Rap & MC Degree, BA/BSc (Hons) Creative Industries

Program Overview

ACM's Rap & MC Degree is a groundbreaking program that combines practical skills, industry knowledge, and entrepreneurial training to equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the music industry. The curriculum emphasizes flow, content, narrative, and delivery, and provides opportunities for students to collaborate and experiment in studio environments and live venues. The program offers a mix of hyper-specific skills units, core academic modules, and project modules tailored to student needs and industry demands.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Rap & MC Degree, BA/BSc (Hons) Creative Industries, offered by ACM, is the UK's first Hip-Hop degree. It explores the history and evolution of UK and US Hip-Hop, examining techniques used in subgenres like Grime, Drill, UK Garage, and Drum and Bass. The program emphasizes practical work, supported by industry professional tutors, focusing on improving flow, content, narrative, and delivery. Students collaborate and experiment in studio environments, MIT spaces, and live venues. Beyond practical skills, the program teaches students how to monetize their work through entrepreneurial skills and music industry knowledge (publishing, copyright). The goal is to equip graduates with a wide range of transferable skills for industry entry.

Outline:

The ACM Rap & MC degree uses a blended learning approach and offers a mix of hyper-specific skills units, core academic modules, and project modules throughout the course. The curriculum is tailored to student needs as they progress. Skills units are industry-driven and cutting-edge. The program is structured across Levels 4, 5, 6, and 7 (and a Foundation year). Modules are categorized into Level-specific groups and include:

Level 4:

• Preparing for Collaborative Work (CIF-405):
Prepares students to organize themselves and their work for interdisciplinary collaborative projects, engaging with professional networks and contributors.
• The impact and influence of music: from creator to consumer (MIF-404):
Explores the impact of music on physical and mental health across different contexts.
• Music, society, and Culture: Perspectives and Debates (MIF-404):
Examines the global and personal aspects of music, its cultural influences, and the importance of understanding societal and cultural contexts in music creation. It emphasizes self-regulation and self-censorship in artistic expression.
• Engaging in Collaborative Work (CIF-406):
Focuses on collaborative work on a shared project brief, applying various skills.
• Pen Game & Delivery: Honing Your Craft (SKU-RMC-01):
Explores the history and culture of UK rap, from pioneers to current artists, through writing and recording.
• Mind Your Business (SKU-BUS-01):
Introduces business knowledge and skills, including business structures, finance, banking, company roles, intellectual property, and practical skills like registration and tax returns.
• Music & the Creative Industries (CIF-401):
Explores the application of music-related skills in other industries, examining principles and terminology used in professional contexts. It helps students map their career paths within the creative industries.
• Music, Media and Technology (CIF-402):
Examines the role of music across various media, comparing its purpose, structure, and methods of use across different platforms and audiences.

Level 5:

• Specialist Route Skills (CIF-503A/503S):
Uses tools and techniques to produce professional-standard work, with options for arts-related or science-related frameworks.
• Professional Collaborative Work (CIF-502):
Focuses on delivering a project in a professional context, managing professional networks and communications.
• Professional Route Skills (CIF-504A/504S):
Creates a portfolio of professional work demonstrating transferable skills, again with arts or science-related framework options.
• DJ & Remixing (SKU-PRO-07):
Develops DJ mixing skills using hardware and software, linking production techniques to remix production.
• Be Your Own Boss (SKU-BUS-11):
Explores self-employment, including legal, financial, and mental health aspects.
• Musical Directing and Studio Craft (SKU-PRO-06):
Focuses on communication and collaboration in studio environments, getting the best performance from artists while managing technical responsibilities.
• Live Event Management (SKU-BUS-10):
Provides an in-depth understanding of the economics and logistics of the live event industry.
• Copyright, Royalties, Publishing and Income Streams (SKU-BUS-13):
Builds on Level 4 knowledge, exploring copyright protection and monetization strategies.
• Specialist Collaborative Work (CIF-501):
Contributes to an interdisciplinary collaborative project using a chosen specialism.

Level 6:

• Leadership and CPD (CIF-603):
Develops leadership skills and engages with continuing professional development.
• Critical Review (CIF-601A/601S):
Involves a research or practical project critically reviewing issues impacting the music and creative industries, again with arts or science-related framework options.
• Leading Professional Collaborative Project (CIF-602):
Builds leadership and professional skills through an interdisciplinary collaborative project.
• Independent Portfolio (CIF-604A/604S):
Creates a portfolio and digital presence showcasing course output, work experience, and freelance work, with arts or science-related framework options.
• Media Engagement & Promotion / Campaign Management (SKU-BUS-14):
Explores campaign management, planning campaigns using innovative promotion and media engagement techniques.
• Performance and Technology (SKU-LPT-17):
Examines the use of technology in modern concerts (playback rigs, software, etc.).
• Music Business & DIY Artistry (SKU-CAS-07):
Focuses on music business fundamentals for songwriters, covering marketing, branding, distribution, and music law.
• Critical Reflection & Creative Identity (SKU-CAS-09):
Develops skills to analyze and evaluate creative intentions and understand the A&R process.

Level 7:

• Professional Practice Frameworks (CIF-701):
Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of professional sector-specific expertise.
• Applied Research (Focus and Impact on Creative Industries Futures) (CIF-702A/702S):
Evidences academic expertise in applied research, collaborating with communities or networks, with arts or science-related framework options.
• Ideas into Action (CIF-703):
Investigates project management processes from concept to release.
• Making Connections and Building a Community (CIF-704):
Develops networking skills and establishes connections with industry and community contacts.

Foundation Year:

• Specialist Entry Portfolio (CIF-001):
Develops a portfolio demonstrating readiness for the undergraduate program.
• Creative Project Management (CIF-002):
Provides project management skills.
• Creative Practice 1: Introduction To Instrumental Development (SKU-FDN-006):
Develops core instrumental skills.

Teaching:

ACM uses a blend of expert tutoring, professional mentorship, and 100 industry-developed modules. The program includes personalized 1-to-1 tutorials and practical experiences. Faculty includes Chas Wisdm (Senior Lecturer, extensive experience in hip-hop), Karl Gordon (producer with extensive industry experience), and AC (MC with experience in music, visual arts, and entrepreneurship). The teaching methods include lectures, seminars (online and in-person), skills units, online activities, masterclasses, workshops, independent study, portfolio building, and collaborative projects.

Other:

The program offers both a 2-year accelerated and a 3-year traditional delivery option, with a 3-year option including a foundation year. The accelerated program condenses a three-year degree into two years by adding a third term during the summer. Students still have seven weeks of holiday per year. The program is offered at ACM campuses in Birmingham, Guildford, and London.