Music, BA (Hons)

Course summary

Our Music BA degree has been designed to develop your particular interests in music-making. It aims to equip you with a solid grounding in the craft of creativity which reflects the diversity of musical styles and genre in today’s world.In your first year you will gain a strong understanding of composition, performance and musicology. You will also be introduced to sonic arts and sound recording. Your peer group of musicians will discuss, review and give you constructive feedback on your musical activities.You can choose from a range of optional modules in your second year and final year. This means you develop your own bespoke pathway during your music course, and this prepares you for your chosen career in the music world. Examples of specialist options you could choose include orchestration and arrangement, and taking sonic art to the stage.You will be taught by some of the leading figures in today’s contemporary music comprising composers, performers and musicologists. They are performing, composing and writing books, and have strong connections with the music community in London, the UK and in Europe. This opens up opportunities for you to collaborate with them and work together on installation projects. Our music facilities include a fully sound-proofed recording studio for rehearsals, and performance spaces and practice rooms equipped with grand pianos, drum kits and amps. Access is available to an editing suite with Mac computer workstations where you’ll work on your music using industry standard music making software.During your time at Brunel, you’ll benefit from guest lectures delivered by leading figures in the music industry who give advice on music promotion and how to get a gig. In addition, you have the advantage of Brunel’s close location to London’s exciting music scene for planned trips to music concerts, festivals, galleries, and museums.Our music undergraduate degree can be studied full-time over three years, four years with a placement year, or part-time over six years.We encourage the placement year option. This time in the music industry helps you to further prepare for the world of work and you’ll have a year’s worth of invaluable professional experience when you graduate. If you decide to go on a music work placement year, you could find yourself working at record companies, TV companies, or teaching music in a school.You’ll have the opportunity to showcase your musical talent before you graduate alongside external musicians. There are a variety of performances hosted by Brunel including concerts, recitals and ensembles where you’ll be able to network and gain feedback on your creativity from the visiting music artists.

Year 1 Ensemble 1: The Art of Performing Materials of Music 1: Inside the Language Ways of Hearing 1: Genres Through Time Composing 1: Capturing Ideas Studio Production 1: Introduction to the Art of Sound and Technology Professional Development 1: Building a Collaborative Musical Project from A-Z Year 2 Core Modules Materials of Music 2: Outside the Box From the Inside Ways of Hearing 2: The Theatre of Technology Professional Development II: Communicating and Teaching Optional Modules Ensemble 2: Leadership, Directing and Improvisation Composing 2: Craft and Development Studio Production 2: Advanced Techniques and Designing Your Own Tools Orchestration and Arrangement Interdisciplinary Project: Learning Collaboration Year 3 Core Modules Professional Independent Project Optional Ensemble 3: Creating Performance Materials of Music 3: Advanced Technical Portfolio Ways of Hearing 3: Cultures and Subcultures Composing 3: Advanced Portfolio Studio Production 3: Taking Sonic Art to the Stage