Undergraduate study

Overview

• Teaching in a diversity of musics from creative, performance, interpretive, historical and cultural perspectives
• Breadth and depth of coverage: staff specialities include classical music, jazz, rock & pop, film & TV scoring, and world music, and approaches including music analysis, history, cultural studies, composition, song writing and performance
• Flexible Dual and Single Honours degrees with pathways in performance, musicology and composition, or combinations thereof; Single Honours students may also pursue a pathway in Music Technology; Dual Honours students can combine Music with Music Technology, or with subjects as diverse as Psychology, English, Educational Studies, History, Law, Economics, and Media, Communications and Culture
• Innovative and effective teaching methods, which prepare our graduates for careers throughout the music industry, in education at all levels, within a broad range of other professions, and for postgraduate study in Music
• Study abroad and scholarship opportunities
• Facilities include seven designated electronic studios, performance spaces, lecture and seminar rooms, a dedicated Music Library within the main university library, extensive collections of books, scores, CDs and DVDs, and purpose-built practice rooms
• 24/7 access to practice and electronic studio facilities
• The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise rated 82% if research undertaken in Music and Music Technology at Keele as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent', the highest rating of any research group at Keele University
• Music and Music Technology at Keele are rated in the 'Top Ten' for overall students' satisfaction by the 2011 Guardian and Times University Guides
• Music received very good results in the latest NSS with overall student satisfaction of 4.4, which is significantly higher than the sector wide of 3.9 points
• Three staff members have been awarded a prestigious Arts and Humanities research Council Fellowships in 2010-2011
  
  

Music at Keele is situated in the early 19th-century Clock House (a listed building in a scenic part of the campus) and the modern Lindsay Studios complex.

Its Dual and Single Honours Music courses provide advanced musical training while stimulating critical and creative thinking, teaching key study skills, and developing students' abilities to work independently and as part of a team.

Recent External Examiner's reports have praised an 'attractive and distinctive research-led programme that not only nurtures critical and creative thinking but also furnishes its students with a range of skills that are both pertinent to the discipline and valuable in the wider professional arena', that 'staff are enthusiastic and actively engaged with the content, delivery and refinement of the course', and that Music's 'courses are well-designed and delivered and offer excellent breadth and depth'.

The rigorously planned modular basis of the courses allows great flexibility in choice of topic alongside opportunities for specialisation. Students can pursue their own particular interests in performance, musicology and composition; on the Single Honours degree, they can also follow a pathway in Music Technology by taking modules on Music’s sibling programme.

There is a strong performing tradition at Keele. Active participation is expected of most students in performing groups such as the Keele Philharmonic Orchestra, Keele Philharmonic Choir, Keele Bach Choir and Keele Concert Band. Many other performance opportunities also exist with student-directed ensembles ranging from recorder groups to rock bands.

Music runs a programme of recitals and research seminars with visiting speakers and performers, and there are regular opportunities for student participation in workshops and concerts. Keele Concerts Society runs an additional professional concert series and students are eligible for concessions at these events, which feature an international array of critically acclaimed performers. In addition, there is an increasing range of events and concerts in the local area, with Glyndebourne Touring Opera, for instance, being a regular visitor to the Regent Theatre. The major concert halls in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham are also within easy reach, and Music runs regular trips to concerts and musical events in the surrounding area.

For information about entry routes to Music, see entry requirements

Instrumental lessons

Instrumental or singing lessons are available to all students during the first year at the rate of 12 hours of tuition per year, while all students taking recital electives receive lessons in subsequent years. Currently, students taking Solo Performance in the second year receive 12 hours of lessons and 24 hours of small group work, and finalists taking a double recital receive 14 hours of lessons in addition to a significant amount of additional small group teaching and coaching throughout the academic year.

Most lessons are given at Keele by visiting instrumental and vocal teachers. 

Scholarships

The following scholarships are open to competition:

• Chapel Music scholarships, for an organist or musical director
• St John's Keele Choral Scholarship for a conductor
• Montford scholarship, for an instrumentalist or vocalist
• Orchestral Leader scholarship, offered by the Keele Philharmonic Society
• Audely and District Male Voice Choir scholarship, for first and second year singers (male or female)
• Clough Hall Technology School instrumental tuition fellowships

Further details can be obtained from the Music undergraduate administrator.

Course Content

Please note that modules may vary from year to year.

First year 
You will take core modules and optional electives designed to equip you with core knowledge and expertise in a broad range of music while developing your analytical, practical, theoretical and scholarly skills.

Core modules
20th-century Musics
Active Listening
Sonic Arts Repertoire
Analog and Digital Audio

Electives
Unless you opt for the non-performance route from the first year, you will be expected to take the elective Instrumental Lessons, a module in performance relating to vocal or instrumental tuition.

Additional optional modules currently include:

Popular Music
Introduction to Composition
Sound Recording
Composing with Sound
Surround Sound

Second year
You begin to weight your studies towards your key interests. You can choose from a range of optional modules:

Solo Performance
Chamber Music
Composition Studies: Intermediate Composition
Composition Studies: Contemporary Orchestration
Lyrics and Song Writing module.
Music in German Culture
Music in the Community
Stravinsky
Theory and Analysis
Unheard Melodies? Music in the Narrative Film
Indian Music
Creative Sound Design
Interactive Realtime Composition
Record Production in Theory and Practice

Third year 
You will be able to specialise in performance, composition and musicology.

Recital
Composition 2
Songwriting
Dissertation

The final-year musicology electives include:

Research in Music Psychology
Narrative, Music and Meaning
Analysing Musical Narratives
Paris 1889-1939
Contextual Studies

Students continuing a Music Technology pathway into their final year can take electives including:

Colloquia in Electronic Music
Music Programming
Digital Arts Creative Portfolio.

Course content: Dual Honours

Please note that modules may vary from year to year.

For descriptions of these modules, please see above.

First year
During the first year, you will take core modules and optional modules designed to equip you with core knowledge and expertise in a broad range of 20th-century music, developing your analytical, practical, theoretical and scholarly skills.

Core modules 
20th-Century Musics
Active Listening

Electives
Unless you opt for the non-performance route from the first year, you will be expected to take the option Instrumental Lessons, a module in performance relating to vocal or instrumental tuition.

Examples of Electives:

Popular Music
Introduction to Composition
Ensemble Performance
Sound Recording
Surround Sound
Instrumental Lessons

Second year
You begin to weight your studies towards your key interests. You can choose from a range of optional modules.

Solo Performance
Chamber Music
Intermediate Composition
Contemporary Orchestration
Audio Visual composition

Creative musicians with an interest in popular music may also be interested in the Lyrics and Song Writing module.

Musicological second year electives include:

Music in German Culture
Music in the Community
Stravinsky
Theory and Analysis
Unheard Melodies? Music in the Narrative Film
Indian Music

Third year
You will be able to specialise in performance, composition, musicology. Modules are chosen reflecting your preferred pathway and musical focus.

Recital
Composition
Songwriting
Independent Dissertation Study
Research in Music Psychology
Narrative, Music and Meaning and Analysing Musical Narratives
Paris 1889-1939
Contextual Studies
Colloquia in Electroacoustic Music

Study Abroad

All Music students have the option of spending a semester in their second year at one of our partner universities in North America, South African or Australia.

For further information regarding the courses, please contact the Music Administrator. Further information for potential students is also available from our website.
Music Administrator
Tel: 01782 733295
Email: music@mus.keele.ac.uk
Website: www.keele.ac.uk/depts/mu

Codes and Combinations

Students are candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) (BA Hons) if their two Principal courses are in humanities and/or social science subjects.

All students who study a science subject are candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science (with Honours) (BSc Hons).

Dual Honours Course can be combined with:

Single Honours and Foundation courses available:

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching in Music at Keele is innovative and diverse. From the first year students will be taught in a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. Students will participate in group discussions (including blogs and discussion threads in the online learning environment Blackboard), individual and group presentations, and submit coursework ranging from weekly assignments to substantial dissertations on topics of the students' own choosing.

Modules are usually assessed by essays, portfolios of written work, and projects. Exceptions include modules assessed solely by performance, online tests, compositional portfolios, dissertation, and an examination in the third year.

Programme specifications (new window)

Skills and Careers

In addition to enhancing specific musical skills, a degree in Music develops a wide range of transferable skills in, for instance, presentation, writing, critical thinking and organisation, while offering invaluable experience in team work. All our graduates share a broad range of interests and abilities attractive to employers. Keele Music students have found careers in arts administration, the BBC (as researchers and studio engineers), orchestras, recording companies, publishing, game design, film and television, and the regional authorities. Other career options include teaching, music therapy, librarianship and further research. Some students, of course, choose to pursue careers outside music, and Music graduates are highly prized for their unique transferable skill set by professions including accountancy, law, computer programming, actuarial work and journalism.

A Dual Honours degree in Music and Music Technology, or a Single Honours degree in Music including a pathway in Music Technology, opens up a vast range of career possibilities. Students taking Music Technology in combination with Music at Keele obtain unique and wide-ranging musical and technical expertise, thereby increasing their employability and options in areas such as sound design, software design, and recording studio work. In addition, they acquire the necessary skills for work as freelance sound designers for applications such as games and video, TV and film. Performers, composers and music scholars also benefit greatly from developing their hands-on experience of technologies ranging from grand pianos to mixing desks.

Music destinations for graduates who completed their undergraduate course in 2011:

Of those who responded:

Want to work in?

Many students are excited by careers that utilise the academic knowledge and skills developed on their degree:

• Musician
• Music Therapist
• Sound Technician
• Secondary School Teacher
• Private Tutor
• HE Lecturer

What else?

For those who do not wish to pursue a career directly related to their degree, here are some career ideas to open up options:

• Arts Administrator
• Event Organiser
• Radio Broadcast Assistant
• Editorial Assistant
• Community Arts Worker
• Academic Librarian

Careers information

Visit our Careers pages (new window)

For details contact the Music Admissions Officer.

UK/EU Admissions
Tel: 01782 734005
Email: admissions.ukeu@keele.ac.uk

International Admissions
Tel: +44(0) 1782 733274
Email: international@keele.ac.uk

Course Information
Tel: 01782 733295
Email: a.b.truman@keele.ac.uk