BA (Hons) Music Production Programme Specification UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17 1. Awarding Institution / Body University of Central Lancashire 2. Teaching Institution University of Central Lancashire Preston campus Omiros/Aegean College Athens Futureworks Manchester Pulse Recording College, Dublin - Ireland 3. University School Art, Design and Performance 4. External Accreditation none 5. Title of Final Award BA (Hons) Music Production 6. Modes of Attendance offered Full-time & Part-time 7. UCAS Code UCLan - WJ39 BA/MUP 8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s) Dance, Drama and Performance Music Communications, Media, Film and Cultural Studies 9. Other external influences Apple and Avid Vendor Qualifications 10. Date of production/revision of this form July 12
11. Aims of the Programme The specific aims of the Music Production programme are to: Develop the practical skills and knowledge required to work in the dynamic area of music production and technology. Develop both creative strategies and an underpinning practical and theoretical knowledge of music production techniques through creative assignments and projects. Provide the student with a broad critical, analytical and contextual understanding of Music Production techniques that will equip the graduate with skills that can be directly transferred into the work place. Give the student opportunities to develop the skills and attributes needed in order to devise original creative works in the areas of sound recording and design, music technology and related media and to provide personal presentation and project development skills. The course aims to cover key areas such as; Creative Production Skills Recording techniques Sequencing Sampling Sound Processing Sound and Vision for Installation Project development and leadership E-Music and Marketing Research skills The general aims for Music Production are as follows Creative skills 1.1 to develop recording/production skills and making (composing/devising) skills 1.2 to develop technical and academic skills Professional attributes 2.1 to develop knowledge of the industry and professional standards; 2.2 to develop an understanding of personal capability and competence. Throughout the three levels of the programme, five creative skill-specific aims exist. They are: 1. to increase knowledge of music production technologies and improve practical skills in this area 2. to formulate strategies to enable the creating of new work; 3. to apply experimental processes which result in innovative practice; 4. to produce work with respect to other media and the curriculum of associated courses 5. to ensure accurate self-evaluation of personal abilities and group and audience requirements. 2
The professional attributes are addressed by strategies designed to: encourage the analysis and assessment of problems and the testing of creative solutions; promote personal development, self-reliance and effective communication; measure and develop the effectiveness of the individual within a team; implement and appraise planning and development schemes; develop production skills. At all levels you will be given the opportunity to develop: an awareness of your present level of key skill acquisition; an understanding of the importance of effective development planning within personal progression. All the above aims are based upon: your previous study and experience; the vocational needs and the requirements of the workplace. 12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods A. Knowledge and Understanding A.1 Demonstrate the use of critical and contextual language and evaluation in relation to music production, performance, cultural events and products. A.2 Discuss relevant historical and current examples which outline the origin, development and changing nature of structures within the performance and media industries A.3 Recognise the context for their compositional approach and production processes A.4 Understand the technical processes involved in the realisation of musical ideas A.5 Utilise skills and knowledge relating to audio and video work from a range of approaches B. Subject-specific skills B.1 Create audio visual installation environments with reference to theory and practice in this area B.2 Compose musical material using music technology software, hardware and the recording studio as creative tools B.3 Develop skills in pre and post production across a range of creative musical undertakings B.4 Appraise and utilise the technologies employed within various media workflows C. Thinking Skills C.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the links between theory and practice in a range of creative and cultural domains C.2 Initiate, conduct and disseminate research from a number of sources and through various methodologies. C.3 Evaluate and contextualise their creative output and working processes C.4 Administrate the processes within project development and its implementation, with specific references to a Personal Development Plan C.5 Produce written evaluative documents informed by relevant debates through independent study D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development D.1 Identify and apply professional values to all aspects of production process, presentation and archive D.2 Evaluate the processes involved within collaborative and client focussed work D.3 Plan and organise a personal programme of study within non-negotiable deadlines with adherence to academic conventions 3
D.4 Apply the principles of effective teamwork within a disciplined and professional environment Teaching and Learning Methods Across all modules and at all levels teaching and learning are synthesised from a variety of learning activities and opportunities. Learning situations include: Lecture/demonstrations Case studies Seminars and discussion groups Practical tutor led workshops Technical guidance Group tutorials and verbal feedback One to one tutorials written and verbal feedback Analysis of contemporary and historical practice Software training Software skills development Performance/installation Self-reflection and peer group evaluation Rehearsal Thinking skills within this course are the intellectual qualities related to cognitive ability through the acquisition of critical and contextual knowledge. The application of these qualities occurs in all teaching and learning situations and throughout the teaching and learning is focussed upon the analysis of original work in a variety of contexts. It is expected that students should demonstrate a critical understanding of the content and ideas that exist within a wide range of works. The application of these qualities occurs in all teaching and learning situations and at this level six these are focussed upon the stating of ideas from one or more contexts using specialist vocabulary and critical language. This is a vocational course and outcomes are designed to enhance the transition from study to workplace. The ability to administrate, manage and direct becomes more important at level six where learning at this level should be negotiated, perhaps through learning contracts, with students becoming independent of tutors and sharing learning responsibilities with other group members. Outcomes at level six are designed to bring to maturity the transition from study to workplace. They relate to the ability to administrate, manage and lead a team and work should be determined by selfdevised goals and stimuli. Assessment methods Assessment occurs through the application of knowledge and theory within practical activities, assessment also occurs through written submissions and presentations and. presentation of hard copy of various media video screenings presentation to peer group viva voce marketing presentation 4
written assignments research presentation the pitch and treatment of an idea the use of subject specific terminologies Assessment occurs through the effectiveness of practical and performance work and is evaluated through reference to personal development plans, peer responses viva voce and tutor comments. 13. Programme Structures* 14. Awards and Credits* Level Title Credit Code rating Level 6 MU3003(L6) Major Project 40 Bachelor Honours Degree MU3002(L6) Creative Composition Requires 360 credits including a MU3004(L6) Recording 3 40 minimum of 1 at Level 2 and 1 at Level 3 and either: Bachelor Degree RP3002(L6) Practice as Research 40 Requires 3 credits including a or minimum of 1 at Level 2 and 80 RP3001*(L6) Dissertation* at Level 3 and RP3008*(L6) Career Development Project* Level 5 PE2105 *not validated for delivery at Omiros/Aegean College Video and Sonic Art Installation HE Diploma MU03 Creative Sampler and Sound Library Requires 240 credits including a MU04 Recording 2 minimum of 1 at Level 2 MU05 Applied Production Skills RP07 Research Project and PE2107 Music Video* or RP04 Professional Practice *Uclan do not offer this optionality, PE2107 is a compulsory module Level 4 PE1105(L4) Audio Visual Investigation HE Certificate MU1003(L4) Creative Music Technology 40 Requires 1 credits MU1004(L4) Recording 1 MU1005(L4) E-Music and Marketing 5
RP1003(L4) Music in Context 15. Personal Development Planning Personal Development Planning (PDP) is a key aspect of all the performing arts courses at UCLan. PDP is integrated within all modules and across the totality of study. PDP, through the creation of a personal document referred to as a Progress File, helps you to define and focus your educational and professional aims and goals; it will assist you to consider how you can engage with the learning opportunities your course offers to achieve your personal career and professional objectives. This course consists of modules with fixed syllabi that together enable you and your colleagues to gain the knowledge and develop the skills essential if you are to be a successful practitioner. However the course is designed to allow you to choose or negotiate many aspects of your learning in ways which are appropriate to your abilities, learning preferences and vocational intentions. Thus is referred to as a student-centred learning approach. When coupled with the self-monitoring and evaluation of PDP, you find that study shifts from a tutor-led/teaching activity to a personally-defined learning experience. This is close to the way many professional artists operate and the terms reflective practitioners or thinking artist describe the kind of graduate we expect you to become. 16. Admissions criteria Standard Entry: Entry on to this and all other performing arts courses validated by UCLan is through audition and interview. Additionally we will normally expect applicants to evidence a number of the following: the ability to devise original work across a variety of media two A levels, in subjects relevant to the course ethos and content BTEC National Diploma in Music/Media or similar GNVQ Advanced in a subject relevant to the course ethos and content International qualifications equivalent to the above, in a relevant area extra-curricular activity, such as band performance, DJ-ing, community arts, visual or performing arts The minimum general entry requirements for the courses within this proposal are the same as for all the University s degree programmes (as outlined in the Undergraduate Prospectus). As a broad guide, we normally expect students to have achieved a tariff of between 0-300 points at 'A2' and 'AS' level, BTEC ND, or GNVQ (level 3) or an equivalent qualification in relevant areas. Equally, we welcome students with qualifications in other subjects, but who have shown a significant commitment to music production in a variety of forms. Entry for those who have not recently studied: If you have not studied recently you may be required to undertake an Access programme. For details of those offered by the University please contact UK Course Enquiries, tel: 01772 892400. International Entry: Equivalent international qualifications will be considered towards meeting the general entry requirements. Additionally, International students, for whom English is not your first language, will be required to evidence an IELTS score or 6.0 or equivalent. Equivalences include: 6
TOEFL written examination score of 550 plus a test of written English (at 4) TOEFL Computer Equivalent score of 230 Proficiency in English (Cambridge) at Grade C or above For students wishing to study at Ireland (at PULSE), entry is based on a combination of the equivalent of a minimum of 216 CAO points and audition. Additionally we will normally expect applicants to evidence a number of the following: the ability to devise original work across a variety of media FETAC Level 6 / HETAC Level 7 in Music/Media or similar 2 GCE A Level, NVQ Level 3 in Music/Media or similar extra-curricular activity, such as band performance, DJ-ing, community arts, visual or performing arts Applications from individuals with non-standard qualifications, relevant work or life experience will be equally considered. Accreditation for Prior Learning: UK and International applicants with qualifications or professional experience equivalent to the knowledge and skills developed at level 1 or level 2 of this programme, may be granted Accreditation for Prior Learning (APL), and be exempt for certain modules. In some cases you may be allowed to begin the course at level 2 or, exceptionally, at level 3. Please contact the UCLan (01772 892400) if you think you may be eligible for APL. Please note that APL will not exempt you from the audition and interview process, or, for International students, the IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) requirement. 17. Key sources of information about the programme www.uclan.ac.uk www.futureworks.co.uk Omiros College publicity UCAS/Trottman guides www.pulserecording.com BA (Hons) Music Production factsheet UCLan prospectus 7
4 Level Compulsory, Core or Option A1.1 A1.2 A1.3 A1.4 A1.5 A1.6 A1.7 B1.1 B1.2 B1.3 B1.4 B1.5 B1.6 B1.7 B1.8 C1.1 C1.2 C1.3 C1.4 C1.5 C1.6 D1.1 D1.2 D1.3 18: Curriculum Skills Map Code Title Knowledge and Understanding Subject-specific Skills Thinking Skills Other skills relevant to employability and personal development PE1105(4) Audio Visual Investigation MU1004(4) Recording 1 Comp Comp x x x x x x x x x MU1003(4) Creative Music Tech Comp x x x x x x RP1003(4) Music In Context Comp x x x x MU1005(4) E-Music and Marketing Comp x x x x
PE2107 Optional RP04 Option al RP07 Comp 5 MU05 Comp MU04 Comp MU03 Comp PE2105(L 5) Comp Level Code Compulsory, Core or Option A2.1 A2.2 A2.3 A2.4 A2.5 A2.6 A2.7 A2.8 B2.1 B2.2 B2.3 B2.4 B2.5 B2.6 B2.7 B2.8 B2.9 B2.10 B2.11 C2.1 C2.2 C2.3 C2.4 C2.5 C2.6 C2.7 D2.1 D2.2 D2.3 D2.4 D2.5 D2.6 D2.7 D2.8 Title Knowledge and Understanding Subject-specific Skills Thinking Skills Other skills relevant to employability and personal development Visual & Sonic Art Installation x x X X X Creative Sampler and Sound Library x x X X X X Recording 2 x x x x x x x X Applied Production Skills x x x x X X X Research Project X X Professional Practice 2 x X Music Video x x x X 9
6 A3.1 A3.2 A3.3 B3.1 B3.2 B3.3 B3.4 B3.5 B3.6 B3.7 C3.1 C3.2 C3.3 C3.4 C3.5 C3.6 C3.7 C3.8 D3.1 D3.2 D3.3 D3.4 D3.5 D3.6 D3.7 D3.8 Level Compulsory, Core or Option Code Title Knowledge & Understandin g Subject-specific Skills Thinking Skills Other skills relevant to Employability and personal development MU3002(L6) Creative Composition Comp x x x MU3004(L6) Recording 3 Comp x x x x x MU3003(L6) Major Project Comp x x x x RP3002(L6) Practice as Research Option x x x x x RP3001(L6) Dissertation Option x x x x RP3008(L6) Career Development Project Option x x x x 10