Skip to Content

detail

Undergraduate Programme Specification

BA Music Performance

Academic Year 2021/22

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title BA Music Performance Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Bachelor of Arts
Programme Code MPF-BA-S UCAS Code W310 HECoS Code 100639 - Instrumental or vocal performa - 50
100657 - Popular music performance - 50
ATAS Clearance Required No
Mode of Study Full Time
Type of Programme Single Honours Length of Programme Full Time - 3 Academic Year(s) Total Credits for Programme 360
Exit Awards available

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Arts, English and Languages

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 6

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Music (2008)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None

Programme Specific Regulations

Some flexibility for students to take modules outside of this Programme is possible and will be decided on an individual basis. When permissible the following applies:
At Stage 1 a student may substitute up to 20 CATS of optional modules with the equivalent number of CATS from a list of approved modules beyond those listed.
At Stage 2 a student may substitute up to 20 CATS of optional modules with the equivalent number of CATS from a list of approved modules beyond those listed.

Students will be notified each academic year of the optional modules being offered in the following academic year. Students are advised that not all optional modules will necessarily be offered in each academic year. Also, the delivery of a module may be subject to a minimum number of enrolments as well as unforeseen circumstances (eg illness of a member of staff). The range and content of optional modules will change over time as degree programmes develop and students' choice of optional modules may also be limited due to timetabling constraints.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

Educational Aims of Programme: * In accordance with the University's Mission Statement, the new BA Music Performance, which has been designed to appeal to performers from a wide range of musical backgrounds including classical, folk, traditional, pop, rock, jazz, electronic and experimental, aspires to be a broadly-based, practice-driven programme. * Its unique educational benefits come from strong partnerships with the BBC, Ulster Orchestra, Opera NI, Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble, Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Moving on Music, Diatribe Records, DTS and Dolby – the Dolby Atmos immersive sound system is installed in SARC’s Sonic Lab, the only such available system in a UK HE institution. * The BA Music Performance programme will be taught, predominantly, at one of the UK’s the largest and best-equipped centres in the field of music and sound, the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC). * Students can expect to obtain a high standard of music/sonic arts expertise. * Through delivering dynamic world-class research, a wide education portfolio in an environment of equality, tolerance and mutual respect, the programme fully embrace its cultural and pedagogical role in Northern Ireland and beyond. * The educational aims are:

* To develop intellectual, creative, practical and technological skills in music performance

* To enrich experience of musical repertoires, their performances and their cultural contexts, while learning to evaluate primary and secondary sources and digital media resources

* To facilitate the study of music performance through a wide choice of practical modules, backed up by a selection of theoretical modules

* To learn to interpret a variety of data and information, helping students to pursue independent learning

* To deliver an innovative, broadly-based, flexible curriculum, in accordance with the QAA Benchmarks, that reflects the diverse field of scholarship and practice within the discipline

* To attract students from local, national and international contexts through various entry routes, and to provide them with the best possible learning and teaching experience

* To provide all students with the widest possible opportunity to pursue and extend their knowledge and understanding of Music Performance through a variety of learning methods

* To enable students to develop advanced critical, analytical and physical skills, as well as their creative and imaginative skills

* To improve students’ self-confidence, powers of concentration, understanding of group dynamics, and communication skills through a variety of oral, written, visual and performance media

* To introduce new areas of teaching and implement new pedagogical techniques and technologies in response to advances in scholarship technology, and educational research, student feedback, as well as the interests and aptitudes of staff members

* To enable students to collaborate in groups, giving and receiving feedback and to enable them to formulate critical arguments and viewpoints

* To provide a supportive and stimulating learning environment that enables learners with a variety of entrance qualifications to fulfil their potential and develop their capacity for motivated independent learning

* To provide appropriate learning resources, including suitable facilities for live performance and to supplement library provision by exploiting the possibilities offered by online learning

* To enrich students' learning experience by making use of interdisciplinary linkages /collaborations with subject areas within the new faculty but also with specifically selected industry partners

* To facilitate the acquisition of transferable skills in verbal and written communication, information technology, self-presentation and teamwork

* To encourage the adoption of professional standards: punctuality; reliability; commitment and self-discipline


* To embed a diverse range of generic and transferable skills in the programme, and thus prepare students for a variety of academic and professional careers

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Engage with and evaluate a variety of sources (texts, notated scores, recorded and live performances)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, class group-work, seminars, instrumental/vocal lessons, workshops, concert attendance; interpreting, analysing and discussing ideas generated through class discussion and group exercises

Methods of Assessment

Practical examinations, learning journals, class performances, concert reviews, podcasts and audio recordings

Understand complex issues and arguments and communicate this understanding both orally and in written form

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, class group-work, seminars, instrumental/vocal lessons, workshops; referring to current music repertoire and commenting on it both through oral and written work

Methods of Assessment

Learning journals, concert reviews, podcasts and audio recordings

Contextualise music performance and its history from a variety of perspectives and contexts

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, class group-work, seminars, instrumental/vocal lessons, workshops; forming independent views on a range of performances and styles and expressing them effectively through discussion and written work

Methods of Assessment

Practical examinations, learning journals, class performances, concert reviews, listening exercises, podcasts and audio recordings

Work independently and as part of a team demonstrated through individual and group work (practical)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Rehearsals, class group-work, workshops; balancing and managing the demands of conflicting deadlines and various types of formative and summative assessment effectively

Methods of Assessment

Performances (particularly ensembles), practical class presentations, listening exercises

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the history of different types of music styles

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Platform classes, providing a springboard for enquiry carried out through group work, individual tutorials and feedback sessions, independent study, and concerts by visiting performers and music producers

Methods of Assessment

Performances, learning journals, class presentations, concert reviews

Understand a wide range of musical histories and of their political, aesthetic, social and cultural contexts

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Platform classes, providing a springboard for enquiry carried out through group work, individual tutorials and feedback sessions, independent study, seminars and concerts by visiting performers and music producers

Methods of Assessment

Performances, learning journals, class presentations and discussions, concert reviews

Show an awareness of particular performance styles and their performers through independent study

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Platform classes, providing a springboard for enquiry carried out through group work, individual tutorials and feedback sessions, independent study, seminars and concerts by visiting performers and music producers, attendance at and involvement in regular concert events

Methods of Assessment

Performances, learning journals, class presentations and discussions, concert reviews

Understand and apply practically the evolving vocabulary of music across a range of styles

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Platform classes, providing a springboard for enquiry carried out through group work, individual tutorials and feedback sessions, independent study, seminars and concerts by visiting performers and music producers, attendance at and involvement in regular concert events

Methods of Assessment

Performances, learning journals, class presentations and discussions, concert reviews

Apply this knowledge practically through performances

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Platform classes, providing a springboard for enquiry carried out through group work, individual tutorials and feedback sessions, independent study, concerts by visiting performers and music producers, attendance at and involvement in regular concert events

Methods of Assessment

Performances, class presentations and discussions

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critically evaluate a variety of differently notated, improvised and performed music styles

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials, performance classes (delivered by students and also by external industry professionals and performers), the requirement within classes to work in groups is inherent to the programme)

Methods of Assessment

Practical examinations, learning journals, class performances, concert reviews, listening exercises, podcasts and audio recordings

Demonstrate a closer connection to their instrument musically and technically.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Individual and ensemble tutorials, performance classes

Methods of Assessment

Practical examinations, class performances, listening exercises, podcasts and audio recordings

Demonstrate a critical understanding of art-making, leading to a signature artistic identity within a well contextualised area of professional practice

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Individual and ensemble tutorials, performance classes, and independent enquiries into venues and music promoters, learning to design funding bids.

Methods of Assessment

Documentation of production process, final public performance/screening/exhibition, and online documentation of artistic output (e.g. Album, Film, Interactive Website)

Demonstrate practical experience of developing work in the professional domain, including the production and online dissemination of AV media-based works and/or artistic documentation

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Individual and ensemble tutorials, performance classes, and independent enquiries into venues and music promoters, learning to design funding bids

Methods of Assessment

Documentation of production process, final public performance / screening / exhibition, and online documentation of artistic output (e.g. Album, Film, Interactive Website)

Demonstrate improved playing style and instrumental/vocal technique

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Individual and ensemble tutorials, performance classes

Methods of Assessment

Practical examinations, class performances, listening exercises

Be more confident and creative, reducing stage fright as well as improving listening, social and ensemble skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Individual and ensemble tutorials, performance classes and final performances

Methods of Assessment

Practical examinations, class performances

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The delivery of verbal presentations and class feedback within small and large group contexts develops oral communication skills while written work (learning journals or concert reviews) develops well-structured and synthesised writing on a variety of performance styles

Methods of Assessment

Practical examinations, learning journals, class performances, concert reviews, podcasts and audio recordings

Show effective team-working and leadership skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Exercises within performance classes which exploit teamwork – reporting back on a topic within a given timeframe and adopting a position within the team that enables the group to deliver effectively generates vital team-working and leadership experience

Methods of Assessment

The strategy outlined here often feeds into individual methods of assessment such as learning journals. Group-work is sometimes assessed more directly, depending on the module, through class presentations and feedback contributions, or ensemble performances

Demonstrate efficient time management skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The management and prioritisation of a range of course requirements together with the ongoing discipline involved in working in isolation on continual development as a performer develops efficiency in time management.

Methods of Assessment

All methods of assessment have submission deadlines that require time-management skills on the part of the student. With performance modules, in particular, time-management is inherent in the learning process (e.g. attendance at rehearsals and in group performances)

Learn through independent study

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The process of independent learning is specifically inherent in performance related activities and is instilled from induction onwards

Methods of Assessment

All assessments require independent learning, particularly the practical examinations, but also learning journals, podcasts and audio recordings

Respond effectively and productively to constructive feedback on practical work

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The process of managing criticism and working with peer and lecturer feedback to improve work is encouraged throughout the programme

Methods of Assessment

Feedback on group-work and on individual and ensemble performance that respond to feedback during performance classes

Think and work creatively within a variety of contexts

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Creative thinking is inherent in the nature of the programme. The variety of performance contexts means that it takes different forms in teaching (individual and group tuition, lectures, group-work, performance classes, and learning strategies, both verbal and – in performance - non-verbal

Methods of Assessment

Performances, class presentations (e.g. answering questions and giving peer feedback)

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Fundamental Harmony MUS1013 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks Y YES 60% 0% 40%
Introduction to Film Studies 1 FLM1001 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Composition 1a (Acoustic Composition) MUS1011 1 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 65% 0% 35%
Music in History MUS1041 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Being Creative: Music Media and the Arts ESA1001 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Fundamentals of Sound MUS1010 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 50% 0% 50%
Introduction to Music MUS1002 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Audio Mixing I MUS1030 1 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 70% 30% 0%
Composition 1b (Sonic Arts) MUS1012 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Introduction to Composition MUS1005 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 50% 50% 0%
Scoring and Arranging MUS2053 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 80% 0% 20%
Songwriting MUS2055 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Sound Recording and Production 1 MUS1038 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 60% 40% 0%
Double Performance 1 MUS1019 1 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 80% 0%
Sonic Arts MUS2004 2 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 80% 20% 0%
Fame MUS2043 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 70% 30% 0%
Classical Analysis MUS2015 2 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Interactive Sensing Systems MUS2013 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Composition II MUS2011 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Notation and Transcription MUS2066 2 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Improvisation MUS2050 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 30% 70% 0%
Experimental Popular Musics MUS2033 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Interactive Media and Future Broadcasting BCP2005 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Radio and Podcast Production BCP2002 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Instrument and Installation Design MUS2034 2 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Sound Recording and Production 2 MUS2038 2 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Live Production Systems MUS2048 2 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Radical Musics: Understanding Sounds of Defiance across Disciplines HAP2000 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Sound Design for Screen MUS2036 2 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 70% 30% 0%
Music Psychology MUS2052 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Double Performance 2 MUS2019 2 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 30% 70% 0%
Gender, Culture, and Representation – Backwards & in Heels AEL2001 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 60% 40% 0%
Adaptation as Interdisciplinary Practice AEL2002 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Composition 3a MUS3011 3 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Double Performance 3 MUS3082 3 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 80% 0%
Dissertation MUS3084 3 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Special Project MUS3076 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Composition 3b MUS3012 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Sound Recording and Production 3 MUS3038 3 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
The Politics of Performance: From Negotiation to Display ESA3002 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 90% 10% 0%
Traditional Irish Music: Form, Style and Development MUS3069 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 40% 10% 50%
Auditory Perception MUS3010 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
MUSICS ON THE ISLAND OF IRELAND: PRACTICE, POWER AND IDENTITY ESA3012 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 40% 0% 60%
Politics in Popular Song from the French Revolution to Punk MUS3055 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Work-based Learning AEL3001 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Immersive Media MUS3007 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Audio Post Production MUS3009 3 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Composing for Screen MUS3014 3 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Orchestration MUS3020 3 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Sonic Arts 2 MUS3003 3 20 YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Professional Practice MUS3004 3 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Music and Medicine MUS3008 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%

Notes

Stage 1 Students must take 120 CATS. Necessary pre-requisites: MUS1011 - pre-requisite is GCSE Music or Grade 6 Theory MUS1013 - pre-requisite is entrance test MUS1030 Audio Mixing - pre-requisite is MUS1036 MUS1041 - pre-requisite is GCSE Music or Grade 6 Theory

Stage 2 Students must take 120 CATS points. Students are not permitted to take any more than 2 non-MUS modules. Necessary pre-requisites: MUS2004 - pre-requisite is MUS1012 or MUS2036 MUS2011 - pre-requisite is MUS1011 MUS2015 - pre-requisite is MUS1013 MUS2034 - pre-requisite is MUS2013 MUS2036 - pre-requisite is MUS1038 MUS2038 - pre-requisite is MUS1030 Audio Mixing MUS2048 - pre-requisite is MUS1030 Audio Mixing MUS2066 - pre-requisite is Pre-Requisites: A-Level Music Grade C or Grade 8 Theory

Stage 3 Students must take 120 CATS points. Necessary pre requisites: MUS3003 - pre-requisite is MUS2004 MUS3009 - pre-requisite is MUS2036 MUS3011 - pre-requisite is 58% or above in MUS2011 MUS3012 - pre-requisite is 58% or above in MUS3011 MUS3014 - pre-requisite is MUS2004 or MUS2011 MUS3020 - pre-requisite is MUS2053 MUS3038 - pre-requisite is MUS2038 MUS3076 pre-requisite: 55% average in MUS2043. Proposal by Induction Week MUS3084 pre-requisite: Normally 62% average in MUS2043. Proposal by Induction Week