Program Overview

Introduction to Creative Music Technology BMus (Hons)

The Creative Music Technology BMus (Hons) program at the University of Surrey offers students a comprehensive education in music technology, preparing them for careers in the music industry. This program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the creative industries, with a focus on music technology and electronic music production.

Program Structure

The program is divided into three years of study, with a range of compulsory and optional modules. In the first year, students take modules such as Sound Design, Composing Electronic Music A, and Harmony 1: Common-Practice Harmony. In the second year, students take modules such as Creative Music Technology Practice A, Recording and Production B, and Music, Sound, Image. In the third year, students take modules such as Immersive Sound Practices, Creative Coding B, and Composition 3A.

Modules

• Sound Design: This module introduces the theoretical, aesthetic, and practical issues of sound design within a variety of electronic music contexts.
• Composing Electronic Music A: This module is one of two in the first year designed to develop students' music technology skills in relation to compositional creative practice.
• Harmony 1: Common-Practice Harmony: The purpose of this module is to enable students to increase their understanding of the principles of common-practice harmony in preparation for more advanced harmonic study in later modules.
• Creative Music Technology Practice A: This module is one of two in the second year that builds on the understanding of creative practice and technical skills in relation to making electronic music acquired in the first year.
• Recording and Production B: This module follows on from the module Recording and Production A in the first year and reinforces and extends the key principles and skills related to audio recording and music production.
• Music, Sound, Image: This module introduces the history and practice of creating music and sound design for the moving image in a variety of contexts.
• Immersive Sound Practices: This module centers on a range of immersive sound contexts and practices, including binaural audio and multi-channel audio.
• Creative Coding B: This module is designed to further extend the creative coding skills developed in the Creative Coding A module.
• Composition 3A: This module is designed to provide students with the technical knowledge, musical/artistic sensibility, and breadth of repertoire to enhance the quality of their music to the threshold of professional level.

Career Opportunities

The Creative Music Technology BMus (Hons) program prepares students for a wide range of careers in the music industry, including music production, sound design, and composition. Graduates have gone on to work in the music industry, as well as in related fields such as film and television production.

Facilities

The University of Surrey has a range of facilities available to students, including the Music and Media's Performing Arts Technology Studios (PATS), which underwent a £1.7m refurbishment and expansion in 2022. The Synth Lab is a world-class facility containing a unique selection of synthesizers, and the Immersive Mix Studio is one of the best immersive music mixing rooms in the country.

Entry Requirements

The typical offer for the Creative Music Technology BMus (Hons) program is BBB at A-level, with Music or Music Technology at Grade B. Applicants with a strong music background who are not taking one of the required subjects may be considered subject to interview. ABRSM Grade 5 Theory or equivalent is recommended.

Fees and Funding

The annual tuition fees for the Creative Music Technology BMus (Hons) program are to be confirmed for UK students and £23,700 for overseas students. Professional training placement year fees are approximately 20% of the full-time UK fees of the academic year in which the placement is undertaken.

Placements and Study Abroad

The University of Surrey offers a range of placement and study abroad opportunities, including the Professional Training placement scheme, which gives students the chance to spend a year in industry, either in the UK or abroad. Students can also study abroad at one of the University's partner institutions around the world.

Conclusion

The Creative Music Technology BMus (Hons) program at the University of Surrey is a comprehensive and innovative program that prepares students for careers in the music industry. With its focus on music technology and electronic music production, this program is ideal for students who want to pursue a career in the creative industries. The program's strong industry connections and excellent facilities make it an attractive option for students who want to succeed in the music industry.