History of Popular Music
Credit value: 20
You’ll explore how popular music has evolved from the early 20th century to today, examining major genres, artists, and cultural movements. You’ll investigate how technology and society shape musical trends, while deepening your understanding of musical forms and concepts. This module encourages you to link theory with practice through your own compositions, allowing you to creatively respond to key developments in music history.
This module is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical workshops. Assessment includes a portfolio of work.
Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%)
Directed study hours: 170 (85%)
Musicianship Foundations 1: Theory and Tools
Credit value: 20
You’ll gain a solid grounding in music theory, aural perception, and digital musicianship. Through hands-on learning, you’ll explore core elements like melody, harmony, and rhythm, developing the fluency needed for performance and composition. The module also equips you with essential digital tools to express musical ideas clearly and confidently across different creative and academic contexts.
This module is delivered through a combination of seminars, practical workshops, and digital skills sessions. Assessment includes an online portfolio of theory coursework.
Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%)
Directed study hours: 170 (85%)
Musicianship Foundations 2: Applied Theory
Credit value: 20
You’ll build on your theoretical and practical knowledge by applying musical concepts directly to creative tasks. This module develops your fluency in key areas like melody, harmony, and rhythm, while enhancing your aural and digital musicianship skills. You’ll actively engage with theory to support composition and performance, gaining confidence in using digital tools to convey and refine your musical ideas.
This module is delivered through a combination of seminars, practical workshops, and digital skills sessions. Assessment includes a theory portfolio.
Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%)
Directed study hours: 170 (85%)
Popular Music in Context
Credit value: 20
You’ll explore how popular music reflects and shapes identity, politics, and culture. This module investigates the broader social, historical, and economic forces behind music production and consumption, including media and technology. Through listening, analysis, and discussion, you’ll develop your ability to interpret music in context, and you’ll be encouraged to apply your insights in your own compositional work.
This module is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical workshops. Assessment includes a portfolio of work.
Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%)
Directed study hours: 170 (85%)
Foundational Performance 1
Credit value: 20
You’ll develop essential skills in popular music performance through one-to-one tuition, workshops, and seminars. This module supports your technical growth and musicianship while encouraging a collaborative, personalised approach. You’ll strengthen your instrumental or vocal technique and explore your performance identity, laying the foundation for confident, expressive, and adaptable musical practice.
This module is delivered through a combination of individualised tuition, workshops, and seminars. Assessment includes a performance.
Learning and teaching hours: 50 (25%)
Directed study hours: 150 (75%)
Foundational Performance 2
Credit value: 20
You’ll continue developing your performance skills, building on the techniques and experiences from Foundational Performance 1. Working closely with your tutor, you’ll refine your individual style and strengthen your adaptability in a collaborative music environment. The module deepens your musicianship and enhances your confidence as you integrate technical development with expressive, performance-focused creativity.
This module is delivered through a combination of individualised tuition, workshops, and seminars. Assessment includes a band performance.
Learning and teaching hours: 50 (25%)
Directed study hours: 150 (75%)