Popular Music Performance and Songwriting BA (Hons)

at Coventry University

Why you should study this course

• A focus on creative-based music skills in performance and songwriting which is underpinned by popular music theory.
• A vibrant and creative environment, offering you access to professional practices, new research and outstanding graduate support.
• To engage effectively with a range of technology in the creation, performance and recording of music, including recording studios and live performance.
• Regular opportunities to showcase your performing and songwriting talent in a public context throughout your studies.
• To develop your own personal website (e.g. Domain of One’s Own) which by the later stages of the course, is intended to be a professional-looking, outward-facing website that demonstrates the breadth of your learning and professional experience.
• Performance spaces on-site include a large room with two grand pianos, suitable for small recitals, and The Hub’s Square One, a large performance space kitted out with PA, amps, drums and a grand piano.
• You will have the opportunity to perform in at least one of the following city's live music venues (subject to availability), which previously has included: Studio 54, The Herbert Art Gallery, Kasbah, The Phoenix, The Cross, Drapers, The Cottage, The Tin, The Litten Tree, Ego Arts and Nexus.
• Extensive specialist facilities: a music seminar room with grand piano, PA, amps, drum kit, 5.1 surround sound and directly linked to a control room for recording; music practice rooms with pianos, drums and PA; three band rooms; a 5.1 studio and live room; instrument storage; an iMac music tech suite plus further state-of-the-art recording studios running Pro Tools, Logic, Live, Max and Sibelius on Apple macs.
• Visiting master classes which are embedded within the course and which have included: Black Sabbath founder Tony Iommi, singer/songwriter Gwyneth Herbert; composers: Nick Ryan, Derek Nesbitt, Kit Turnbull and Juwon Ogungbe; sonic artist Trevor Wishart; guitarist Sam Cave; avant-garde bass clarinettist, Sarah Watts; composer and multi-instrumentalist Frank Moon; jazz keyboardist and music production composer, Andy Quinn.Masterclass visitors are subject to availability and may change each year.

What you'll study

Year one
In your first year you will engage in music performance, songwriting and musicianship skills training, supported by contextual reflection. In order to progress your performance skills on your principal instrument/voice you will receive dedicated specialist classes through the Personal Instrumental Learning Plan which you develop throughout the course.

Modules

• Taking Notes, Making Music

• The Digital Musician - 20 credits

• Music in the Marketplace - 20 credits

• Performance and Song Writing - 20 credits

• Popular Music: Context and Culture - 20 credits

• Studio Recording - 10 credits

Year two
In the second year of the course there is an emphasis on the application of your music skills. You are introduced to more profession-based scenarios, with more advanced levels of performance and songwriting, underpinned by professional reflection, and the continuation of the Personal Instrumental Learning Plan.

Modules

• Band Performance - 20 credits

• Writing about Popular Music - 20 credits

• Studio Project - 10 credits

• Applied Performance and Song Writing - 30 credits

• Music and the Moving Image or Live Sound - 20 credits

• The Online Artist - 10 credits

• Live Sound - 20 credits

Final year
In the final year, the aim is to advance your music skills, critical understanding and industry knowledge in order to navigate a career in the music industry, preparing you to operate as an independent artist: a versatile and reflective musician, who can work under pressure and produce a representative body of practical work in performance and songwriting.

Modules

• The Music Industry - 10 credits

• Popular Music Research Project - 20 credits

• Working Briefs - 20 credits

• Music Collaboration - 20 credits

• Advanced Performance and Song Writing - 20 credits

Portfolio

You will be required to submit a portfolio via email or alternatively attend a showcase activity session or audition (as is appropriate for your course) which can be virtual or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites to send in your portfolio or attend these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.
Each application will be considered on its merits.

English language requirements

• Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language equivalent to IELTS 6 with no component lower than 5.5.

International Fees
£18,050 per year 

International Pathways 2022 Scholarship
You could enjoy a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees.
Our high-quality foundation, international year one and pre-masters courses are for international students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry to their preferred Coventry University undergraduate or postgraduate course. We can support you to achieve the academic and/or English grades you need and help you gain the personal and professional skills required to study at university.

We want to encourage ambitious international students like you to study at Coventry University, so we’ve secured extra financial support for you worth £3,000, to help with the cost of tuition fees, living expenses and accommodation.

The scholarship application deadline is:
September 2022 intake: 31 July 2022

There is a strong emphasis within the course on future career paths. This is aimed not only to help you to explore what your chosen career path might be, but also to help build a professional level of business skills and knowledge.

Our graduates pursue careers as performers, sound designers and composers. This degree also enables direct progression to suitable courses while others undertake the appropriate qualifications to become teachers in schools and colleges, or they become freelance instrumental or music theory teachers. Graduates also work with community arts organisations or as arts administrators.