The Principal Study module in years one to three is at the very heart of the learning experience, enabling students to develop a range of specialist techniques, practical compositional processes and individual creative ideas within the context of a broad knowledge and understanding of contemporary creative idioms and aesthetics. The module also allows students to focus on aspects of physical and psychological development which underpin their creative artistry. This module runs across the academic year, accounting for 40 of the 120 credits required. Principal studies are delivered through a combination of one-to-one tuition complemented by departmental specialist classes, workshops, talks from visiting practitioners, seminars and lecture series as appropriate to support students’ musical and artistic development.

During the year, students will typically receive tuition from two principal study tutors. This will take the form of 1:1 lessons and group plenary classes. The compositional voice and creative horizons of each student will be further developed through a range of specialist skills classes tailored to their individual compositional approach. Students will encounter a broad repertoire and a complex matrix of approaches to interpretation and realisation.

Throughout each year, you will receive additional tutorial support to track your individual practice and personal development through self-evaluation and reflection, to collate a personal e-portfolio. The portfolio will document a range of key elements also including achievements, specific challenges, notable musical or creative experiences and other work to support sustainable career development work, designed to inform and support your emerging creative and artistic identity.

A core 20-credit module in years one and two, Integrated Musician encompasses a range of theoretical and practical activities aimed at linking and integrating core skills in harmony, music theory, aural perception and embodied musicianship.

Small-group workshops promote understanding of tonal harmony and form through written exercises and analyses. Keyboard players will explore keyboard harmony techniques to support sight-reading ability and realising figured bass within continuo performance.

Weekly participation in choral rehearsals promotes the practical development of a full range of aural, musical and physical skills including singing, rhythm, sight-reading and improvisation. Repertoire sung in choir will include a broad range of musical styles, including African song, Indian Raga, Gospel and Rock/Pop in addition to Western Classical Music.

Integrated and embodied musicianship is further promoted through classes in the fundamentals of Alexander technique and complementary mind/body approaches.

A core 20-credit module in years one and two, Music & Society is also available as an elective module in year three for students who wish to further develop their critical enquiry skills in preparation for undertaking specialist, individual research-based projects in the final year.

The Music & Society modules aim to foster a contextual understanding and appreciation of the role of the musician in society; to enable students to make sense of their own experiences within a wider social and historical context and to stimulate further exploration through reading, listening and attendance at events, contributing to a broadening of creative horizons.

In the first year, a series of lectures focuses on individual composers, performers and styles that have transformed – and been transformed by – their societal contexts. Case studies cover a wide range of musical repertoires and styles from Western Classical examples through to Radiohead and Stormzy. Second year lectures focus on the ways in which music has been received by listeners and used in a wider context, including politics.

Seminar sessions allow further exploration of case studies through group discussion, while introducing the key methodological approaches to the study of music. Students receive support in the development of effective research, study and written communication skills as an integral part of this module.

Music & Society 3 seeks to introduce the student to the myriad ways in which music has been used to effect social change. The module will be taught in a seminar format in which key texts are explored through detailed discussion. The focus will be on the ways in which musicians respond to the contexts in which they live and transform society through their interventions. The module will also seek to develop advanced research skills, building on the work in the first two years of study. Contemporary approaches in musical scholarship, including issues of race, gender, and class, will be explored in depth. Students will undertake a large-scale project, which will involve a more sophisticated method of argumentation.

Engagement is a core 10-credit module running in each of the first three years of the course, introducing and consolidating the knowledge and skills required for participatory music making in educational and community settings. Students will develop an awareness of the theoretical, practical and ethical issues surrounding participatory practice, including important considerations of diversity and inclusivity.

During the first year, students work in groups to devise and record a musical performance or workshop suitable for dissemination to a specified community setting. In year two, they devise and deliver their own music workshop to primary-aged children. Year three focuses on specific skills and knowledge required for teaching beginners, with opportunities for students to gain practical teaching experience.

Collaboration is a core 30-credit module in each of the first three years of the BMus course, accounting for a quarter of the required credits. The aim of this module is to offer students the opportunity to develop skills in communication and creative interaction within collaborative contexts.

Students will work within a range of ensemble settings to produce original orchestrations or compositions, developing relevant materials and undertaking professional working processes in preparation for conducted and/or recorded performances. This experience will be supported by orchestration classes and creative workshops and students will be required to reflect on their personal and collaborative working processes by means of a written portfolio or video presentation. Tutors also submit reports evaluating creative engagement and individual contributions during the preparation and rehearsal stages.

These experiences enable students to further extend their knowledge of appropriate specialist skills and styles, with an increasing awareness of the expectations and etiquettes required for rehearsal and performance in professional ensemble settings.

The Creative Collaboration module is available at level 4 and 5 running in tandem with the Collaboration modules across years one to three. Student engagement with this module and participation within projects must be agreed and signed off on a case-by-case basis by the Module Leader and relevant Head of Study before the commencement of any project work. The module offers students freedom of opportunity to further explore and deepen their abilities and knowledge of music and creative performance within a specified, collaborative project. Projects will usually be significant in scope and require commitment over an extended period with a small or large musical ensemble or interdisciplinary creative group as appropriate to the project brief. The ethos of this module promotes exploration of diverse repertoires, genres, styles and creative approaches.

Inclusivity is fundamental to our success, and we actively seek greater diversity within all aspects of our course, and within our cohort. We offer an open invitation and welcome candidates from any background who meet the standard entry requirements or can demonstrate equivalency in skills, aptitude and potential to undertake the demands of the BMus programme. The College considers all cases of non-standard applicants on an individual, case-by-case basis. All non-standard entries are reviewed by the Examination Board, BMus Programme Leader, Director of Music and relevant Head of Study.

The selection process is the same as for standard applicants. Those who meet the Principal Study entrance requirements but do not have the minimum academic qualifications must demonstrate evidence of their general musical knowledge and academic abilities. Details of the evidence required will be set out by the College on an individual basis and will usually consist of a combination of the following:

• Evidence of musicianship and music theory skills and knowledge compatible with entry to the BMus Programme (e.g., music theory exam certificates or completion of the College’s initial Harmony and Theory online course)
• A sample of written work (e.g., an essay, piece of creative writing, or a blog)
• A sample of notational work (e.g. a composition or transcription)
• Evidence of prior artistic and musical experiences (e.g., concert programmes, audio or video recordings, competition adjudication)