Course summary

OVERVIEW The BA (Hons) Commercial Music will assist you in developing the critical skills to secure a role in the ever-evolving commercial music industries. Whether you’re interested in music promotion, songwriting, teaching, tour management, research, sound engineering or instrumental performance, you’ll be able to customise the programme to suit your career aspirations. There are three strands of study:   Songwriting & Performance The songwriting and performance strand is for students who have an interest in developing a career within the creative sectors of the music industries: not just songwriters, musicians and singers, but also community music practitioners in fields including but not limited to: music education, music therapy, and community arts, culture and heritage and theatre. Technology The technology strand is for students with an interest in the intersections of music, audio and performance. Working in our state-of-the-art studios, students will have the opportunity to develop expertise in the recording of live and studio performances, production, editing, post-production and mastering and the creation and production of music and audio for media. Opportunities for employment may include working for broadcast services, live events and sound companies, recording studios, media outlets and corporate events companies. Music Business & Creative Industries The business and industries strand is for students who seek to understand the music industries as part of the wider creative and cultural industries. Examining both the theories and practices underpinning the music and creative industries, students will have hands-on opportunities to be involved in real-world music enterprises. To date, students have participated in a series of music industry events, staged within the university environment as well as in the UK, Europe and North America. Employment opportunities include promotion and management companies, digital music firms, media outlets, artist management, as well as various entrepreneurial activities. The course has been developed in collaboration with music industry professionals, and focuses on contemporary issues in commercial music and the opportunities new media has opened up. PRACTICAL FOCUS Reinforcing the practical nature of the couse, lecturers are practising music industry professionals and guest speakers have included Shirley Manson and Ricky Ross. In addition, there are a number of different work-based learning opportunities for Commercial Music students. For example, you will have the opportunity to study and work abroad via work-related learning module, which allows a select group of students to work and study at our partner institution, the Harris Institute in Toronto, Canada. In addition, students enrolled in the work-based learning module also have the opportunity for work experience more locally and across the UK. In years past, students have worked for prominent companies including: DF Concerts, Soma Records, EmuBands, and the SSE Hydro.   PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION BA Commercial Music has Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES) accreditation. JAMES is a recognised PSRB (Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body) for undergraduate higher education courses reference. The courses is also identified as an Avid Authorised Training Partner and this provides assurance that you can get quality of training on Avid products and solutions as part of the course. CAREER PROSPECTS Jobs Graduates work as record company personnel, teachers, promoters, music marketing and PR specialists, tour managers, sound engineers, music lecturers, producers and performing and recording artists. Further Study Some graduates choose further study, leading to an MA, MSc, PhD or the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) teaching qualification - note additional requirements regarding English and Mathematics qualifications will apply for PGDE study.