Introduction
This degree should be your choice if you have studied music formally and wish to explore the technology behind music and audio. For many, music composition and performance is a central part of their lives. The realisation of this music may be through any combination of voices or instruments, traditional or electronic. As a musician, you get the best from your instruments by understanding how they are designed, and how they work. An ability to use audio technically is vitally important for enhancing sound and recording. If you have studied music in a formal context, and wish to study performance and composition within a technology-based course, this course is for you.
UWE offers a wide range of performance opportunities, from African drumming and mbira, bell ringing, big band, brass consort, chamber and full choirs, sax group, and woodwind group to the full symphony orchestra. We expect that, as a student on this course, you will really want to get involved in lots of these activities. Performance modules will give you experience of performing in and managing concerts with your fellow students, working together with UWE's Centre for Performing Arts.
This course is essentially about the application of technology in a creative environment. We have concentrated on current music and audio technologies and their application to creativity and the arts.
Content
The underlying content of this course is music and computing, allowing you to develop skills both on the stage and behind it. In your first year you will be introduced to the programming skills that you will continue to develop in subsequent years. A module in engineering principles gives just enough scientific emphasis to enable you to understand basic engineering concepts. You will study composition and keep up your performance skills by playing in a variety of settings.
The module Professional Studio Practice teaches you a professional approach to the use of the recording studio, covering not just how to use the equipment but providing you with the opportunity and direction to develop the professional approach to work which is expected at UWE. This includes those skills which have been specifically mentioned by potential employers, such as good oral and written communication, good interpersonal relationships, effective planning and conformity to recognised standards in a variety of areas.
Your second year will contain some technological aspects of music but with an emphasis on creativity and the creative application of technology. The course covers the physics of sound itself and how various musical instruments are engineered to produce their characteristic sound behaviour. Where this course really stands out is in the performance module, where, with staff help, you will work as a group to plan and execute public concerts. A module in business skills will assist this.
In your third year, you will have the option of spending a year on a salaried placement.
In your final year you will study acoustics and recording in depth, as well as the appreciation of audio for video and film. Module options allow you the freedom to develop your own particular specialisms. These options are likely to change, depending on staff interests, and in response to feedback from the music business. You will also undertake an individual final year project, a showcase for your composition and performance skills.
You can view the current course structure on our website. The course structures change from year to year. Therefore you might find some variation between that shown here and the final version of your course.
Placements
We encourage all students on our courses to do a placement year in an industrial, commercial or public sector organisation, doing work of value to the company. You will discover that the experience of being in a company is an excellent preparation for your future career and invariably improves final year performance.
There are many companies who provide placements to university students. Bristol Institute of Technology students have spent the year working in Chicago, Denver, Lisbon and Rome as well as closer to home with the BBC, Stage Electrics, Dolby and Acoustic Design to name but a few.
The Bristol Institute of Technology Placement Team have close links with the business community and advertise hundreds of work placements for our students every year. We will show you how to prepare your CV correctly, advise you on how to write letters of application and help you learn successful interview techniques.
Teaching and learning
We envisage that there will be a small group of you on this course, working together in the specialised Composition and Performance modules. For other subjects, you will join with students studying music technology from other aspects, so classes will be larger, including some lectures. Using a practical approach, during laboratory investigation and directed experiment, theory and principles can be more easily assimilated. Also, much of the work is carried out in pairs or small teams, which helps you to really understand difficult concepts by discussing them with friends and colleagues.
Study facilities
Facilities for music systems students at UWE are excellent. In our fully equipped music studio we have both digital and analogue consoles of a full professional standard. Multi-track recording, mixes, sequencing and recording are all done in the studio, and you will be able to produce your own CDs. There is an excellent range of microphones and many students use the studio to further their own musical interests.
Studying the technology behind music is very popular. We have recently built new additional facilities to allow for this increased demand. These include two new music control rooms, linked to the main music studio, and eight sound-proof booths where you can work on sound recording and mixing projects.
To find out more about our Music Technology courses and our facilities, visit our website.
Assessment
Each module is assessed individually. There is a mixture of assessment styles but the pattern of assessments is designed to be appropriate to the learning within each module. Some modules are assessed entirely on practical work and in-class tests whilst for others there are written assignments and end of module exams.
Careers/further study
As a graduate of this degree you will leave UWE both technologically and creatively proficient. You will be able to work with musicians and engineers, using acoustics and layout of performance space to create evocative recorded performances and to be inventive with sound. Opportunities exist in performance, production and concert management, as well as audio and sound engineering. You will also be ideally suited for work in any creative area including film, theatre, and the arts, which has a heavy reliance on technology.
Where are they now? Have a look to see what some of our graduates are up to.
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by JAMES, the education arm of the APRS and MPG. The Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS) and the Music Producers Guild (MPG) have combined their educational efforts to create JAMES, set up to support Education and Training. The APRS and MPG are the principal music industry associations representing recording and audio post-production studios, engineers, producers and manufacturers. JAMES accreditation is a both rigorous and supportive process which assesses the quality and suitability of a course to meet industry needs.
During the recent accreditation process JAMES assessors commented "The philosophy behind the team is very innovative and greatly benefits the students and the course. This innovative approach will ensure that UWE is at the forefront of this industry orientated education in the UK and internationally".
How to apply
Please see the general information about
applications.
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about
entry requirements.
Entry requirements
Who should apply?
If you are a musician who has a basic understanding of the underlying technologies involved in the creative arts, you will find this course both interesting and rewarding. You may have considered a degree in music, or a place at music college, but decided on something broader. You will be expected to bring your instrument(s) along with you and to participate fully in our Centre for Performing Arts.
Typical offers
- GCSE: Maths and English required.
- Tariff points range: 260-300
- Specific subjects: Music A2, Grade 8 Performance or National Diploma in Music Practice - plus at least one Science or Technology subject at A2.
- Relevant subjects: Any Science or Technology related subjects.
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of level 2 credits in Maths and English Language. Grade 8 performance in music required
- Baccalaureate EB %: 68-70
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