- Networks
- Advanced music technology
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Events production
Final Project: Implementation and Impact CloseFinal Project: Implementation and Impact
Implementation and Impact
In this module you will implement and deliver an interdisciplinary practice-based collaborative project, which you will design and lead, accompanied by a written research report on your chosen research topic.
Having established working relationships with others in the design, research and development of your project, you will continue to collaborate in the implementation phase, innovating and leveraging ways of working across and within disciplines towards transdisciplinary practice and presentation in the public and professional domain.
You will deliver your project within the parameters defined in your proposal and through leadership and management of the project's implementation, making appropriate adjustments and modifications to facilitate the its progress. You will present the project outcomes and measure its impact following models of professional and academic practice evaluated in your research proposal.
Key Features
- Design, produce and lead a substantial creative interdisciplinary project
- Conduct research into a chosen topic related to creative practice and produce a report
- Present creative interdisciplinary projects innovatively in the digital domain
- Present research outcomes reflecting academic and professional industry stands
Mental Wealth: Professional Life : Enterprise and Engagement 3 CloseMental Wealth: Professional Life : Enterprise and Engagement 3
Developing the key psychological and physical determinants of human performance are increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial revolution.
This module will provide students with the opportunity to apply the full range of skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.
Students will advance the areas identified at level 5 for their own personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligences) through taught and workshop activity.
Students will reflect on the success of the strategies that they employed to further develop their reflective skills, self-awareness, 'life style' and 'self-care' approaches and where necessary improve their approaches.
Having developed skills and understanding in the key developmental areas of competency, students will manage and lead projects and events for FUEL, a performance and production events microbusiness for the performing and creative arts, as defined by project briefs.
Students will have opportunity to select an in-house microbusiness project to join in the role of 'Manager'. In this position they will oversee the successful operation of the enterprise, coach and mentor students new to the programme and lead those working in 'producer' roles. Working collaboratively with peers and academic staff, they will ensure the effective delivery of a live project by managing people and physical resources. In doing so they will apply the cognitive, cultural and social intelligences learnt elsewhere in their studies (and from external activities) required in the workplace.
In this module you will apply skills in professional creative activities developed in Skills and Collaboration modules, to a final creative project outcome. This may take the form of a public presentation, performance, installation, creative production, staged or site-specific performance, or event, for example. This will be defined within the overall project brief, which will also identify how learning outcomes in this module will be evidenced.
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
You'll be taught by a range of staff, all of whom are practitioners in the area they teach. The majority of the assessments focus on practical skills and are presented as ‘live or simulated briefs’. This ensures that the practice-led teaching is relevant to industry and practice. Our staff are well placed to take advantage of a range of professional networks and industry contacts. Each module is designed with practical components and a reflective component, with the intention that students develop an ability to comment on and justify their creative process.
When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, specialist music facilities, such as edit suites, rehearsal rooms, the equipment store, the library, full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.
Academic support and personal tutor
Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas – including learning and disability support.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.
Teaching hours
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
- Year 1: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
- Year 2: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
- Year 3: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
Timetable
Your individualised timetable is normally available within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
Class sizes
To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 30 plus students a year. Lecture sizes are normally 30 students.
In practical work you will be taught in groups of 4 or 5 students. However, this can vary by academic year.
HOW YOU'LL BE ASSESSED
- 75% Practical, 25% coursework
- 0% exams by each year
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
CAMPUS and FACILITIES

University Square Stratford, University Square Stratford
WHO TEACHES THIS COURSE
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
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What we're researching
At the University of East London we are working on the some of the big issues that will define our future; from sustainable architecture and ethical AI, to health inequality and breaking down barriers in the creative industries.
Our students and academics are more critically engaged and socially conscious than ever before. Discover some of the positive changes our students, alumni and academics are making in the world.
YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Our course is designed to turn our students into highly employable modern music professionals. The pathways that lead from our course into the industry are varied and stimulating.
You could forge a career in contemporary or experimental music. Or you could choose to stay in the pop world. Or write film soundtracks. You could end up composing music for computer games.
Anything would appear possible when you consider the range of careers that just a small cross-section of our students gone into since leaving us.
Some go into the recording business, like Joe Power and Stephen Peeling, who are signed up to an independent record label with the post-rock band, Codes in the Clouds.
While some graduates go on to work as music producers, sound designers and DJs, others opt for the business side of the industry in areas such as music journalism and music teaching.
Others choose to continue their studies, like Tomas Peckys, who's doing a PhD in Lithuanian dance culture.
One of our alumni now even boasts a double musical life. By day, Phoebe Osborne is a music teacher but she moonlights as a singer-songwriter for the alternative folk band, Penniless Cove.
You see, we can help give you the best of both worlds.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.