Music Culture: Theory and Production is a dual programme that encourages students to develop their musicianship while developing a critical understanding of the place of music in the world. The two halves of the degree are not intended to be separate but instead to inform and interact with one another, so that the production informs theory and theory informs production. The degree is far-ranging and challenging in both its production and theoretical parameters.
Music Culture: Theory and Production is an innovative degree that encourages students to develop skills in music playing, production and performance while reflecting on the place of music in contemporary culture. Spanning jazz to rock to dubstep, the programme explores a broad range of popular genres from the dual perspective of the musician and the cultural critic. Delivered at UEL's Docklands Campus, the degree has acquired a cutting-edge reputation since its inception in 2003.
The theory component of Music Culture makes up approximately fifty percent of the programme and encourages students to analyse the relationship between sound and society. Deploying a range of historical and theoretical frameworks from the field of Cultural Studies, the degree analyses the way in which race, gender, sexuality, technology, economics and geography have intersected with sound and music since the rise of jazz in the early twentieth century. The degree's theory modules explore the way music generates its meaning and affects, the relationship between technology and creativity, the history of genre across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and the relationship between sound and the body.
The production side of the Music Culture degree introduces students to different forms of musicianship, ranging from established modes of instrumental playing to newer practices that have emerged around synthesizers and digital technologies.
Making up approximately fifty percent of the degree, the production modules introduce students to the core principles of instrumental music and digitally generated music, after which they explore various forms of music-making, including improvisation, production, interdisciplinary collaboration, digital sound, sound and the moving image, and sound and the internet. Production modules are taught within the framework of "critical practice", which encourages students to engage critically and self-reflexively with the music-making process.
Private Tuition and SongLab
The Music Culture degree supports students in their instrumental, vocal and production development by offering support for private tuition. Students are asked to make a contribution to the cost of the lessons, with the bulk of the tutor fee paid by UEL. In addition, a weekly non-assessed workshop called SongLab encourages students to develop their songwriting skills across a broad range of generic styles.
Students
Arriving from a wide range of musical and social backgrounds, Music Culture students are attracted by the panoramic scope of the degree and want to be challenged to broaden their musical horizon. In addition, Music Culture students understand that their musicianship will be enhanced by engaging with the culture and history of music, and that these studies will benefit, in turn, from their hands-on experience of making music. Music Culture students are also keen to live in London, one of the most important music-making cities in the western world. Having settled on London, Music Culture students are also drawn to the special position of East London, which has become the most dynamic region in the UK for making new and innovative music.
The minimum requirements for entry for Level 1 entry is 180 UCAS tariff points from:
A/AS level (Including 2 A2 passes), GNVQ, AVCE, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate. European Baccalaureate, BTEC / SCOTEC Diploma, Relevant Access Course or successful completion of the Level 0. Other qualifications, including overseas, may be considered.
Applicants require a qualification in Music, Popular Music or Music Technology, or a demonstrative commitment to making music.
Applicants who do not fulfil the admission requirements for Level 1 may be considered for entry into Level 0. Applicants should have 40 UCAS tariff points from GCE A2 or equivalent. We also welcome applicants from mature students who do not have formal qualifications but may have relevant experience. Students applying to this programme will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in this area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with the subject. Applicants may be invited for interview.
Overseas Qualifications
The number of overseas qualifications which are accepted for entry are too numerous to list, but you can get advice from the British Council or our admissions unit on 020 8223 2835. You must be able to understand and express yourself in both written and spoken English and some evidence e.g. For level 1 entry a TOEFL score of 550 or an IELTS score of 6.0 (no skill level below 5) and for Level 0 entry an IELTS score of 5.5 (no skill level below 5) would be required. For an explanation of qualifications, have a look at our IAG page on this site www.creativeway.org.uk/quals.
A Progression Agreement is a formal arrangement between two or more
education providers. It spells out what a learner needs to do to be
considered for a place on a named programme of study. Progression Agreements
may vary in the conditions they specify but they all aim to give guaranteed
pathways into higher education.
Advice on courses and careers:-
The Creative Way IAG team provides a specialist service for anyone
interested in finding out about courses and careers in the creative and
cultural industries. We can provide information direct to Students,
Parents/ Carers, Tutors and Careers Advisers via email, phone or organised
workshops and 1 to 1 sessions.
To find out more, visit our IAG page on this site on
http://www.creativeway.org.uk/IAG Or contact one of our career advisers: Matt Ball 07889 001764
m.ball@uel.ac.uk or Sarah
Comerford 07515 051509
s.comerford@uel.ac.uk