Popular Music BA (Hons)

Program Overview

The Popular Music BA (Hons) at the University of Gloucestershire is a forward-thinking program that prepares musicians for diverse careers in the creative industries. It emphasizes creative music-making, hands-on experience, and collaboration with industry professionals. Students gain practical skills in production, songwriting, performance, and business enterprise, and have access to state-of-the-art facilities and industry placements.

Program Outline

Popular Music BA (Hons) at the University of Gloucestershire: A Detailed Program Analysis

Degree Overview:

• Forward-thinking program: The Popular Music BA (Hons) at the University of Gloucestershire is a contemporary program that prepares musicians for diverse and sustainable careers in the creative industries.
• Focus on creative music-making: The program emphasizes the development of various creative skills, including production, songwriting, performance, composition for screen media, studio techniques, marketing, and business enterprise.
• Hands-on experience: Students gain practical experience through performing at festivals, working on industry projects, and undertaking placements with renowned organizations like Universal Music, Sony ATV, and No Hats No Hoods.
• Award-winning tutors: The program boasts award-winning tutors who are active industry professionals, ensuring students receive the latest industry insights and network with prominent figures in the music industry.
• 24/7 access to facilities: Students have 24/7 access to music studios, production labs, rehearsal spaces, and film, TV, and VFX studios.
• Collaboration with other media students: The program encourages collaboration with students from other media fields, enabling students to create music for film, animation, and games, and develop live events and business solutions.

Outline:

• Study style: The program utilizes a Music Academic Partnership (MAP) approach, where students learn from industry professionals and taste-makers through lectures, workshops, and guest appearances.
• Year 1: Students explore composition, performance, and creative music production, focusing on market-driven songwriting, recording, and playing live gigs.
They also examine the role of music in cultural, economic, and political contexts.
• Year 2: Performance continues with regular live events, and students explore the potential of web and broadcast technologies as live performance platforms.
They also delve into music for moving image and develop expertise in music-related business areas. Students can choose optional modules to match their interests and career goals.
• Year 3: Students showcase their creative, commercial, and academic expertise by creating a final project and live performance.
They also undertake a placement and complete a dissertation.

Assessment:

• 100% coursework-based assessments: The program utilizes a variety of coursework-based assessments, ensuring students demonstrate their skills and knowledge comprehensively.

Teaching:

• Industry-active tutors: The program features award-winning tutors who are active industry professionals, ensuring students learn from experienced musicians, producers, performers, and researchers.
• Strong industry connections: The tutors curate independent labels and festivals, run community and digital music projects, and maintain extensive connections, ensuring students receive the latest industry insights and network with prominent figures.
• MAP collaboration: The program is part of the Music Academic Partnership (MAP), a collaboration between educational institutions and the UK Music industry, offering students access to exclusive projects, events, and career opportunities.

Careers:

• Diverse career paths: The program prepares students for a wide range of careers in the music industry, including live performance, session musicianship, songwriting, composition, teaching, and leadership roles in the community, education, and health sectors.
• Industry placements: Students gain valuable experience through placements with renowned organizations like EMI, Universal Music, ITV, Warner Bros, and the BBC.

Other:

• European Capital City Showcase: Students participate in the annual European Capital City Showcase, performing in cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Prague.
• State-of-the-art facilities: The program utilizes industry-standard technologies and a digital suite, featuring a Dante Audio Networking system for composing, performing, and recording in various spaces.
• Focus on live performance: The program emphasizes live performance opportunities, allowing students to gain experience as bands, singer-songwriters, or electronic music projects.
• Strong links with Cheltenham's music scene: The program is located in the heart of Cheltenham's thriving music scene, providing students access to numerous festivals, venues, and industry professionals.
If additional information is available, it can be incorporated into the analysis for a more comprehensive understanding of the program.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

Start date

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Sep 2024 | Park, Cheltenham | W300 | £9,250 | £16,600 | TBC | TBC Sep 2025 | Park, Cheltenham | W300 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC