The contemporary musician must operate in a fast changing and diverse arena. Opportunities are varied and only flexible and entrepreneurial musicians will be able to capitalise from this environment. This programme challenges the student to achieve advanced standards on their instrument and to develop their critical and analytical skills at the highest level.

It will challenge them to develop the highest levels of instrumental skill through individual lessons, and well as their leadership and musical management skills through the leading of an ensemble, culminating in a performance of challenging original and existing repertoire.

They will be challenged to consider and master the range of attributes that a successful studio based performance must contain.

They may select from options that include an investigation of a performance tradition, the use of music in health and wellbeing and the cultural aspects of music.

Students will also produce a significant body of work for recital and will produce supporting research that underpins and informs their final project.

The Institute has an international reputation, with alumni who have performed, produced and written with artist as diverse as Adele, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Keane and Cathy Denis.

Applicants will normally have a good honours degree (upper second or first) or equivalent, or comparable professional or research experience; in case of the latter, applicants would be required to submit video, audio or other appropriate evidence of achievements (this may be discussed with Admissions personnel in cases of uncertainty in this regard).

Applications will be assessed through a two-stage process;

Phase 1

Candidates to submit one hard copy of each of:

• Cover letter of application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Copy of undergraduate dissertation (or equivalent piece of work)
• 2 personal references (including one from undergraduate institution where appropriate)
• 500-word proposal for Masters Dissertation (which may later be revised in discussion with your Module Leader)

Phase 2

Successful candidates from Phase 1 are invited to attend in person for:

•           Recital of 2 pieces – one from prescribed list, another of free choice

•           Interview with Panel

Eligibility for students without degree-equivalent qualifications will be assessed on the basis of the phase one submissions.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

All students will do Advanced Instrumental Studies (30 credits), Advanced Ensemble Studies (30 credits), Studio Performance (30 credits) and Performance Research Project (60 credits).

Students also select one option from Cultural and Philosophical Studies (30 credits), Music and Wellbeing (30 credits) or Investigating Performance Traditions (30 credits).

Full-time students will typically attend for two days per week, and part-time students for one day.

Modules are taught by lecture, seminar discussion, and practical workshops as appropriate at the Institute’s bespoke facilities in Kilburn. Students are also expected to engage in significant amount of independent learning, using libraries, concert venues, rehearsal facilities and the internet as suits a given task, module or learning outcome.

Each module must be completed and all are individually assessed. Assessment is normally based on one or two pieces of work, a recital or performance, or submission of a portfolio.

Details of assessment for each module are clearly stipulated in the Programme Handbook, and variously include seminar presentations, essays or a collaborative performance project. All students must complete a research project.

The programme enables students to develop deep and systematic understanding of a range of skills enabling them to work as musicians at the highest level. Students will develop autonomy, and the practical critical and intellectual skills relevant to creating and grasping a wide range of professional opportunities as contemporary musicians.

The Performance Research Project is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop a self-initiated musical repertoire and body of work on a theme of their own choice. They must also demonstrate a critical, reflective understanding of the approaches, practices and knowledge deployed and acquired in this work.

By studying at the Institute students will work in a highly creative environment, with many hundreds of other like-minded and energetic students. This is a highly stimulating, exciting and vibrant environment! Students are expected to add to as well as to benefit the tangibly creative and entrepreneurial culture at the Institute.

The Institute is located inLondon– at the heart of the music capital of the world; this provides students with unrivalled opportunities to experience and interact with all aspects of the music industry and allied professions in the arts, media and research.

The MMus will prepare students for careers or progression to:

• PhD or DMA in theUKor internationally
• Band leader
• Uniquely creative performing musician
• Private teaching
• Highly able collaborative artist

All students have access to the Student Services Department for support and advice concerning welfare, finance, personal development, safeguarding etc. You also have access to ‘The Hub’; the Institute Professional Development team, who provide careers advice, student opportunities, auditions, internship, gigs, etc.

You will also have access to the Learning Resource Centre, containing key texts and industry journals, online resources, listening library, PC resources etc., as well as access to the wider Institute facilities which include rehearsal / performance studios, project studio, digital audio workstations, drum booths.

In addition, all students have ‘open-door’ access to their Programme Leader, personal tutor and are invited to research seminars.

As a student of UEL you will also enjoy access to a range of UEL facilities, including the 24/7 multimedia libraries, with over 300,000 books, journals, audio-visual resources and archives, 500 electronic books and 25,000 electronic journals and databases.

Studying inLondon, the musical capital of the world, provides opportunities to engage with the music industry that are unequalled. Students have immediate access to gigs, events, conferences, industry, promoters, agents, mangers, aggregators and distributors, fixers, agents, publicity and PR agents.

The Institute also has a dedicated Careers Service, known as ‘The Hub’, whose remit is to support and assist students in transitions to the workplace. The Hub provides a wide range of services to meet these aims, including one-to-one sessions (such as A and R, career planning and personal development), careers events and fairs, networking events, internships, auditions, performances, showcases, industry days, etc.

Members of the Institute faculty are drawn from a pool of musicians and business leaders who have all performed at the highest levels professionally. More importantly, all are still active in their fields, allowing students to benefit from their practical experience and industry networks.

• Enhance your musical performance skills at the highest level through the development of advanced original and received repertoires
• Prepare you for the next stage in your career through the development of decision making skills in complex situations, and through leading and managing an ensemble
• Acquire systematic understanding of knowledge, critical awareness of the current issues and developments in contemporary music
• Enable you to deploy research and theory in the preparation, performance, evaluation and reflective assessment of a performance of a body of work

Knowledge

1. concepts underpinning the practical and theoretical disciplines of both individual and ensemble performance
2. critical awareness and understanding of the principles of performance
3. highly advanced skills in reflexive performance
4. creative, re-creative, and original application of knowledge

Thinking skills

1. ability to critically analyse, compare and evaluate arguments and concepts
2. ability to critically assess evidence
3. ability to organise ideas, to develop and synthesise coherent argument/s
4. ability to critically select and analyse relevant texts (audio, written, visual etc.)

Subject-Based Practical skills

1. individual and ensemble performance skills at the highest level

10. decision making and leadership in complex musical situations

11. collaboration and negotiation in creative situations

12. contemporary recording protocols

Skills for life and work (general skills)

13. confidence in exercising initiative and taking responsibility

14. presentation skills

15. autonomous research and writing skills

16. independent and collaborative project management and leadership skills

17. autonomy as an independent and self-critical learner

The typical duration of this programme is one year full-time or two years part-time.  It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments.  Many of our students make use of this flexibility, although it often necessarily impacts on the overall duration of their study period.

The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length.  A typical student registered in a full-time attendance mode will study two 30-credit modules per semester and a typical student registered in a part-time attendance mode will study one 30-credit module per semester. The Performance Research Project occurs during the summer period.

The programme will intake at October only and will be available full-time over one calendar year or part-time over two calendar years. There is no February/mid-year intake, as numbers on the programme are limited and the programme constructed such that modules must be undertaken in a particular order; it is essential to the success of all students on the MMus that they are able to work collaboratively and in parallel with peers who are at the same stage of the programme.

Students will study Advanced Instrumental Studies and Advanced Ensemble Studies in Semester A, both of which will culminate in recitals. In Semester B students undertake Studio Performance and select one of the available options. In the summer semester, typically, students would complete their Performance Research Project.

Full-time students complete the Programme in one year whilst part-time complete in two.

Knowledge is developed through:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• One-to-one lessons (tutorials)
• Workshops

Thinking skills are developed through:

• Reading
• Critical analysis and evaluation
• Research
• Reflective critique

Practical skills are developed through:

• Performance
• Media production
• Research
• Presentations

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through:

• Presentations
• Writing
• Research
• Attending concerts and conference events
• Networking

Knowledge is assessed by

• Course work
• Seminar presentations
• Performance

Thinking skills are assessed by

• Course work
• Seminar presentations
• Research

Practical skills are assessed by

• Performance
• Oral and written presentation
• Media production

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Performance
• Research
• Oral and written presentation

Before this programme started, the following were checked:

• There are sufficient qualified staff to teach the programme;
• adequate resources will be in place;
• the overall aims and objectives are appropriate;
• the content of the programme meets national Level 7 Descriptor requirements (although there are none for music at Masters level);
• the programme meets any professional/statutory body requirements;
• the proposal meet other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning  and assessment strategy, and student support mechanisms.

This was achieved through a process of programme approval which involved consulting academic and music industry experts including subject specialists from other academic institutions in the UK and internationally.

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

• external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
• statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
• student feedback.
• tutor feedback

Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student and alumni participation. The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.

Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists.  The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff, managers and faculty before drawing its conclusions.  The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others (e.g. library/technician staff) who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme. The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality.  The programme committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures.

The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner.  External examiners have two primary responsibilities:

• To ensure the standard of the programme;
• To ensure that justice is done to individual students.

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

• Approving exam papers/assignments;
• Attending assessment boards;
• Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
• Ensuring that regulations are followed;
• Providing feedback through an annual report that enables the programme leadership to make improvements for the future.

The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:

• Module evaluations (e-survey)
• Programme evaluations (e-survey)
• Student representation on programme committees (meeting each semester)
• Academic Programme committee (meeting annually)
• Suggestions box

Students are notified of the action taken through:

• Publishing the minutes of the Student Rep meeting on the student website
• Providing details on the programme notice board

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

• Annual student satisfaction questionnaire
• Alumni questionnaires
• Industry liaison
• Student Representatives
• Suggestions received informally or ad-hoc from staff, teaching faculty, students, alumni and colleagues from other institutions.