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University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK, LU1 3JU
Stage one: Covers composition using industry-standard software and computer programming. It introduces music theory and the theoretical foundations of music programming. You will learn mathematical foundations of computer music and work with students from other media courses to create radio programmes.
Stage two: Studies techniques of sound processing and how to implement them. Advanced level programming. Explore different musical genres and develop music business skills.
Stage three: Collaborate on a project (eg contribute sound or music for a computer game), and conduct your own research. You can also study the science of sound and how we hear (acoustics and psychoacoustics); or write computer programs that generate music.
Key features
Areas of study you may cover in this course include:
In general, this course sets assessment tasks, which lead to learning activities that are appropriate to achieve the core learning outcomes of each unit and this course. The assessment methods used range from traditional methods for assessing knowledge and skills (in particular exams and writing essays), to activities of practice based research (e.g., music composition and production, computer software development). It also includes assessment methods designed to train core skills that the University expects all courses to emphasis and focus on (e.g., presentations for practicing communication).
This is a degree course that is not accredited by any external body, and so the only assessments will be those set by the academic team relating directly to the degree qualification.
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a broad based body of knowledge in music technology: including a grasp of the scientific study of sound; knowledge of sound recording, synthesis, manipulation and mixing techniques; a grasp of important computer programming concepts; as well as knowledge about various repertoires of music and sonic art.
2. Apply this knowledge and demonstrate a range of practical music technology skills: including an effective use of sound recording, synthesis, manipulation and mixing; computer programming skills; and a working knowledge of a wide variety of standard music equipment and software.
3. Demonstrate the ability to create or manipulate music technologies (e.g., computer music software), and to present results and findings in a coherent and communicable form.
4. Demonstrate the ability to recognise and identify by ear essential sonic features (e.g., sound processing, problems in recording), and sonorities (e.g., texture, instrumentation).
5. Demonstrate your ability to research, evaluate and analyse information derived from a number of sources and to communicate your ideas both in writing and orally according to appropriate academic standards.
6. Demonstrate an awareness of the context of music technology in a media environment, and collaborate effectively in groups with members of different backgrounds.
7. Display the attitude, independent thinking and self motivated learning necessary to work professionally in the field of music technology.
QAA. 2008. Music. http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/
benchmark/statements/music08.asp.
QAA. 2007. Computing. http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/
benchmark/statements/computing07.asp.
This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to make a range of contributions in the fields of music technology.
The course aims:
At institutional level, the University already has in place a range of easily accessible support structures for new and existing students. These include the Student Services, which offers confidential advice on all aspects of academic study. Other areas of University-wide student support include: Housing, Health, Counseling, Study Support, Special Needs/Disability Advice and a highly successful Careers Service.
During your course specific support will also be in place for you:
First Year students will receive a comprehensive generic induction in the week prior to the commencement of term. Further, all first year students are assigned a Personal Tutor who will be one of your core academic team. This Personal Tutor will work with you, monitoring your academic progression and forming a consistent point of contact for academic support and guidance. This support may extend to providing advice on careers and further academic study.
Students may be required, at the discretion of the Course Leader, to undergo diagnostic testing for academic English language abilities, and may further be required, at the Course Leaders discretion, to participate in academic English support workshops or classes laid on by the University.
You will engage in group work in seminars and workshops of various units. Collaborations between Music Technology students and students of other courses will be encouraged in several units; such inter-course collaborations are compulsory and assessed in a dedicated Collaborations unit in year three.
Graduate careers can include: design, recording, production and mastering of music and sound; forensic audio including restoration and archiving; design and development of music software; and music technology journalism. Computing skills enable graduates to work outside the music industry.
Graduates can progress into: music and sound design for theatre, radio, television, museums, gaming content, software or new media; music technology journalism; management; and education. Computing skills enable graduates to work outside the music industry
Graduates in BSc(Hons) Music Technology may find employment in a wide range of fields. These include in particular sound recording, production and mastering; audio-related areas such as forensic audio, noise analysis/measurement, audio restoration, audio archiving, and acoustic consultancy; the design & development, testing, documentation, and consultancy of music software; music technology journalism; music management; education and other areas of the music industry. Also the high level computing skills of the graduates allow for many careers outside the music industry.
Additional:
GCSE Mathematics, grade C or better (or equivalent)
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)
We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your 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
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.
Return your completed application to:
University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk
This course is delivered via a mix of learning activities. The main body of knowledge of this course will commonly be presented in lectures at first. Smaller group seminars will invite more active student engagment (e.g., discussions); seminars will expand and clarify key points of the lectures, and discussions commonly also add further insights. Practical exercises (e.g., for studying music software) are delivered in workshops. In the seminars and workshops you will also be given opportunities for individual help and questions, including advice on areas of your own particular interest in the field, as well as help and advice with assignments.
Self directed study is of paramount importance in this course. Many important Music Technology skills require regular practice, and you will therefore regularly receive exercises in many units that you will complete on your own. Solving these exercises is of crucial importance to reach the core learning outcomes.
Music Technology is taught in a dedicated classroom and studios with networked computers and a range of appropriate equipment and software for music production. You have access to these facilities for lab-based practical work outside your taught sessions (timetables are pre-booking schemes apply).
Teaching materials will be available online, and students can contribute to online discussions on the Music Technology BREO pages.
The University of Bedfordshire is committed to ensuring that curricula across all courses are inclusive to all students. The Disability Advice Team is available to discuss any issues students may have and can provide services such as dyslexia screening/tuition, note takers, and support with mobility on campus. They offer confidential advice and information about academic and personal issues, adjustments in examinations, applying for the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) and buying suitable equipment.
All students concerned that their studies may be affected by disability are encouraged to contact either their Field Chair, Course Leader or Personal Tutor for advice at whatever point in their course the need to do so becomes apparent.
Communication
To help with the development of this you will:
Information Literacy
To help with the development of this you will:
Research and Evaluation
To help with the development of this you will:
Creativity and Critical Thinking
To help with the development of this you will:
While your learning will be clearly guided in the beginning of your studies, progressively you will be given greater responsibility for your own learning, until in two units of your final year you will choose yourself the main subject matter of your studies.
Also your responsibility for the assessment will increase over the years. In some units you will be invited to negotiate the assessment criteria, and you will assess peers in a group as well as yourself by explicitly indicating how well the set or negotiated assessment criteria have been met.
In order to make summative assessment feedback most effective, you will usually receive individual feedback packaged as a sandwich, which starts by pointing out what you did well, continues with critique, and concludes with suggestions how you could do better in future.
You have constant access to the transcript of your results and progression through the SITS E:Vision system. You will also have meetings with your Personal Tutor to assist the reflective process in monitoring your progress. In case of questions you are encouraged to contact your Personal Tutor, Unit Coordinator, or Course Leader. Many students find it helpful to maintain a personal blog of their progress monitoring academic and skill development, which can be developed within the platform BREO.
The importance of professional standards of behavior 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.
The following are the basic Professional Standards required by the course:
1. Regarding course engagement, you must always inform your lecturer in advance, by email, of any non-attendance. Otherwise, you are expected to arrive punctual to any teaching session, be attentive during the session, and stay until the end of the session. This is not only a courtesy to both teaching staff and your student cohort; it is also a prerequisite for your learning progress and for your later employability.
2. During any teaching session, distractions must be avoided. In particular, using mobile phones, games, social networking sites, software not related to the session in question, or any other clearly unrelated activity is strictly prohibited. It should be self-evident that violating this standard grossly contradicts any notion of professionalism and employability. If you violate this standard, then you can be excluded from that teaching session in order to minimize any distraction of other students.
3. You must submit all assessed work before the deadline. You should note that the normal vagaries of life would not be acceptable as an excuse for missing a publication/transmission deadline within the industry and so we will apply the same standards. Computer problems and data loss will certainly not be accepted as a valid reason for non or late-submission.
4. In seminars and workshop sessions, critical feedback is encouraged, but should be constructive and avoid any personal implications. When engaging in a debate, either in person or online, be vigorous by all means, but avoid being rude or insulting.
5. Music Technology and media are subject to a range of legislation and regulation. Your production work must conform to these limitations and any other legislation that impact on your work. All your work must remain within the law. If in doubt, seek advice from your tutors and supervisor.
6. You may freely borrow production equipment from the Media Stores. The availability of equipment will always be limited and so you must ensure that you return it on time and in good order. Whilst you have University equipment in your possession you must take care to ensure that it is not lost or stolen and that you operate it in a safe manner and in accordance with training you are given.
7. When completing academic work you must adhere to the codes and conventions of academic writing with all sources acknowledged and referenced in accordance with the Universitys guidelines. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may constitute plagiarism. Plagiarism is an academic offence and can endanger your academic career. Please consult your lecturers if you have any concerns in this area regarding your own work.
8. If you are suffering difficulties for any academic or non-academic reasons, please consult the teaching team or the relevant support staff at the University. We will give you confidential advice and guidance, or tell you who you best contact. Tackling issues as quickly as possible can save your academic career.
9. Regarding all elements of the course: if in doubt, then ask. It is NOT professional to stay silent and hope for the best.
This course appreciates the importance of professional behavior. Adhering to the media code of professional conduct with reference to attendance and punctuality; finishing given work; as well as care and prompt return of equipment is assessed in all work.
You will be made aware of the professional standards during induction week, and they are available to you in your course documentation, such as this document and the Course Handbook. These standards will be constantly reinforced in all units and by contact with academic staff.
