BA (Hons) Popular Music, Songwriting and Performance.

This module introduces you to the fundamentals of songwriting and music theory, helping you develop a range of songwriting approaches and composition techniques. You’ll explore melody, harmony, song structure, rhythm, lyric writing and arrangement across a variety of popular music genres, supported by analysis of key artists and songwriting teams.

Through practical and analytical activities, you’ll examine case studies of well-known artists and songwriters, exploring innovative approaches to the craft and practice of popular music songwriting.

Assessment: Online exam, composition and portfolio. 40 credits.

This module focuses on developing your musicianship and live performance skills within an ensemble setting. You’ll explore stagecraft, part-writing and live ensemble arrangement, while building the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to set up stage backline and manage effective rehearsals.

Practical workshops in our on-site venue will enhance your understanding of live sound and performance, including backline, front-of-house and monitoring systems. You’ll also develop your stage presence, performance techniques and rehearsal skills, building the confidence and knowledge needed to perform effectively in a live environment.

Assessment: A practical performance and written evaluation. 20 credits.

This module introduces you to the fundamentals of recording in a professional studio environment. You’ll explore different microphone types and their applications, alongside a range of recording technologies, including both hardware and software. You’ll develop practical skills in setting up signal paths and audio routing within the studio, while gaining an understanding of safe and effective working practices.

Through practical studio sessions, you’ll build the confidence and technical knowledge needed to approach recording projects independently.

Assessment: Practical signal path test and studio recording project. 20 credits.

This module explores the evolution of popular music in relation to key social, political and cultural developments. Through case studies and musical analysis, you’ll examine how external influences and technological advancements have shaped songwriting and production techniques across popular genres from the twentieth century to the present day.

Critical listening and textual analysis techniques will be used alongside contextual study skills to support your understanding of popular music theory.

Assessment: Presentation and written essay. 20 credits.

This module introduces you to the key sectors and practices of the contemporary music industry. Through lectures, workshops, case studies and tutorials, you’ll explore areas such as record labels, copyright, marketing and promotion, developing a broader understanding of how different areas of the music industry operate and connect.

You’ll examine current industry developments and emerging trends alongside established business practices, giving you the insight and knowledge to navigate the ever-evolving music industry and develop your identity as a music professional.

Assessment: Written report. 20 credits.

This module builds on the songwriting and theory skills you developed in Year 1, with a focus on refining and defining your own songwriting voice. In Semester 1, you’ll expand your songwriting vocabulary through melody writing, reharmonisation, modal harmony and lyric writing, exploring how these elements can shape your songs.

In Semester 2, you’ll build your production and arrangement skills through creative practice, exploring techniques used by influential artists and songwriters and applying these ideas to your composition portfolio.

Assessment: Composition, demo pitch and portfolio. 40 credits.

This module focuses on further development of your live performance and arrangement skills within an ensemble. In Year 2, you’ll explore the technical requirements and stagecraft involved in working with different ensemble sizes and performance styles, helping you create an engaging live show. 

You’ll also develop your technical planning skills, creating call sheets, technical riders and stage plots, while exploring how lighting, projections, props and other visual elements can be incorporated into your final performance.

Assessment: A practical performance and technical specification. 20 credits.

This module focuses on developing your production and mixing skills across different genres and musical styles. You’ll build on the recording skills you developed in Year 1 and explore how production techniques can support your musical ideas and shape your songs. 

Learning studio techniques such as advanced EQ and audio processing, you’ll learn to use analogue and vintage equipment, record music using both analogue and digital environments and explore how to creatively enhance your songwriting, arrangements and overall production skills to a professional standard.

Assessment: Presentation and applied production techniques practical. 20 credits.

In this module, you’ll explore how to present yourself professionally in the music and creative industries. From marketing and promotion to digital content creation and social media strategy, you’ll analyse real world examples and current trends to develop the skills needed to build an authentic brand identity within a competitive landscape.

Assessment: Creation of promotional pack. 20 credits.

This module offers you the opportunity to explore a topic that reflects your own musical interests and professional practice. You’ll design and undertake a personal research project that supports your individual creative direction. Throughout the module, you’ll develop independent learning strategies and enhance your ability to critically analyse your work within a broader musical and cultural context.

Assessment: Essay or part essay/part practical. 20 credits.

During Year 3, this module gives you the opportunity to bring together the songwriting, arrangement and production skills you’ve developed throughout your studies. You’ll apply creative approaches to develop a portfolio of work that showcases your musical style and artistic identity, as well as your unique approach to lyric writing, melodic form, harmony, arrangement and production.

Alongside this, you’ll explore self-promotion and marketing, developing the skills and confidence needed to present your work as a music professional.

Assessment: 30-min composition portfolio and press-pack.

This module will give you the opportunity to hone your live performance skills and develop an engaging live set. Working with different ensemble sizes, you’ll explore how different musical styles and live production techniques can shape a performance, while developing your understanding of the technical requirements involved in staging an effective and creative live show.

Throughout the module, you’ll explore current and emerging approaches to live performance and consider how technical and production elements can support your musical ideas. You’ll also continue to develop your collaborative skills when working with other musicians, helping you plan, rehearse and deliver a live performance that’s ready for an industry setting.

Assessment: Technical specification and performance. 20 credits.

This module gives you the opportunity to consolidate and apply the recording, production and mixing skills you’ve developed throughout your studies. You’ll explore the complete production process, from planning and recording through to editing, mixing and mastering, using creative production techniques to shape the sound, character and overall feel of your recordings, whilst strengthening your ability to make creative and technical decisions that support your musical ideas.

Alongside your practical work, you’ll reflect on your creative and technical choices, considering how your production skills have developed throughout your studies and how they can support your future creative practice and professional development.

Assessment: Production portfolio and written commentary. 20 credits.

This module explores the range of career opportunities available across the creative industries, helping you develop the skills and knowledge needed to build a career as a creative professional. You’ll explore entrepreneurship, self-employment and the different ways creative businesses operate, giving you a better understanding of how the industry works and where you could fit within it.

You’ll also develop practical skills to help you prepare for life after graduation, from building your professional identity and finding opportunities to working independently and developing your career as an artist.

Assessment: Project proposal and negotiated project. 20 credits.

This self-guided module gives you the opportunity to take ownership of your research and explore a topic that interests you. With support and guidance from your tutor, you’ll develop your own research question, plan and manage your project, and explore relevant primary and secondary sources.

You’ll develop your research, critical thinking and academic writing skills as you work towards an extended piece of writing that explores your chosen topic in depth.

Assessment: 4000 word essay. 20 credits.