Programme Specification for Creative Musicianship BA (Hons)
This programme is offered at The Institute for Comtemporary Music Performance, London.
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Final award |
BA (Hons) |
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Intermediate awards available |
UG Associate Certificate, Cert HE, Dip HE |
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UCAS code |
W3C0 |
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Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
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Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications QAA Music subject benchmark statements
In addition these documents were also referenced; DublinDescriptors SEEC Level Descriptors |
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Date specification last up-dated |
Mar 2013 |
BANNER BOX:
The BA (Hons) Creative Musicianship focuses on developing students’ creativity and expressing their own unique ‘creative voice’ through performances and multimedia collaborations. Along with the development of musicianship and performance skills the course also focuses on the essential entrepreneurial and critical business skills that the creative musician needs to forge a successful career.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants will typically have GCE /VCE A levels equivalent to 200 UCAS points, Institute BTEC level 3 Diploma MP profile, Institute Higher Diploma BTEC level 5 pass profile or equivalent qualifications in suitable subject areas.
Applicants will usually be expected to possess 3 GCSEs with grades A-C, including Maths and English Language, and applicants who do not have English as a first language will need to meet IELTS 5.5 with no component below 5.5.
All applicants will be expected to attend an audition and interview which will assess their abilities in performance, aural perception, harmony and theory technical ability on instrument, chart reading and creativity.
The Institute also welcomes applications from established practitioners who are keen to undertake study at the HE level but may not possess the required qualifications.
Students may be admitted through Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes.
International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education undergraduate programmes.
Applications will be made directly to the Institute. The Institute Admissions team will manage the process internally.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
What is Creative Musicianship?
The BA (Hons) Creative Musicianship focuses on the development of students’ unique creative voice. This, along with the development of musicianship skills, instrumental performance skills, and the essential entrepreneurial and business skills will provide the tools needed to exploit ones creative ability and enjoy a ‘portfolio career’ in the music industry.
Programme structure
The BA (Hons) Creative Musicianship is a 3 year full-time programme that can be studied part-time over 5 years.
Learning environment
Modules are taught by lectures, small group lessons, practical workshops and technology sessions as appropriate at the Institute’s bespoke facilities in Kilburn.
Assessment
All modules are individually assessed through a variety of means, including practical exams, presentations, submission of portfolios, essays, reflective commentaries, and projects.
Work experience/placement opportunities
Students at the Institute are regularly offered to take part in professional practice through the student opportunities team. This typically includes auditioning for tours, gigs or other musical projects.
Project work
The BA (Hons) Creative Musicianship focuses a lot on collaborative and individual project work around creating and performing music. In Developing Performance Skills, Applying Performance Skills and Final Performance Project you will work as part of a collaborative ensemble in writing, rehearsing and performing your work. In Developing and Applying Creative Skills you will have the opportunity to collaborate with creative students from the wider arts.
Added value
By studying at the Institute you will be in a highly creative environment, with many hundreds of other like minded students. You will find this a highly stimulating, exciting and vibrant environment!
Moreover, as the Institute is located inLondonand at the heart music capital of the world, this provides students with unrivalled opportunities to experience and interact with all aspects of the music industry.
Students on the BA (Hons) Creative Musicianship will be offered many opportunities for collaborative work both with other Creative Programmes in Londonand professional organisations. These opportunities, offered in addition to the curriculum, are a great way for students to build their show reels.
IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME?
If you are interested in...
- Performing music within a band
- Creating music individually or in collaboration
- Developing your entrepreneurial skills and managing your own career
- Working within the wider music industry
If you enjoy...
- Performing music
- Using musical technology
- Being highly creative
- Collaborating with others
If you want...
- To develop your unique creative voice
- To improve your musicianship and performance skills
- To improve your instrumental/vocal skills
- To build your show reel while studying
Your future career
- Band Leader/Member performer/Co-writer
- Contemporary media/multimedia Composer/Writer
- Solo Performer/Artist/Writer
- Progression to post graduate study
How we support you
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 and drum booths.
In addition, all students have ‘open door’ access to the Programme Leader and their personal tutor.
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.
Bonus factors
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 student in the transition to the workplace.
The Hub provides a wide range of services to meet this aim, including 121 sessions (such as A and R, career planning, personal development), careers events and fairs, networking events, internships, auditions, student opportunities, 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.
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- Develop your creative skills and your unique creative voice
- Develop your entrepreneurial, business and networking skills to exploit your creative ability
- Develop your performance skills to a professional standard
- Prepare you for a portfolio career within the music industry and the wider creative arts.
What will you learn?
Knowledge (Understanding)
On completion of this programme, you will be able to:
- discuss the role of the creative music entrepreneur within the wider creative industries
- relate the strategically considered music performance influence to the performer/audience relationship
- identify the main professional music industry practices, functions and structures
- describe the broader role and functions of music in contemporary media
Thinking Skills
On completion of this programme, you will be able to:
- plan, implement and evaluate individual and collaborative projects
- construct a reasoned, evaluative argument with independent point of view
- reflect on and evaluate own creative processes
- contextualise music industry practice applications
Subject Specific Practical Skills
On completion of this programme, you will be able to:
- demonstrate technical proficiency on instrument or vocals in performance contexts
- demonstrate ability to use relevant music technology in the creation, recording and performance of music
- manage music performance projects as MD, composer and/or arranger
- manage music/creative projects using relevant management practices
Skills for Life (general skills)
On completion of this programme, you will be able to:
- work independently, manage time and organise work effectively
- collaborate effectively as a member of a team
- communicate effectively orally and in writing
- identify and manage own development needs
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
0 equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
1 equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
2 equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
3 equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
M equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 360 credits.
Typical duration
The expected duration of this programme is 3 years when attended in full-time mode or up to 5 years in part-time mode. It is possible to move from a full-time mode of study to a part-time mode of 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 and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year begins in September and ends in June. A typical student, in full-time attendance mode of study, will register for 120 credits in an academic year. A student in a part-time mode of study may register for up to 80 credits in any academic year.
What you will study when
This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A student registered in a full-time attendance mode will take six 20 credit modules (or fewer, if any are 40 credit modules) per year . An honours degree student will complete modules totalling 120 credits at level one, modules totalling 120 credits at level 2 and modules totalling 120 credits at level 3.
|
LEVEL |
UEL Module Code |
TITLE |
SKILLS MODULES |
CREDITS |
STATUS |
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1 |
PA1907 |
Developing Performance Skills |
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40 |
Core |
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1 |
PA1908 |
Developing Creative Skills |
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40 |
Core |
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1 |
PA1909 |
The Music Industry |
Y (Study Skills) |
20 |
Core |
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1 |
PA1910 |
Live Performance Technology |
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20 |
Core |
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2 |
PA2907 |
Applying Performance Skills |
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40 |
Core |
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2 |
PA2908 |
Applying Creative Skills |
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40 |
Core |
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2 |
PA2909 |
Entrepreneurship |
Y (Employability Skills) |
20 |
Core |
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2 |
PA2910 |
The Music Entrepreneur |
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20 |
Core |
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3 |
PA3908 |
Final Performance Project |
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40 |
Core |
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3 |
PA3909 |
Final Creative Project |
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40 |
Core |
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3 |
PA3910 |
Dissertation |
Y (Research Skills) |
40 |
Core |
Note that ‘Study Skills’, ‘Employability Skills’ and ‘Research Skills’ are embedded within the modules specified above.
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain anhonoursdegree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher
In order to gain anordinary degreeyou will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
- A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher
In order to gain aDiploma of Higher Educationyou will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher
In order to gain aCertificate of Higher Educationyou will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher
In order to gain an Associate Certificate you will need to obtain a minimum if 20 credits at level one or higher
In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:
A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
(A Foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree)
Degree Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Honours degree, and has gained a minimum of 240 UEL credits at level 2 or level 3 on the programme, including a minimum of 120 UEL credits at level 3, the award classification is determined by calculating:
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The arithmetic mean of the best 100 credits at level 3 |
x |
2/3 |
+ |
The arithmetic mean of the next best 100 credits at levels 2 and/or 3 |
x |
1/3 |
and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
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70% - 100% |
First Class Honours |
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60% - 69% |
Second Class Honours, First Division |
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50% - 59% |
Second Class Honours, Second Division |
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40% - 49% |
Third Class Honours |
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0% - 39% |
Not passed |
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Knowledge is developed through:
- Lectures
- Seminars
Thinking skills are developed through:
- Project work
- Seminars
Practical skills are developed through:
- Workshops
- Tutorials
Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through:
- Project work
- Lectures
- Seminars
Assessment
Knowledge is assessed by:
- Course work
- Presentations
Thinking skills are assessed by:
- Course work
- Demonstrations
Practical skills are assessed by:
- Performances
- Course work
Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by:
- Course work
- Presentation
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before this programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
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.
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 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 before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). 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 role of external examiners
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 us to make improvements for the future.
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module evaluations (e-survey)
- Course 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
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
- Annual student satisfaction questionnaire
- Questionnaires to former students
Where to find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site (http://www.uel.ac.uk)
- The student handbook (www.icmpstudent.co.uk)
- Module study guides (www.icmpstudent.co.uk)
- UEL Manual of General Regulations http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- School web pages (www.icmp.co.uk)
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
