Course Summary

Music technology is the study of music for visual media, eg film, television, video games and web design. It also covers software synthesis and digital signal processing, as well as composition and song writing using industry-standard technology.

This foundation degree provides you with professional training and experience in a wide range of music technology hardware and software to develop your creative skills for the commercial world.

Youll receive hands-on training, work on genuine projects for clients and have access to our fantastic facilities, including fully equipped recording studios, sequencing labs and edit suites.

Why choose this course?

Graduates from this course have highly developed technology skills, ensuring that many careers besides the music industry are open to them. These include music and sound design for theatre, multimedia, sound design and music production.

Other career paths include working in film, TV and library music, as well as music software, design, testing and consultancy. There are also opportunities within a wide range of sound-related technological areas such as noise analysis/measurement, vibration and spectral analysis, audio restoration and audio archiving.

Highly qualified staff and a well-established media department gives this course its unique flavour and make it stand out from courses based in more traditional music departments.

During the course you will:

• Experience projects led by clients
• Work in purpose-built professional level recording studios in the South Bank Centre for the Arts
• Have access to current software to promote the development of digital skills
• Gain additional industry recognised certification
• Gain opportunities for credit designed to recognise current experience

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Classical, jazz, popular and contemporary style and context
• Music software
• The music business
• Sound to picture
• Music theory
• Performance with technology

FDMUS-FF

Assessment

Assessment methods will include:

One-to-one discussion of practical work: this allows learners to discuss their work in an informal setting and gain confidence in using and understanding appropriate critical thinking and evaluative terminology.

Peer assessment: this will involve learners presenting work to their peers, and receiving peer feedback. Feedback will also be actively sought from client and/or employers, where applicable. Learners will learn from viewing each others practical work, hearing each others presentations and considering their own output in relation to this. They will learn how to present and articulate their own views, and to synthesize information.

Presentations and portfolios: this will involve learners in presenting their work to a professional standard, and gaining feedback.

Work based learning: assessment strategies will include assessment of an academic report, a skills portfolio detailing prior experience if applicable, reflective diary or journal, professional practice and task management, and practical artwork and digital product. Academic staff will use information from direct observation, self-evaluation and employer feedback to formulate an assessment decision against the learning outcomes of the work based units. Learners will reflect on the fitness for purpose of their efforts and practical work. In doing this they will receive feedback directly from the employer, and gain valuable skills in communicating and understanding.

Team based assignments; where learners are working in team projects, they will need to negotiate, confirm and record their individual team role. This information will be recorded on the Individual Learning Agreement, and will form the focus of the assessment of performance. Learners will be assessed against learning outcomes within their own team role. This will allow for individual grades to be assigned, and will negate learner being vulnerable to their own grade being adversely affected by inadequate performance of other learners. It will be important for learners to self evaluate critically their role as a team member, and how the different roles within the team equate to a fully functional team, or otherwise. In this way learners will gain insight and understanding of how teams operate and the skills they will need to acquire and employ in the industry.

The overall product from team based work will receive verbal feedback. This will be supervised by academic staff, and may involve elements of peer and employer feedback. However, learners will be formally assessed on their individual roles within the team.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Present a portfolio of work in accordance with the supplied briefs.

2. Select and use appropriate equipment effectively.

3. Demonstrate knowledge of industry standard software.

4. Evaluate their own production work and suggest further developments.

5. Select and use appropriate harmonic elements.

6. Demonstrate development of aural ability with particular reference to music technology.

7. Demonstrate knowledge of recent musical history.

8. Produce a piece of music within a chosen genre.

9. Critically analyse the hallmarks of mediated music.

10. Demonstrate knowledge of the workings of the mediated music industry.

11. Demonstrate the ability to produce a piece of mediated music targeted at a specific audience.

12. Demonstrate an ability to work as part of a team.

13. Demonstrate an ability to initiate, negotiate, plan and manage a production for an external client.

14. Demonstrate awareness of administrative issues associated with a creative music technology project.

15. Develop an individual career development plan.

16. Demonstrate the application of academic and study skills (such as developing an idea or brief, writing, editing, revising, layout or design).

17. Develop a strategy for improving their own learning and performance through reflection on their progress and outcomes, feedback by lecturers and other students.

External Benchmarking

Sector Skills Council recognition and endorsement in progress.

The course development team has used the Universitys benchmarking level descriptors as the basis for developing learning outcomes, at both operational context and cognitive levels. The QAA Qualification for Foundation Degrees benchmark has also been used to inform programme design and development. Learning outcomes have been developed with direct reference to a variety of National Occupational Standards for Music Technology.

Educational Aims

Music Technology FdA at Bedford college is aimed to enable learners to develop the necessary skills, knowledge, personal advancement, self motivation, direction and approach to facilitate their entry onto satisfying and simulating career paths.

It is aimed to support learners in a variety of working situations, from those with a full-time role to those actively seeking placement, with a wide range of freelance modes in between.

To maximize and extend students practical and theoretical skills in the areas of:

Sound Recording

Composing Music for Picture

Operating music software

Contextual skills

The Music Business

Student support

Learners can access the support systems that are available through the Universitys current `support whilst you study area. These can include advice and assistance on handing in assignments. Learners can also access the support arrangements at Bedford College, relating to Access, financial support, pastoral care, counselling and additional support.

Learners will each be allotted a personal tutor who will support and guide them through their studies, and monitor their progress by using an Individual Leaning Plan (ILP) or Progress File. Learners will have programmed personal and group tutorials, timetabled as part of their studies.

Team working

Within the field of music technology, practitioners can be involved in a large amount of team based work. As freelance specialists, or employees in a production company, music technologists are often responsible for one part of a complex project involving a number of similar specialists. The ability to be able to function as a team member is important. You will be taught how to recognize the roles in teams, how ideas and views are shared and discussed, critical analysis and decision making in teams and the reflective skills needed to work effectively, such as responsibilities. The 2 units The Business of Music Technology, and The Business of Music Production will involve you operating within a team, working to a work related or client led brief. The Major Project unit also features a range of team working opportunities.

Career Management Skills

Through working on the assignments, you will learn how to assess and evaluate you own planning and personal skills. You will be asked to contribute, alongside your tutor in a partnership, to the completion of your individual learning plan or progress file. This will identify the strengths and development areas in your work and propose actions, agreed with you and your tutors, on how to develop these areas. You will be asked to reflect on your personal skills profile and see how that matches your career aspirations. Learners will be introduced to available resources such as MyFuture through the colleges study support centre. Learners are encouraged to attend and take part in practical professional experience events organized by the Centre for Personal and Career Development at the University of Bedfordshire, which enable every student to build contacts and network within their area of interest.

In practical terms professional skills and values underpin this course and are an integral part of teaching and learning within all units. We encourage every student to develop the ability to evaluate effectively and reflect on their own and work of others, and understand the demands and requirements of employers. Alumni now return to outline their experiences, and discuss opportunities with current undergraduates. Links have also been established for alumni unable to visit in person to communicate via electronic means.

Throughout your course work experience is encouraged to enable you to understand the expectations of the industry and individual employers.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

Students who graduate with this award will have highly developed technology skills ensuring that many careers are open to them in the music industry. For example:

Multimedia, sound design and music production (for the web and interactive media such as cd rom/dvd.).

Film, TV sound design and music production, library music.

Record producer.

Rcording engineer.

Freelance based work in all apsects music technology.

Popular musics, performance, production, management and support.

Classical and art musics, performance, production, management and support.

Music and sound design for theatre.

Music software, design, testing and consultancy.

Music technology journalism.

Teaching music technology.

A wide range of sound related technological areas such as noise analysis / measurement, vibration and spectral analysis, audio restoration, audio archiving etc.

Further study:

On completion of this course learners are likely to progress onto the following areas:

Level 3 (Year 3) of the BA (Hons) Music Technology at University of Bedfordshire.

Entry

Standard:

Standard entry requirements for UK students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/ukugentryreqs

Students from the European Union - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/eu/guides

International students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/international/apply

Additional:

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.
• Students who require a Tier 4 Student Visa cannot apply for our foundation courses. For these courses the University of Bedfordshire is not able to sponsor Tier 4 Student Visa applications.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Postgraduate taught courses

Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the  standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.

• UK/EU students application form
• International (non-EU) students application form
  

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Teaching Strategy

The focus of this music technology course is to enable you, as an individual and a team member, to develop specialist professional subject skills, a detailed knowledge of professional practice and process, an academic understanding of the subject area and to apply professional, informed evaluation to your work.

The teaching and learning strategy within music technology is in line with the Universitys underpinning Cre8 curriculum review and framework, which encompasses best practice within teaching and learning. Your music technology course has been carefully structured to ensure individual development, learning, valid assessment as part of the learning process, and relevance to employability.

Close integration of theory and practice, the progressive nature of learning, assessment, feedback and progression, is at the heart of the teaching and learning strategy of Music Technology at Bedford College. Units are delivered through a range of teaching and learning modes including: practical classes, seminars, workshops, tutorials, and work based learning.

Self-directed learning is essential for music technologists, particular when seeking to grasp new concepts, or skills such as mastering software or recording. This is promoted by informed teaching, professional standard projects to industry led and assessed briefs, online support and developing collaborative projects not just within year groups, but across year groups, courses at the University of Bedfordshire, and local industry.

Support strategies such as the VLE are developed within particular courses to enable wider productive and supportive collaboration.

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

The course team welcomes applications from disabled learners. However, students with hearing impairment would not necessarily enjoy the course or find it helpful.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

• Present work to peers and client(s)


• Give feedback to peers


• Manage the production of recording sessions


• Enhance your understanding of musical and technical terminology


• Liaise with clients and your team


• Make presentations to clients with your team


• Enhance your understanding of musical rights terminology


• Seek and respond to feedback from peers / clients / employers / industry contacts

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

• Use a variety of mechanisms to give and respond to feedback


• Acquire a palette of musical and technical language skills


• Become familiar with presentation technologies


• Acquire a palette of musical rights language skills


• Develop marketing materials using a variety of media

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

• Evaluate your own and others work, in the context of the group, client expectations, standard industry practices, and the history of record production


• Research realistic career aims and monitor targets in your action plan


• Research potential income streams


• Research the rights that attach to mediated music


• Build a database of potential employers

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

• Work creatively within the confines of client briefs, balancing personal creative response and genre preference, against accepted norms and client requirements


• Suggest and implement processes to enhance and improve the finished product


• Incorporate new harmonic ideas into your responses to the client briefs


• Develop a critical approach to studio sound quality


• Develop a critical approach to client liaison


• Develop ideas for client liaison


• Incorporate the hallmarks of specific styles into your own productions


• Work creatively within the confines of a client brief


• Suggest and implement processes to enhance and improve the finished product


• Incorporate the hallmarks of specific mediated music into your own productions


• Submit your work to critical review by peers, clients and industry contacts


• Adopt a reflective approach to your own learning

Improving learning and performance

Professional skills and values are an integral part of this course at every level. The progressive nature of the integrated teaching, learning, assessment, feedback and implementation of feedback is designed to enable every student to maximise your knowledge and skills, and their application in your work.

The course team is committed to you developing your skills and understanding throughout the course. To do this we will:

• Set clear assignments using language that you can understand


• Teach you through using clear examples, demonstrations and feedback


• Talk to you about your work at assessment, explaining what you have done well, what isnt as strong and how you can improve this


• Provide you with regular tutorials and opportunities to be assessed in a variety of ways verbal, artifact and on screen, for example


• Make sure that you have all the study support you need to be able to achieve the qualification to your full potential


• Ask you to help in assessing each others work so you can learn more about critical analysis and thinking


• Provide you with opportunities to resubmit work for assessment if mitigating circumstances apply

Progress files

You will be developing your progress file as you go through the course. This is a plan and record of your learning, skills and profile that you can use to plan job applications, record your academic and wider skills profile, and base items such as your CV on the information it contains. It will also act as a record of your progress through the course. It is available for you to look at whenever you want, and will be located in the Arts Administration Office in the South Bank centre, Bedford College.

Students have constant access to the transcript of their results and progression through the SITS E:vision system, and in addition to this formal statistical outline of your individual progress you are encouraged to have regular meetings with your Personal Tutor to assist the reflective process in monitoring your progress.

Personal blogs are also an excellent and easily accessible way for learners to maintain a `reflective journal of personal progress, as they proceed through the course.

Professional standards

The importance of professional standards of behaviour in terms of attitude, approach to your work, the basics of meeting deadlines and the brief, are an integral part of this course at every level. They are not only what is expected of you by employers but something which is important for you to develop as individuals for your own professionalism and employability. Professional standards of work, presentation and approach are introduced throughout your course in every unit to enable you to develop awareness and automatic implementation of such standards at all times.

We want you to be successful and to get the most out of your studies here. To make this happen, we ask students to observe the following standards:

• Observe the colleges studentship standards (held within the Bedford College Student Charter) and observe the requirements shown in the student handbook (including plagiarism of any fellow students work or other source for any aspect of your studies (this will involve disciplinary action)


• Show a professional approach to team based aspects of your studies through positive team building, working to meet deadlines, communicating clearly and acknowledging your responsibilities and contribution to the team as a whole


• Show respect and consideration to employers and places of work, to include strict observance of all health and safety, access and appropriate employment legislation, and proper conduct in the workplace when working on placement, meeting clients and presenting work on client based briefs


• Treat all aspects of your studies with importance, and include appropriate time for your personal reflection and personal planning and development work


• Maintain sound working relationships with your tutors, through attendance at specific tutorials, prompt presentation of work and healthy exchanges of views


• Develop a range of enterprise skills through work based or work related learning, to include managing time, presenting work, communicating, managing budgets, negotiation skills and so on


• Strive to be successful in applying the full range of knowledge and skills learnt throughout the programme in their workplace


• Develop effective communicate skills to manage information, deploy arguments, and analysis, in a variety of forms, to specialist and non-specialist audiences, and deploy key techniques of the discipline effectively in their field of study and in a work context


• Undertake further training, develop existing skills, and acquire new competences that will enable them to assume responsibility within organizations


• Adopt a professional approach when presenting your work, to clients, in work-based learning or via electronic media, events or end of year shows, through careful handling and manipulation of materials and technology

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

You will be introduced to the standards through an initial induction. At certain points thereafter issues such as legislation, respect for others views etc, will be introduced and discussed according to opportunity. You will have the opportunity to discuss aspects that are personal to you through one-to-one tutorials if you wish.

The content and structure of the course is built around what the industry expects music technologists to know, to understand, and to do. These essentials are delivered within units at all level by course tutors and visitors from the industry, through making work experience opportunities both in-house and with external employers available to students, and by encouraging networking and contact between undergraduates and industry professionals.

The music technology team expects professional standards from every student and all staff, and aim to ensure that professional standards and practices underpin and form an integral part of the course at every level and within every unit.