Full title of the course & award BA (Hons) in Music Production Mode of attendance Full-time Length of course This course is taught as a three-year course at levels four, five and six. Start date Initial validation of three-year course in 2013: first cohort 2013-14. Awarding institution University of Sussex Teaching institution BIMM Brighton and Manchester UCAS code Language of study W374 English Final award Certificate of Higher Education (exit award only at level 4) Diploma of Higher Education (exit award only at level 5) Bachelors Degree with Honours UK Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level External reference points Minimum period of registration 120 credits at level four 120 credits at level five 120 credits at level six Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Subject Benchmark in Music (2008) QAA UK Quality Code (2013) University of Sussex Partnership Procedures (2012-13) For the three-year course at levels four, five, and six: three years Maximum period of registration Six years (three year Course) Admissions criteria Date of Course Specification: Revisions: 160 UCAS tariff points (5 GCSE s at C or above including English plus 2 A levels at grade C or above) An equivalent qualification or experiential learning is acceptable via our Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning (AP(E)L) processes September 2012 May 2014. 1
Educational Aims The course aims to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills appropriate to a range of career outcomes in the music production industry. Students are encouraged to develop their individual creative ability and support this with the development of a high level of technical skill. In particular, the course aims to enable students to develop: A range of creative and technological skills relevant to employment in professional music production and the creative industries An understanding of the key critical, social, cultural, historical and business concepts, issues and debates relevant to the area of modern music, and to organise and sustain an argument A comprehensive knowledge of contemporary practice for careers in the music business and the creative process in the professional field in which they will specialise, together with an awareness of current areas of development and innovation in music and the music industry The ability to make creative use of technology and experiment with new and existing methodologies in contemporary professional musical practice A clear understanding of where their creative strengths lie and how these can be utilised in the music industry Skills in research, analysis, problem solving and critical reflection and the visual, written and verbal communication skills required of a graduate entrant to the music industry Initiative and personal responsibility, experience of collaborative working methods and the ability to be responsive and adaptable to changing needs and the transferable skills and competencies which enable lifelong learning within the context of professional practice Transferable skills, in planning and analysis, communication, problem solving, IT and presentation skills relevant to a career in the music industry To describe, comment upon, analyse and discuss particular aspects of current research or equivalent advanced scholarship at the forefront of contemporary popular music and the music industry An appreciation and recognition of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge within music and the music industry The ability to manage and organise their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources, such as research articles and/or original materials appropriate to creative music production. 2
BA year one, level four: Course Learning Outcomes Knowledge and Understanding A1. Demonstrate awareness of key issues in their area(s) of study A2. Identify practices and structures within professional contexts A3. Learn and apply new concepts within a variety of contexts A4. Identify and manipulate musical ideas in an imaginative way A5. Understand and articulate an understanding the science of sound Intellectual (thinking) skills B1. Communicate ideas clearly via aural, visual, verbal and written modes of expression B2. Analyse information and summarise concepts B3. Explore a range of appropriate reading material and discuss the findings B4. Identify and solve technical and creative problems Subject practical skills C1. Demonstrate appropriate technical skills in relation to the recording and production of music C2. Utilise a range of analogue and digital music technology and video and multimedia production equipment to produce creative artefacts C4. Demonstrate awareness of professional protocols and practices Key/Transferable skills D1. Employ Information and Communication Technology (word-processing, e-mail, online sources and other electronic information services) appropriately D2. Undergo disciplined professional development: learn new techniques, obtain new skills, identify career options D3. Employ initiative and time management skills to carry creative and other projects to completion on time and to specification D4. Utilise interpersonal skills to communicate ideas clearly and unambiguously within collaborative contexts D5. Demonstrate the ability to engage in academic research and present fully referenced findings 3
BA year two, level five: Course Learning Outcomes Knowledge and Understanding A1. Demonstrate awareness of the key issues in their area(s) of study, and an appreciation of why these areas are important A2. Digest pertinent academic literature and relate it to music production A3. Apply concepts from fields of study to a related area of practice A4. Make connections between the historical, social, cultural, political, philosophical, economic context of music Intellectual (thinking) skills B1. Collect, combine and appraise information, using quotes from appropriate texts B2. Analyse information to create and evaluate relevant arguments and ideas, and reflect on the place of technology in music B3. Acknowledge quotations and ideas from other s work and question their hypotheses and assumptions B4. Conceptualise and apply pertinent theories and concepts in relation to their own work Subject practical skills C1. Demonstrate technical proficiency and sustained application of skills in relation to music recording and production C2. Integrate and manipulate music technology in live musical performance C3. Plan and execute a production project, selecting and utilise appropriate technology C4. Combine audio with visual or electronic media in a range of contexts C5. Manipulate computer software and hardware interfaces to produce creative artefacts Key/Transferable skills D1. Present work in public, recognising audience expectations D2. Use appropriate professional procedures to perform effectively as part of a production team D3. Utilize disciplined professional development practice; learn new techniques, explore freelance opportunities, obtain new skills, initiate career moves D4. Apply time management skills to demonstrate reliability and consistency D5. Evaluate one s own work to inform further professional development 4
BA year three, level six: Course Learning Outcomes Knowledge and understanding A1. Demonstrate comprehension of key aspects in their field of study based on the latest advances in their discipline A2. Evaluate theoretical and aesthetic concepts, relating them to the practice of music production A3. Draw upon theoretical understanding to formulate effective solutions to creative and technical challenges A4. Discover and assimilate new musical sounds, concepts and techniques Intellectual (thinking) skills B1. Synthesise techniques of analysis and enquiry using established procedures B2. Discuss, debate and appraise issues in current research and scholarship B3. Acknowledge and evaluate the imperfections and limits of understanding within the discipline B4. Combine inputs (materials, knowledge, intuition, convention) to generate informed and original outputs in written, aural and practical work B5. Propose, prepare, execute and appraise original work Subject practical skills C1. Produce audio and visual artefacts to professional standards and strict deadlines C2. Employ original ideas and innovative techniques in an imaginative way C3. Draw upon contextual knowledge, aural analysis, personal development and listening skills, to manage and complete production projects C4. Execute work effectively, acknowledging and responding to, critical feedback and guidance Key/Transferable skills D1. Direct their own learning, drawing on scholarly or technical material such as research articles and/or original materials D2. Work as a productive member of a team, responding to others and demonstrating awareness of partnership and leadership roles and responsibilities D3. Synthesise original concepts from others, and present the results effectively D4. Employ self-guided learning and work routines to create one s own timetables, ensuring sufficient preparation time and meeting deadlines D5. Apply problem-solving skills to cope with new situations, translate information and ideas, manage difficult situations, and work effectively with others under pressure D6. Use reflective practice and critical thinking to undertake informed personal, academic and professional development. 5
Core Structure diagram Code Year FHEQ Level Title Credits BIMM37 1 4 Sound Environments 20 BIMM38 1 4 Studio Engineering 20 BIMM39 1 4 Computer Music 20 BIMM40 1 4 Audio Theory and Acoustics 20 BIMM41 1 4 Video & Multimedia Production 20 BIMM42 1 4 Academic Study and Research Skills 20 (120) BIMM43 2 5 Music Industry Studies 20 BIMM44 2 5 Sound Studio Production 20 BIMM45 2 5 Computer Music Performance 20 BIMM46 2 5 Music Production In Context 20 BIMM47 2 5 Sound for Film Television and Broadcast 20 BIMM48 2 5 Computer Music Design 20 (240) BIMM49 3 6 Production Project 40 BIMM17 3 6 Personal & Business Development 20 BIMM50 3 6 Post Production 20 BIMM51 3 6 Ambient Recording 20 BIMM52 3 6 Immersive Environments 20 (360) Rationale for structure The BA in Music Production is a specialist programme designed to cater for those wishing to pursue careers in the creative arts as content producers. The course focuses on the technology, techniques and personal attributes required to facilitate music production across a wide range of contexts from traditional music recording to film, television, animation and multimedia environments. This course also ensures a thorough grounding in the context of contemporary music, the industry that supports it and the personal, project management and business skills required to be a successful practitioner. 6
Teaching and Learning Strategy BIMM commits to providing high quality teaching and support for its learners. The Institute aims to address the differentiated needs of individual learners and ensure that all students have equal and fair access to learning resources. All Teaching and Learning Strategies adopted by BIMM will be flexible, student centered, diverse and appropriate to the skills and needs of individual learners. All teaching and learning strategies will incorporate appropriate learning technologies. Regular formative and summative assessment will be used to inform day-to-day teaching and learning and future staff development. The BIMM Curriculum Team is responsible for: Ensuring that tutors teach to a defined curriculum and relate lecture material clearly to assessment and module learning outcomes Ensuring that the course and assessment requirements are clear to the students Ensuring that teaching staff are assisted and supported with appropriate training to maximise the potential of their teaching Helping the tutors maintain a professional disciplined and relaxed environment conducive to musicians reaching their full learning potential Assessment The ethos behind BIMM is a college that is deeply connected to the wider music industry and the design of the curriculum and the assessment of learning outcomes is guided by this principle. Assessment strategy and design aims to echo real world commercial briefs and scenarios alongside the academic skills of research, analysis and critique required for a qualification at this level. We are also very committed to the development of reflective and entrepreneurial practitioners in music; and the emphasis on project management and professional development is also reflected in the diet of assessment. Detailed assessment briefs can be found in the course handbook. Accreditation of Prior Learning APL & APEL Where an applicant wishes to transfer onto the course from another course, with or without advanced standing, the admissions team will undertake a review of their attainment in order to confirm that they are suitably prepared to enter the course, and that the credit they have achieved elsewhere can contribute to their qualification. The APL policy of the University of Sussex will be followed in each case. Where an applicant has worked for some time and gained relevant experience it is also possible to gain entry as a mature student according to APEL. More information on APEL can be provided by the Recruitment and Admissions team at BIMM. Further Information Assessment regulations will be made available in Course Manual and Student Quality Handbook alongside detailed curriculum content. If you require information on student support policy or provision please see the student support page on the BIMM website: http://www.bimm.co.uk/brighton/about-bimm#quality-and-student-support We constantly seek to evaluate and improve our provision through a rigorous review process details can also be found in the Student Quality Handbook. Please note, this 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. More detailed information on the learning 7
outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each unit can be found in the Course Handbook, Quality Handbook, Module Descriptors and Project Briefs. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the College and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. 8