BA (Hons) Music (Songwriting) - 2025 Entry

Aural and Theory  - Foundation

Contextual Studies - Foundation

Fundamental Skills - Foundation

Specialist Group Study (Composition) Foundation

(for Classical and Jazz composers and all Film Music and Songwriting students)

Specialist Group Study (Performance) Foundation

(for Classical and Jazz performers and all Popular Music students)

Specialist Group Study (Production) Foundation (for Electronic Music Production and Music Production students)

Specialist Study (Composition) Foundation

(for Classical and Jazz composers and all Film Music and Songwriting students)

Specialist Study (Performance) Foundation

(for Classical and Jazz performers and all Popular Music students)

Specialist Study (Electronic Music Production) Foundation

(for Electronic Music Production students)

Specialist Study (Production) Foundation

(for Production students)

Musical Analysis

You’ll explore the structures, techniques, and creative decisions behind influential songs and records. Using analytical tools, you’ll study arrangement, songcraft, and form—then apply these insights to your own music. Through lectures and peer discussion, you’ll sharpen your technical vocabulary, deepen your compositional understanding, and develop a more focused and reflective creative approach. 

Musical Contexts

You’ll examine how music operates within social, cultural, and industry frameworks. This module introduces musicological and theoretical approaches that help you understand music as both an art form and a commercial product. By analysing repertoire and musical discourse, you’ll gain the tools to critically evaluate your work and position your creative output within wider contexts. 

Songwriting 1: Skills 

You'll explore the foundations of songwriting and discover your direction as a writer. Through seminars, lectures, and personalised tuition, you'll develop your skills in melody, harmony, and lyrics while building confidence in part-writing. With an emphasis on creativity and adaptability, this module helps you shape a unique artistic voice while preparing you for the demands of professional songwriting. 

Songwriting 2: Technique 

This module helps you sharpen your songwriting techniques and grow as a creative professional. You’ll explore advanced lyric, harmonic, and melodic structures while deepening your understanding of collaborative and creative theory. Through focused tuition and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn to apply theory in practice and develop the adaptability, technical skill, and artistic awareness needed for professional environments. 

Songwriting Creative Environments 1 

You’ll learn how to write collaboratively and produce songs using industry-standard DAW software. Through tutor-led sessions, group writing tasks, and peer feedback, you’ll co-create original songs, experiment with new styles, and build digital production skills. This module helps you develop your creative instincts and technical confidence in a supportive, collaborative environment. 

Songwriting Creative Environments 2 

You'll refine your collaborative and production skills while exploring the roles of Tracker, Topliner, and Allrounder. In group sessions and recording workshops, you’ll deepen your understanding of the songwriting process from concept to realisation. This module strengthens your creative approach and technical know-how using professional studio tools and software, preparing you for real-world songwriting scenarios.

Songwriting 3: Artistry 

You’ll focus on refining your artistic voice while applying it within a professional context. Through lectures, workshops, and one-to-one tuition, you'll explore the work of iconic songwriters, develop advanced songwriting techniques, and take a deeper dive into lyrical and musical analysis. Collaborative projects and creative challenges will push your boundaries and support your growth as an expressive, industry-aware songwriter. 

Songwriting 4: Performance 

This module helps you refine your compositional identity with a sharper stylistic focus. Whether working solo, co-writing, or composing in a band, you’ll explore advanced techniques and creative approaches. Through individualised support and performance-based workshops, you’ll strengthen your songs from demo to delivery—ensuring they’re not only well-written but also performance-ready. 

Songwriting Creative Environments 3 

You’ll write to commercial briefs, develop your production skills, and gain experience working to industry expectations. In practical songwriting and Mac Lab sessions, you’ll explore how to collaborate with others while meeting creative goals and stylistic demands. This module builds your technical confidence in a DAW environment while helping you realise fully arranged, professionally focused songs. 

Songwriting Creative Environments 4 

This module helps you specialise as a Tracker, Topliner, or Allrounder while expanding into media and educational songwriting. You’ll experiment with sound design, mixing, and creative production using DAW software, while also learning to write for different audiences and briefs. With a strong focus on creative flexibility, this module prepares you for life as a collaborative, industry-ready songwriter. 

Industry 1: Infrastructure

You’ll explore the structure and workings of the UK music industry, gaining insights into income streams, management, legal frameworks, and professional bodies. This module provides the essential knowledge to start building a career as a songwriter or performer. You’ll learn to navigate industry mechanics and develop transferable business skills for long-term sustainability. 

Industry 2: Portfolio Skills

You’ll explore three complementary disciplines—Journalism, Pedagogy, and Musicology—to broaden your career prospects. This module helps you develop skills that can support or extend your creative practice. Through lectures and practical tasks, you’ll gain the tools to deliver work in one of these areas, strengthening your employability and portfolio as a music professional.

Major Songwriting Showcase 

You’ll create a portfolio that showcases your unique voice and professional readiness—whether through original artist material, industry-focused songwriting, or a mix of both. With expert support and feedback, you'll refine your writing, production, and performance skills while crafting a body of work that reflects your identity and ambition as a songwriter. 

Focus 1

You’ll design and deliver a specialist project that aligns with your professional goals in ensemble performance, collaborative songwriting, or research. This module lets you showcase the skills and insights developed throughout your degree. You’ll refine your creative or academic approach while producing work that meets professional industry standards and reflects your artistic identity. 

Focus 2

You’ll continue to develop your chosen specialism—whether performance, songwriting, or research—through a major project. Building on Focus 1, you’ll deepen your expertise and creative focus while demonstrating originality and professionalism. This module supports your transition into industry or further study by encouraging self-direction and high-level project delivery. 

Industry 3: Strategy

You’ll learn how to promote and position yourself in the music industry using strategic tools like marketing, branding, and digital presence. Through case studies and practical work, you’ll explore how artists build sustainable careers. You’ll develop networking skills and gain the knowledge to release music, build an audience, and navigate industry landscapes. 

Industry 4: Implementation

You’ll bring together everything you've learned in your industry studies to shape your unique career path. This module helps you develop your creative vision, visual identity, and professional presentation. You’ll gain experience in branding, career planning, and income strategies, preparing you to secure employment or launch yourself as a self-employed music professional.