Program Overview

Music BA (Hons) Program Overview

The Music BA (Hons) program at Northumbria University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in music, encompassing performance, composition, musicology, and music education. The program aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and critical thinking necessary for a successful career in music.

Program Structure

The program is structured over three years, with optional modules and pathways that allow students to tailor their studies to their interests and career goals. The program includes a range of core and optional modules, including:

• Theory and Musicianship: This module covers the notation of rhythm, pitch, scales, and modes, as well as intervals, chord progressions, and keyboard skills.
• Millennium of Music (Part I and II): These modules provide a broad overview of Western art music from the Middle Ages to the present day, exploring the historical and cultural contexts of music.
• Performance 1, 2, and 3: These modules focus on individual instrumental or vocal tuition, with an emphasis on developing technique, expanding repertoire, and engaging critically with musical performance.
• Techniques of Composition, Harmonic Analysis, and Improvisation: This module explores the study of techniques of composition, harmonic analysis, and improvisation, with a focus on late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century music.
• Essential Skills for the 21st-Century Musician: This module develops skills necessary for a freelance career, including keyboard skills, conducting, and vocal skills, as well as marketing, self-promotion, and time management.

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for the Music BA (Hons) program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Standard Entry: 96 to 112 Tariff Points from a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications, such as A-levels, T Levels, BTEC Diplomas, or International Baccalaureate.
• Subject Requirements: No specific subject requirements, but applicants are expected to have a strong musical background and performance ability.
• GCSE Requirements: Applicants must have Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C.
• Additional Requirements: A video recording demonstrating performance ability and a discussion with academics about the application.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the Music BA (Hons) program are as follows:

• UK Fee in Year 1: TBC (to be confirmed)
• International Fee in Year 1: £19,850

Research Areas

The program covers a range of research areas, including:

• Music History: The study of Western art music from the Middle Ages to the present day.
• Musicology: The study of music as a social and cultural phenomenon.
• Performance Practice: The study of historical performance practices and their application to modern performance.
• Music Education: The study of music teaching and learning, including pedagogy, curriculum design, and assessment.

Career Opportunities

The Music BA (Hons) program prepares students for a range of career opportunities, including:

• Music Performance: Students can pursue careers as professional musicians, performing in a variety of settings, including orchestras, ensembles, and as soloists.
• Music Education: Students can pursue careers in music teaching, either in schools or as private tutors.
• Musicology: Students can pursue careers in music research, criticism, or journalism.
• Music Industry: Students can pursue careers in the music industry, including management, marketing, and production.