Music careers

NEW COLLEGE DURHAM

Framwellgate Moor Campus
Darlington Road
Durham City
DH1 5ES
T: 0191 375 4110
E: andy.wain@newdur.ac.uk
www.newdur.ac.uk

BTEC First Diploma in Performing Arts (Popular Music)
Students study a Production Project, Understanding Music, Performing Music, The Music Business and Crewing, and the intention is to develop music performance skills, and enhance student’s understanding of popular music. In short, an educational foundation for a range of music industry careers.
Duration: 1 Year
Entry: Interview/audition

BTEC National Diploma in Music Practice (Popular Music)
The Music Industry, Listening Skills and Aural Skills, Music in Context, Music Theory and Harmony, Special Subject Investigation, Composition and the History of Popular Music are all studied, as well as practical and technological units. Ideal as a basis for continuing education or career development.
Duration: 2 Years
Entry: Four GCSEs at grade C or above/audition

Foundation Degree Music Management Course Duration
Designed by experienced music industry personnel and business management professionals, this course is for those wishing to understand the business of music, including units in Production and Distribution, Artist Management, Record Label Management and Music Publishing. Later, students can choose between Music Law, Retail Management or Music In Everyday Life.
Duration: 2 Years
Entry: 3 GCSE passes at grade C or above, normally including Mathematics and English (or appropriate Key Skills at Level 2; and GNVQ or NVQ at Level 3 or an equivalent qualification in an appropriate subject; or a total of at least 40 UCAS Tariff Points)

UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM

Palace Green
Durham City
DH1 3RL
T: 0191 334 3140
Contact: Dr. Jeremy Dibble - Department of Music
E: jeremy.dibble@durham.ac.uk
www.dur.ac.uk/music
 
BA (Hons) Education Studies - Music
This is for those interested in teaching music, but is also applicable to a number of other career paths. Students will gain a thorough knowledge of education theory and will be provided with a “knowledge of the Western art music tradition placed in its cultural context.”
Duration: 3 Years
Entry: Usually ABB at A Level

BA (Hons) Music
This Department is one of the leading centres for music studies in Britain. You’ll gain “a critical knowledge of the musical repertory” that will help you to develop the basic practical and theoretical skills essential to thinking musicians in any field, including classical and contemporary. You can cover historical musicology, popular music; performance, creative work in composition and more specialised areas too.
Duration: 3 Years
Entry: Usually ABB at A Level

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE
Music Department
Barras Bridge
Newcastle
NE1 7RU
T: 0191 222 5247
Contact: School of Arts & Cultures
E: music@ncl.ac.uk
www.newcastle.ac.uk/sacs

Music, BA Honours
Most areas of music study are covered at Stage 1, and you then specialise in Stages 2 and 3. The degree programme allows you to specialize in topics of particular interest and to use your musical talents to the full. Supports development of practical skills, performance, musicological topics and more.
Duration: 3 Years
Entry: Usually ABB at A Level or for Scottish qualifications, AAAB at Higher Grade, including grade A in Music

BMus (Hons) in Popular and Contemporary Music
Aimed at those who have perhaps completed a Higher National Diploma, this course develops practical skills, and an understanding of contemporary music. The emphasis is on practical skills within music’s role in contemporary culture. 
Duration: 2 Years
Entry: To be accepted onto this course, you must be studying for (or have completed) a HND in Popular Music (or related area)

BMus (and Diploma) in Folk and Traditional Music
Obviously for those with an interest in folk and traditional music, this course is a joint venture between the Uni and ‘Folkworks’. There is naturally a strong emphasis on performance, but the history and context of the genre is far from ignored. 
Duration: 4 Years
Entry: BBB, or for Scottish qualifications, AAAB at Higher Grade, including grade A in Music. Combination of Highers and Advanced Highers accepted.

NEWCASTLE COLLEGE
Maple Terrace
Rye Hill, Scotswood Road
Newcastle
NE4 7SA
T: 0191 273 8866 Main sw bd: 0191 200 4000
E: enquiries@ncl-coll.ac.uk
www.ncl-coll.ac.uk

Access to Higher Education: Music Production and Technology
You will study music technology, production processes and techniques, the music business, and song-writing in order to be fully prepared for Higher Education music study. You’ll also learn about sequencing systems and the science of music.
Duration: 1 Year
Entry: Must be 19, hold a full level 2 qualification, and have musical experience.

Access to Higher Education: Music Performance
The course covers performance skills, repertoire development, song-writing and individual musicianship, in order to prepare students’ for Higher Education music study. Live Sound, The Music Business and more are also covered.
Duration: 1 Year
Entry: Must be 19, hold a full level 2 qualification, and have musical experience.

Foundation Degree in Popular Music
Technique, musicianship, composition and song-writing skills are all covered as well as the technology that will help you perform in a variety of styles. The business side of music is also covered as this course is aimed at musicians wishing to pursue a career in the music industry.
Duration: 2 Years
Entry: Interview, and audition. Must have a minimum of 120 UCAS points, and 2 qualifications in literacy and numeracy.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA
Lipman Bldg
University of Northumbria
Newcastle
NE1 8ST
T: 0191 227 4933
E: jennifer.hinves@unn.ac.uk, hc.arcade@northumbria.ac.uk
www.unn.ac.uk
 
BA (Hons) Contemporary Popular Music
A one year completion course for those with an appropriate practice-based music qualification at Level 5. The course deals with the Music Industry, Composition and Cultural Theory and has professional partnerships with key cultural organisations in the North East Region.
Duration: 1 Year
Entry: GCSEs at grade C or above, or equivalent, including Maths and English and HND, Foundation Degree or equivalent music qualification at Level 5.

MA Music Management and Promotion
This course is about effective management within the music industry, and as such, deals with management skills, including financial management, marketing and communication technologies. The course encourages entrepreneurialism. A work-based project is undertaken within a music organisation of the student's choice.
Duration: 1 Year
Entry: Degree, interest in music and music management and relevant work experience.

BA (Hons) Performance
Students study both the theory and practical side of performance, in order to prepare them for a variety of contexts. Multimedia performance work is also covered, as is contemporary arts including theatre in its broadest sense, dance, music, video and film.
Duration: 1 Year
Entry: Five GCSEs at grade C or above, or equivalent, plus GCE and VCE Advanced Level: 260 UCAS tariff points, including Drama or Performing Arts related subjects OR Edexcel/BTEC National: Three merits from 18-unit awards OR Scottish Highers:
ABBB from Highers or BCC from Advanced Highers including Drama or Performing Arts related subjects OR Irish Highers: ABCCC OR HEFC Access: Assessed on an individual basis

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