Overview
Course In Depth
Modules
Entry Criteria
Careers and Employability
Finance
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Related Courses
Overview
UCAS Code: | M235 |
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Course Length: | 3 Years Full-Time, 6 Years Part-Time |
Start Dates: | September 2022, September 2023 |
Subjects: | Music Production |
Location: | Edge Hill University |
Example Offers: | BBC-BBB (A Level) or DMM (BTEC) View full entry criteria |
Modern technology now means we can conjure a musical universe on a computer keyboard as easily as a piano keyboard, and in the comfort of our bedrooms. This practice-based degree cultivates artistic development and is designed to make you self-sufficient in the creation, recording and performance of music. You will enhance your perception of the diverse characteristics of music and sound by exploring a broad range of themes. These include music technology, electronic music interaction, sound design, instrumental tuition, songwriting, composing and arranging, recording live music, studio recording, production and mastering, social media and employment strategies. The programme, which is ideal for musicians and computer musicians, also covers areas in sound for picture and soundtracks. You will apply your music and sound skills to areas such as film, TV, media, and theatre, working in a modern learning environment and utilising technology to bring your music to fruition.
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In Depth
What will I study?
Year 1 will introduce you to the techniques and technology essential for music creation. Your skills in musicianship will benefit from learning the practice of ear training and composing and performing songs through collaborative sessions. You will also explore the fundamentals of studio practice and music technology and examine the evolution of popular music and other media since the middle of the twentieth century. Optional modules will provide opportunities for you to improve your skills as a musician, enhance your knowledge of conventional music literacy, discover the sociology and psychology of music, and be introduced to the theory and practice associated with film sound.
Year 2 modules focus on the art of songwriting, notable songwriters and performers, and recording live music. You will also receive a grounding in the research methods relevant to media, music and sound. Optional modules introduce you to electronic music and synthetic sound design and guide you in composing and arranging popular music, playing live, and performance enhancement. They also provide opportunities to critique live performance and gain experience of performing live in different environments and in front of different audiences.
In Year 3 you will develop further production and mastering skills, receive guidance in strategies for employment in the creative industries, undertake an in-depth personal research project and refine your musicianship through advanced techniques. You will also have the opportunity to be immersed in composing music for films, develop advanced computational techniques for real-time digital performance, and engage with social media marketing techniques underpinning the music download culture.
How will I study?
As you study you will encounter a range of teaching methods and learning experiences designed to guide you in becoming a self-directed, autonomous learner, conscious of professional practice principles and ethics. In addition to tutor-focused instruction in lectures, seminars and workshops, there will also be opportunities for you to participate in work-related tasks and projects, group activities, individual tutorials, self-directed study and self-evaluation.
Music students at Edge Hill attend the annual music festival, Liverpool Sound City, of which the University is a partner. This event fuses a music festival with a music conference, providing you with the opportunity to network with a range of industry speakers and professional musicians, as well as experiencing live music across the city. Edge Hill students have also won prestigious awards at the festival, including the UK Student Music Award and the UK Student Innovation Award.
Consolidating Edge Hill’s commitment to music, the University has also launched The Label Recordings, an independent label without contracts. This has been established by the University to promote existing new music and to equip you with some real-world, hands-on experience in a competitive industry.
How will I be assessed?
The programme is assessed entirely by coursework. This includes practical desktop (DAW/MIDI) and studio-based recording assignments, report writing, blogs, videos and oral presentations. You will also have the opportunity to complete a dissertation or practical project in the final year of the programme.
There are no formal written examinations as part of the current assessment methods on this degree.
Who will be teaching me?
The programme is delivered by a team of academics, professional practitioners and technical staff with creative expertise spanning a wide range of disciplines. These areas of expertise include performance and production, music theory, media and culture, film and TV production, sound for picture and sound design, experimental music, songwriting, research and practice-led research. Many of the staff who teach on the programme are practising musicians themselves.
Facilities
Music Production students at Edge Hill University enjoy industry-standard teaching and learning facilities in the £7million Arts Centre and £17million Creative Edge.
Our outstanding resources ensure you gain practical experience to a professional standard. Contemporary performance environments include the Rose and Studio theatres, digital sound studio, digital design suite, music technology room, music practice studios, radio studio, multimedia laboratory, TV studio, and an outdoor amphitheatre.
Learning Resources
Music production and audio post-production studios come equipped with AVID ProTools HDX digital recording systems with C|24 control surfaces, as well as Waves and IK Multimedia, and a range of microphones. Dedicated Mac labs provide access to the latest audio software while there are are several dedicated rehearsal rooms which offer electronic keyboards and a range of acoustic and electric guitars, effects modules and practice amps. A selection of acoustic pianos, grand and upright, are also available.
Timetables
Timetables for your first week are normally available at the end of August prior to enrolment in September. You can expect to receive your timetable for the rest of the academic year during your first week. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information, however our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.
Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
Modules
Expand AllYear 1
Compulsory modules:
MUS1172Creative Music Technology (20 credits)
MUS1170Ensemble Performance (20 credits)
MUS1173Introduction to Popular Music and Media (20 credits)
MUS1171Studio Practice (20 credits)
You will select two of the following optional modules:
MUS1164Is This Music? Understanding Sound in Society (20 credits)
MUS1168Music Literacy (20 credits)
MUS1008Performance Study (20 credits)
MED1202Sound for Picture (20 credits)
MTH1105Words and Music (20 credits)
You have the option to learn a language and study Arabic, French, German, Italian, Mandarin or Spanish as an integral part of this degree. A single Language module can be studied in Year 1 instead of one of the optional modules above.
TLC1010Language 1 (20 credits)
Year 2
Compulsory modules:
MUS2177Compositional Forms and Approaches (20 credits)
MUS2174Recording Live Music (20 credits)
MUS2175Researching Music (20 credits)
MUS2173Song Writing and Recording (20 credits)
You will select two of the following optional modules:
MUS2176Arranging Popular Music (20 credits)
MUS2171Electronic Music and Sound Design (20 credits)
MUS2060Performance Development (20 credits)
MUS2066Playing Live (20 credits)
If you studied a Language module in Year 1, or if you can demonstrate equivalent knowledge, you may wish to study a further Language module in Year 2. This would form an integral part of your degree in place of one of the optional modules above.
TLC2000Language 2 (20 credits)
Year 3
Compulsory modules:
MUS3058Dissertation Project (40 credits)
MUS3161Employment Strategies in the Creative Industries (20 credits)
MUS3170Production and Mastering (20 credits)
You will select two of the following optional modules:
MUS3173Advanced Performance (20 credits)
MUS3174Composing for Film (20 credits)
MUS3172Electronic Performance and Interaction (20 credits)
MUS3061Social Media Context and Practice (20 credits)
If you studied Language modules in Years 1 and 2, or if you can demonstrate equivalent knowledge, you may wish to study a further Language module in Year 3. This would form an integral part of your degree in place of one of the optional modules above.
TLC3000Language 3 (20 credits)
Optional modules provide an element of choice within the programme curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements.
Entry Criteria
Entry Requirements
Typical offer 112-120 UCAS Tariff points, preferably to include a Music-related subject.
Other subjects will be considered if you can demonstrate your ability to create music, either as an electronic musician, or by playing a musical instrument (such as vocals, guitar, keyboard, bass, drums, percussion or brass), either in a band or as a solo artist.
No formal grade or professional qualification in playing a musical instrument is required but, in the absence of a Music-related subject to contribute towards the UCAS Tariff points, you will need to supply evidence in the form of video and/or audio recordings of songs and music being created and performed. Recordings should be uploaded to SoundCloud and/or YouTube and the links to them put in your UCAS Personal Statement. In some circumstances, we may also invite you to attend an audition workshop.
Example Offers
Some examples of how you can achieve 112-120 UCAS Tariff points are detailed below.
- A Level: BBC-BBB;
- BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications): Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM);
- T Level: Overall grade of Merit;
- International Baccalaureate (IB): We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points. Subject-specific requirements at Higher Level (HL) Grade 5 may apply;
- Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 credits at Level 3, for example 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit or 24 credits at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations.
Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.
If you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven’t been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.
For further information on how you can meet the entry requirements, including details of alternative qualifications, please visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/offers.
EU students can get country-specific information about the University’s entry requirements and equivalent national qualifications at www.edgehill.ac.uk/eu.
International students should visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/international for information on the entry criteria for overseas applicants.
English Language Requirements
International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band or one band lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
Are there any alternative ways to meet the entry requirements?
If you have the ability to study for a degree but lack the necessary qualifications or confidence, our Fastrack: Preparation for Higher Education course could be for you. This free, seven-week programme provides a great opportunity to enhance your study skills and subject knowledge and demonstrate that you are ready to study a particular subject with us, in lieu of achieving the UCAS Tariff points in the entry criteria.
Upon successful completion of a Fastrack course, you will be well placed to progress onto a corresponding Edge Hill University degree, although additional entry requirements may apply and the availability of specific programmes cannot be guaranteed. For more information, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/fastrack.
Career Prospects
What are my career prospects?
Throughout the programme you will be immersed in a broad spectrum of the themes and practices of the music industry, providing you with expert knowledge and technical ability, a flair for music composition and songwriting, confidence in performance, and entrepreneurial skills. We will ensure you graduate with the capability for creative thinking and the ability to apply knowledge to achieve practical outcomes in professional contexts associated with the music industry.
Our Employers’ Advisory Panel (EAP) provide advice and support with curriculum development and the department’s EHU-Arts HUB offers a suite of professional opportunities that will help you to become industry-ready.
Potential career options could include working as a producer in A&R or artist management, working in a recording studio, on film sound, or as a composer, songwriter or musician. Alternatively, you may wish to train to teach.
How can I enhance my employability?
It is useful to consider, even before you apply, how you will spend your time while studying and make the most of your university experience.
Optional, additional activities may be available on this degree which could help to prepare you for a stimulating and rewarding career. These include:
- Sandwich Years – you may have the opportunity to apply to complete a sandwich year placement, usually as the third year of a four year degree, and gain highly relevant work experience;
- Studying Abroad – you may have the opportunity to apply to spend time studying or working abroad, usually as the third year of a four year degree, enabling you to immerse yourself in a different culture;
- Learning a Language – you may be able to select language modules, delivered at the Edge Hill Language Centre, as an integral part of your degree (for which you will gain academic credits). Alternatively, it may be possible to participate in Language Steps classes as additional study.
Please note, the availability of these additional activities cannot be guaranteed for all students. Depending on availability and the number of students wanting to participate, there may be a competitive application process for sandwich year placements or studying abroad opportunities or you may be required to secure a relevant placement yourself.
Finance
Tuition Fees
If you are a prospective UK student who will be joining this undergraduate degree on a full-time basis in academic year 2022/23, the tuition fee will be £9,250 a year. Tuition fees for international students enrolling on the programme on a full-time basis in academic year 2022/23 are £15,000 a year.
If you are a prospective UK student who will be joining this undergraduate degree on a part-time basis in academic year 2022/23, the tuition fee will be £77 per credit. This is equivalent to £1,540 per 20 credit module. 360 credits are required to complete an undergraduate degree.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.
Financial Support
Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this undergraduate degree can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the programme may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.
For comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students joining this programme in academic year 2022/23, together with details of how to apply for potential funding, please view our Money Matters 2022/23 guide for your intended mode of study.
- Money Matters 2022/23 Full-Time: www.edgehill.ac.uk/undergradfinance2022
- Money Matters 2022/23 Part-Time: www.edgehill.ac.uk/undergradfinance2022pt
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals should ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please see www.edgehill.ac.uk/eufinance for further details.
Financial support information for international students can be found at www.edgehill.ac.uk/international/fees.
Scholarships
Edge Hill University offers a range of scholarships with a competitive application process for prospective full-time undergraduate students.
These scholarships aren’t linked to academic success and celebrate determination, talent and achievement beyond your coursework, for instance in creativity, enterprise, ICT, performance, sport or volunteering.
To find out more about scholarships, to assess your eligibility, and to meet some of our dedicated scholarship winners, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.
Apply
How to Apply
If you wish to study full-time, apply online through UCAS at www.ucas.com. Visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/applyucas to find out more about the application process.
If you wish to study part-time, apply directly to Edge Hill University at www.edgehill.ac.uk/apply-part-time.
Further information for international students about how to apply is available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/applyinternational.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
Visit Us
If you are considering applying to study at Edge Hill University, the best way to gain an insight into student life is to discover our stunning campus for yourself by attending an open day. You can view dates and book your place at www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays.
Alternatively, if you are unable to attend an open day, you can find out more about our full range of events for prospective students, including campus tours and virtual activities, at www.edgehill.ac.uk/visitus.
Request a Prospectus
If you would like to explore our full range of degrees before you apply, you can order an undergraduate prospectus at www.edgehill.ac.uk/undergradprospectus.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about this programme or what it’s like to study at Edge Hill University, please contact:
- Course Enquiries
- Tel: 01695 657000
- Email: [email protected]
International students should visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/international or email [email protected] with any queries about overseas study.
Course Changes
Expand All This tab outlines any material changes to course content, programme structure, assessment methods, entry criteria, and modes of study or delivery, implemented in the past two years. Future material changes will be added here as amends are made to course information.17th January 2022 - Change of Modules
2nd March 2021 - Update to Example Offers
Covid-19 - Music Production Essential Information
Music Production Course Statement
You can expect to receive six hours of on-site face-to-face delivery per week, with the remainder of each module’s validated hours delivered via online synchronous and online asynchronous learning activities, such as lectures, discussion boards, seminars, tutorials and academic support. Extra-curricular activity, involving visits to external recording studios, visiting musicians and industry speakers, for example, will be subject to Government restrictions and/or social distancing policy.Teaching and Learning at Edge Hill University in 2020
In this video Pro Vice-Chancellor, Lynda Brady, answers your questions and explains how teaching will work when you join us at Edge Hill University in September.
Campus Facilities at Edge Hill University in 2020
In this video Pro Vice-Chancellor, Lynda Brady, explains how we’re preparing the campus for your arrival in September and the facilities that will be available.