MusicBA Honours

UCAS code W3003 Years

www.ncl.ac.uk/ug/W300Printed from the web page above on 29/07/2018

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MusicBA HonoursUCAS code W3003 Years

Develop into an accomplished musician with abroad base of musical and academic trainingon this rewarding three-year degree.

You'll gain a solid grounding in Western art music practiceswhilst enjoying the opportunity to study a range ofcontemporary, world, traditional and popular musics.

To help your performance skills, you will receive fundedone-to-one tuition from internationally recognised musicians- including members of the Royal Northern Sinfonia - andhave access to rehearsal spaces 24/7 in our £4.5m MusicStudios.

You can also choose to enhance your employability anddevelop career skills through modules in music enterprise,teaching music in the community and music teaching, aswell as placement modules.

You'll enjoy a high level of flexibility and choice, withincreasing control over what you study as the degreeprogresses.

This degree follows the same study programme asour Music BMus degree, except that BMus students spendan integrated year abroad, whereas for BA students it is anoptional extra year.

Highlights of this degreeQuality and rankingThe quality of music degrees at Newcastle is highlyrecognised.

• top 20 in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2019

What you will studyIn your first year, you study compulsory modules that coverhistorical, cultural, theoretical and creative approaches,such as:

• music history• performance studies• music theory and the foundations of composition

You will also select three modules from the following:

• world music• popular music studies• traditions of these isles• techniques of studio production and composition

In your second and third year, you choose from a broadrange of historical, cultural, theoretical and practical optionsoffered by the world-leading research-active staff atInternational Centre for Music Studies (ICMuS). Modules areoffered in the following areas:

• performance studies for soloist and bands• 'in practice' modules - in which you'll learn a new musical

practice such as Indian, salsa, baroque, opera and earlymusic practice

• composition - studio, notated, vernacular andexperimental

• theory, including advanced harmony and counterpoint,and music analysis

• musicology, including modules in methodology andapproach

• specialist modules focusing on particular periods, placesor musical traditions ranging from the Renaissance topresent day, and covering art, folk, popular and worldmusic traditions

You can decide the balance between each strand.

In your final year, you also complete a major specialiststudy, which could be:

• an original composition• a dissertation / project on an area of interest• an instrumental or vocal performance

See the Course Details section for more information.

Performance opportunitiesThere are excellent performance opportunities for musicstudents at Newcastle. You can showcase your skills as asolo performer and in a wide range of staff and student ledensembles and bands.

We offer a free professional concert series every Thursdaylunchtime during term time, followed by a studentperformance where you have the chance to perform for, andlisten to, your colleagues from all of our music degrees.

There is also a student-organised annual Summer MusicFestival, showcasing our students' talent and giving you thechance to gain real-world experience of event management.

Find out more about performance opportunities atNewcastle University.

Boost your employability with a work placementApply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optional workplacement between Stages 2 and 3. You can apply tospend your placement year with any organisation and willreceive University support to do so.

You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector,putting your learning into practice and developing yourprofessional expertise.

It will extend your degree by a year and is subject toavailability.

Find out more about Work Placements.

Facilities and resourcesStudy at Newcastle and you will join a supportivecommunity in the International Centre for Music Studies.

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TuitionWe have over 100 professional instrumental and vocaltutors delivering free one-to-one tuition across a range ofmusical genres, including members of the internationallyacclaimed Royal Northern Sinfonia.

FacilitiesOur purpose-built Music Studios give you access to a widerange of state-of-the-art facilities, including:

• rehearsal spaces accessible 24 hours a day• a large band practice room with full PA system and

lighting rigs• four acoustic instrumental tuition rooms with personal

recording facilities

Our base in the Armstrong Building offers a further range offacilities, including:

• King's Hall and Recital Room performance areas• music studios and recently refurbished teaching facilities• practice rooms and performance spaces• a PC suite running specialist music software• a large, recently refurbished student common room

Visit the School website to take a virtual tour of our musicfacilities

ResourcesWe have an excellent collection of instruments for you touse, including:

• orchestral percussion and drum kits• guitar amplifiers and PA equipment• several Steinway grand pianos and a newly-installed

organ in King's Hall• harpsichord• fortepiano• a number of other early music instruments including sets

of consort viols and baroque bows• a wide range of world music instruments

Our online archives include excellent resources forAfrican-American music, classical music recordings, NorthEast folk music, music from America’s past, and worldmusics.

Newcastle's iconic bridges at night.

Course Details

Modules for 2018 entry

Please noteThe module and/or programme information below isfor 2018 entry. Our teaching is informed by research andmodules change periodically to reflect developments inthe discipline, the requirements of external bodies andpartners, student feedback, or insufficient numbers ofstudents interested (in an optional module). To find outmore read our terms and conditions.Module/programme information for 2019 entry will bepublished here as soon as it is available (end of May2019).Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts foran academic year and you need to complete modulestotalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage. Furtherinformation, including the credit value of the module, isavailable in each of the module descriptions below.

Stage 1

Compulsory modulesMUS1012 Understanding Music HistoryYou would usually take the following module unless it isdropped in favour of a modern languageMUS1058 Performance Studies 1In the event of you electing to take 20 or 40 credits in aforeign language, the compulsory modules listed abovemay not be dropped. You should note that opting out ofMUS1058 at this stage will disqualify you from takingperformance studies (MUS2058, MUS3014, MUS3018) ata later stage in the degree programme.However, if you have dropped MUS1058 in order to takeMUS1059, you can progress to take ContemporaryMusic Practice MUS2059 at stage 2, and progress toSpecialist Study Performance options through that route.Optional modulesYou take two of the following modules:MUS1011 Understanding World MusicMUS1014 Introduction to Popular Music StudiesMUS1096 Traditions of These IslandsYou must take one of the following pairs of modules:MUS1001 Essentials of Music Theory   ANDMUS1002 Applications of Music Theory (Sem 2)MUS1004 Applications of Music Theory (Sem 1)   ANDMUS1044 Composing and Analysing MusicYou will also take either the paired modules or the singlemodule:MUS1005 Recording in the Music Studio   ANDMUS1015 Composing in the Music Studio   OR

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Stage 1

MUS1059 Contemporary Pop Performance

Stage 2

Optional modulesYou take optional modules to a credit value of 120. Youchoose at least one module from the following list:MUS2018 Contemporary Musical MaterialsMUS2044 Practising Music AnalysisMUS2050 Music Theory 2: Stylistic Analysis andComposition in Folk and Modal MusicsYou choose at least two modules from the following list:MUS2004 Themes in Musical ModernismMUS2051 Music before 1750MUS2053 The Singer, the Song and the Scribe: Balladsin ContextMUS2054 Music and Cultural TheoryMUS2060 EthnomusicologyMUS2083 American Popular MusicMUS2085 Popular Music and MediaMUS2088 Folk Music Studies: Resources and ResearchMaterialsYou choose at least one module from the following list:MUS2007 Early Music in PracticeMUS2015 Contemporary Studio PracticeMUS2017 Historic Techniques of CompositionMUS2041 Approaches to Notated ContemporaryCompositionMUS2058 Performance Studies 2MUS2059 Contemporary Music Practice 2MUS2084 Conducting StudiesMUS2195 Music EnterpriseMUS2196 Teaching Music in Community ContextsWork Placement (optional)You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optionalwork placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can applyto spend your placement year with any organisation andwill receive University support to do so. It will extend yourdegree by a year and is subject to availability. It isn'tavailable if you're spending a year studying abroad. Findout more about Work Placements.Intercalating YearIf you wish to spend a year abroad as part of yourdegree, you can do so in consultation with and at thediscretion of the Degree Programme Director in one ofour partner institutions. This is subject to a threshold of atleast 60% in the first three semesters of study. If youfollow this route, you will transfer to BMus (Hons) Music,W304. The Degree Programme Director will confirm thetransfer in each case.

Stage 3

Optional modulesYou will take one of the following Major Specialist Studymodules:MUS3012 Major Specialist Study: Composition*MUS3013 Major Specialist Study: DissertationMUS3014 Major Specialist Study: Performance*MUS3015 Major Specialist Study: Project*MUS3012 and MUS3014 are only available if you havesuccessfully completed the relevant pre-requisitemodules with a mark of 60% or higher.You may also opt for a Minor Specialist Study, whichmust be in a subject area that is substantially different toyour Major Specialist Study. You may wish to furtherdevelop the various "in Practice" ensemble options fromstage 2 as either a specialist study performance orproject.MUS3016 Minor Specialist Study: Composition*MUS3017 Minor Specialist Study: DissertationMUS3018 Minor Specialist Study: Performance*MUS3019 Minor Specialist Study: Project*MUS3016 and MUS3018 are only available if you havesuccessfully completed the relevant pre-requisitemodules with a mark of 60% or higher.You choose further optional modules from the list below,to make your credits total 120.MUS3003 Music in the Soviet Union (Level 6)MUS3004 The Folk RevivalMUS3025 Beethoven and his LegacyMUS3029 Music, Politics and PolicyMUS3038 Music and Identity in the CaribbeanMUS3076 Music and PhilosophyMUS3088 Folk Music, Gender and IdentityMUS3095 Music EnterpriseMUS3107 Sacred Song in the Middle AgesMUS3111 Teaching Music in Schools; Socio-CulturalContexts and Approaches to PracticeMUS3113 World Jazz (Level 6)MUS3196 Student Placement for Education in theCommunity

Teaching and assessment

Study at the cutting edgeOur International Centre for Music Studies has aninternational reputation for its research in musicology andcreative practice. You'll benefit from the expertise of ourworld-leading research-active staff.

Teaching methodsDifferent forms of music need different approaches to study.

Some of our modules are based around lectures andseminars, often with set reading or listening assignments,and other modules take the form of smaller specialisedstudy groups.

Performance modules are usually taught through acombination of individual one-to-one tuition, groupworkshops and specialist masterclasses.

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Assessment methodsYou'll be assessed by a combination of:

• examinations• written assignments• submission of dissertation or portfolio (of compositions,

harmony, recordings, counterpoint or music analysisexercises)

• live musical performance

Find out moreVisit our Teaching & Learning pages to read about theoutstanding learning experience available to all students atNewcastle University.

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis.

If your qualifications are not listed here, please see ouradditional entry requirements web pages to find out whichother qualifications are considered.

The entrance requirements below apply to 2019 entry.

Interview Days (all students)

What are Interview Days?Applicants we feel may be suitable for the course willtypically be invited to an Interview Day. These take placebetween December and April.

Our Interview Days are a very important part of theadmissions process for our Music degrees. They give us abetter sense of your individuality and strengths, and allowyou to find out more about studying with us. They consist ofa short, informal audition as well as a sample lecture,student performances and a tour of our facilities.

What to expect on the day

On the dayRegistration will be at 11am, followed by an introductory talkabout Music at Newcastle University. Lunch is provided, andthis gives you the chance to meet staff and current students.Interviews take place in the afternoon after lunch. You willalso have a sample lecture and a student-led tour includingtours of our rehearsal spaces, studios and recordingfacilities. You will have plenty of opportunities to askquestions about us, the course and the city. You will also beable to have a good look around the music department andto talk with our current students. The Interview Day will endat around 5.30pm.

The interview itselfIndividual interviews last around 30 minutes, consisting of ashort audition followed by questions from our staff. Youraudition piece should be around five minutes in length.Choose something you know well, and which clearlyillustrates your capabilities and musical style. We can’tprovide accompanists on the day, but you are welcome tobring your own or to play to a backing track. You shouldcome prepared to talk about your application, musicalstudies, and about your audition piece – why you chose it,it’s historical and cultural contexts etc. We will ask youabout your musical practice, musical interest, and howthese relate to the study of music.

What we look forWe are looking for an audition performance that showsconfidence and precision. Your chosen piece doesn’t needto demonstrate everything you can do, but it should providea good flavour of your musicality.

We hope you will communicate clearly and intelligentlyabout your audition piece, and about music more broadly.We don’t necessarily expect fully formed, highly detailedideas, but enough to get a sense of your potential.

We’d like to know what you’ve read, and how this mayinform your playing or composition.

Watch our five tips for music interviews.

Can’t make an Interview Day?If for any reason you are unable to attend any of ourInterview Days, please let us know so we can consideralternative arrangements.

For overseas candidates we can organise a Skype interview.

Notification of resultsSuccessful candidates at the initial application stage will beasked to attend an Interview Day. A decision about an offeris made shortly after interview. If we make you an offer wewill send you an email.

Candidates who are unsuccessful at the initial assessmentstage, or after an Interview Day, will be notified throughUCAS.

A LevelsABB including Music or equivalent. AS level Music may beconsidered, but will depend on the combination ofsubjects/qualifications being studied.

If A Levels do not include Music an offer of ABB plus Grade8 Associated Board/Trinity (Performance) may beconsidered.

Scottish QualificationsAABBB at Higher Grade, including Music, or BBBBBincluding Music plus Grade 8 Associated Board/Trinity(Performance). Combinations of Highers and AdvancedHighers accepted.

Scottish qualifications can be taken in more than one sitting.

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International BaccalaureateA minimum of 32 points with Music at Higher Level,Standard Level Music may be considered, but will dependon the combination of subjects being studied.

Irish Leaving CertificateH1H1H2H2H3 at Higher Level, to include Music, orH2H3H3H3H3 including Music plus Grade 8 AssociatedBoard/Trinity (Performance).

Access Qualifications30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit.ABRSM/Trinity Music Theory G5 also required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National ExtendedDiploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3Extended DiplomaIn a music-related subject, at overall DDD and ABRSMGrade 5 Theory in addition to the Diploma.

Cambridge Pre-UD3, M2, M2 in Principal Subjects including Music, or M2,M2, M2 including Music plus Grade 8 AssociatedBoard/Trinity (Performance)

Extended Project QualificationIf you offer the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification in atopic relevant to the degree programme, we may take thisinto account in our consideration of your application.

PARTNERS - A LevelsBBC including Music. AS level Music may be considered,but will depend on the combination ofsubjects/qualifications being studied.

If A Levels do not include Music an offer of BBB plus Grade8 Associated Board/Trinity (Performance) may beconsidered.

The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’ssupported entry route for students from schools andcolleges in England and Northern Ireland. Find out moreabout the PARTNERS Programme.

PARTNERS - Pearson BTEC Level 3 NationalExtended Diploma/OCR Cambridge TechnicalLevel 3 Extended DiplomaIn a music-related subject, at overall DMM and ABRSMGrade 5 ABRSM Theory in addition to the Diploma. Also,evidence of 'academic' writing on music required if notfulfilled by choice of units.

The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’ssupported entry route for students from schools andcolleges in England and Northern Ireland. Find out moreabout the PARTNERS Programme.

Additional InformationApplicants intending to take modules in performance shouldhave passed Associated Board Grade 8 or the equivalent orbe of a similar standard. Applicants may be invited to aninterview and a short audition.

English Language RequirementsApplicants whose first language is not English require aminimum score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

If you need help to meet our English Languagerequirements, we can provide support with extra tuition.

Read more about UK visas and immigration requirements.

Other International QualificationsABB at A level is typically the minimum required for entry toan undergraduate course. You can check the equivalentgrades for qualifications offered in your country.

We will also consider your application if you have lower ornon-standard qualifications.

Undergraduate Admissions Policy

See our 2018 Admissions Policy (PDF: 185 KB).

See further policies related to admission.

Careers

Careers in Music100% of graduates from our BA Hons Music degreewere employed or in further study within 6 months ofgraduating, earning an average salary of £20,831.*

Graduate employability is very important to us and isintegrated into the academic and musical life of all our musicdegrees.

Our degree programme typically includes modules in:

• Music enterprise• Teaching music in community contexts• Teaching music in schools

We also typically offer placement modules in artsadministration and community settings and schools. Wealso provide the option of gaining valuable work experienceas part of a placement year.

Our student-led Summer Music Festival gives students realworld in experience of event management and theopportunity to showcase music performance skills in front ofa paying audience. Teamwork and initiative are also fosteredthrough participation in music, presentations and writtenwork.

Studying music at university is intellectually and musicallydemanding. It requires students to engage in a range ofactivities including:

• performance• composition• improvisation• data analysis• research

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• critical enquiry

Recent graduates have become professional musicians orhave entered jobs closely linked to the music sector. Othersapply the skills they have developed on music programmesin a range of careers including:

• Education• Business• Media• Law• Healthcare• Marketing• Finance• IT

Find out more about what our graduates go on to do.

Find out more about the career options for Music fromProspects: The UK's Official Careers Website.

*Destination of Leavers of Higher Education(DLHE) data 2016/2017

What our graduates go on to do:employment and further studychoicesSee what our recent graduates went on to do and viewgraduate destinations statistics. These statistics are basedon what graduates were doing on a specific date,approximately six months after graduation. Take a look atthe most recent data available for our graduates.

The destination data is available in varying levels, beginningwith the University and moving through Faculty and Schooldown to individual course reports. This final level may giveyou some useful ideas about possible options after yourcourse or a course you are considering.

Careers and employability atNewcastleNewcastle University consistently has one of the bestrecords for graduate employment in the UK.

96% of our 2017 UK-domiciled UG/PG graduatesprogressed to employment or further study within sixmonths of graduating.

85.5% of our graduates are in graduate level employment orfurther study within six months of graduating.

We provide an extensive range of opportunities to allstudents through an initiative called ncl+. This enables youto develop personal, employability and enterprise skills andto give you the edge in the employment market after yougraduate.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest andbest in the country, and we have strong links withemployers.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees (UK students)

2019 entry*:£9,250 (subject to approval of our Access Agreement bythe Office for Students (OfS) in July 2018).For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.2018 entry*:£9,250For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.*Please note:The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UKstudents is set by the UK government.As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation, as measured byRPIX**.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to allthe items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgageinterest payments.

Tuition Fees (EU students)

2019 entry*:£9,250 (subject to approval of our Access Agreement bythe Office for Students (OfS) in July 2018). You will paythe same tuition fees as UK students for the duration ofyour course.For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.2018 entry*:£9,250. You will pay the same tuition fees as UK studentsfor the duration of your course.For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.*Please note:

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Tuition Fees (EU students)

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation, as measured byRPIX**.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to allthe items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgageinterest payments.

Tuition Fees (International students)

2019 entry:Tuition fees for 2019-20 have not yet been confirmed.2018 entry*:£16,800 per year*Please note:You will be charged tuition fees for each year of yourdegree programme (unless you are on a shorterexchange programme).If you spend a year on placement or studying abroad aspart of your degree you may pay a reduced fee for thatyear.The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightlyyear on year as a result of inflation, as measured byRPIX**.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to allthe items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgageinterest payments.

Scholarships and Financial Support (UKstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support (EUstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support(International students)

We offer our Vice-Chancellor's InternationalScholarships and Vice-Chancellor's ExcellenceScholarships to eligible international students.We also offer International Family Discounts which areavailable for all international students with a close familymember who has graduated from or is now studying atNewcastle University.Some of our subject scholarships and sportsscholarships are also available for international students.

Apply

Apply

Applying to Newcastle Universitythrough UCASTo apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle you mustuse the online application system managed bythe Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

UCAS codes for Newcastle University

• institution name - NEWC• institution code - N21

UCAS buzzwordAsk your teacher or adviser from your school or college forthe UCAS buzzword. You need the buzzword when youregister on the Apply system. This makes it clear whichschool or college you are applying from.

All UK schools and colleges and a small number of EU andinternational establishments are registered with UCAS.

If you are applying independently, or are applying from aschool or college which is not registered to manageapplications, you will still use the Apply system. You will notneed a buzzword.

Making your applicationOn the UCAS website you can also find out more about:

• application deadlines and other important dates• offers and tracking your application

Application decisions and enquiriesFind out more about our admissions process and who tocontact if you need help with your application.