BA (Hons) Professional Music with Integrated Foundation Year*

· Course duration: 4-years, full time
· Course location: Delivered on campus in Brighton or Sheffield
· Suitable for: Vocalists, guitarists, drummers, bassists, multi-instrumentalists, audio producers, singer-songwriters, composers, sound engineers, electronic music producers and DJs.
· Course tuition fees: £9250 per year
· Tuition fee loan available: Yes
· Maintenance loan available: Yes
· Scholarships available: There are no scholarships available for students on an Integrated Foundation Year. Scholarships available on the specialist BA (Hons) Professional Music courses can be found here.
· Bursaries available: All students can apply for innovation cash bursaries
· UCAS: Institution code F33. Please see 'How to Apply' section below for individual course codes by campus and specialist subject area.
· Course entry requirements: 80-120 UCAS points (guide only) or via accreditation of prior learning

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The Integrated Foundation Year is designed to support your access to Higher Education and specifically entry onto one of the BA (Hons) Professional Music courses at WaterBear. It focusses on the development your music and music projects. Every week, you’ll hone specialist skills related to your chosen area of interest and learn about what it means to be a professional in today’s music industry.

Who's it for?

This course has been specifically designed for anyone with a passion for music who wants to go on to study a BA (Hons) Professional Music course at WaterBear, but who may need some extra support prior to studying at degree level. Those who study our BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year degree courses may be one or several of the following:

· Vocalist
· Guitarist
· Drummer
· Bassist
· Multi-instrumentalist
· Audio producer
· Singer-songwriter
· Composer
· Sound engineer
· Electronic music producer
· DJ

Every person who studies at WaterBear has their own story to tell and their own path to follow. We provide a supportive, safe environment for you to experiment and create. You'll also develop a tailored career plan to support your personal goals and ambitions.

How you will learn

You’ll spend around 8-10 hours each week on site in timetabled teaching and learning activities. You'll also get access to all your module content via WaterBear's dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

On-site teaching and learning activities can include:

· Lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops
· One-to-one mentoring
· Assignments, assessments and feedback sessions
· Masterclasses
· Live performances and gigs
· Peer collaboration via 'Jam Cloud' (VLE)
· Free rehearsal and recording time in professional studios
· Networking and industry conference events

Career pathways

This course is designed to develop careers in various areas on the music industry, across a wide range of specialisms, including:

· Music performance and composition
· Audio/visual production
· Studio recording
· Music production and engineering
· Live sound engineering
· Digital content creation
· Tour, artist and events management
· Artist, label and publishing services
· A&R and artist development
· DJing
· Technical support
· Music education
· Band / artist management
· Tour / events management
· Digital marketing and PR
· Music journalism
· Sound design and editing
· Games music composition
· Film music composition

Further study

This course includes an introductory one-year lead-in programme prior to starting your specialist BA (Hons) Professional Music degree. You'll have a number of routes to further study available after completing you BA (Hons) Professional Music degree, including the MA Music Performance, Production and Business, MA Music Business and MA Songwriting degree courses at WaterBear and other postgraduate specialist programmes.

• You will study core modules that focus on music and industry practice.
• You will improve your technical abilities and develop your specialism.
• You will be working individually and collaboratively to create and present your ideas.
• You will explore style and genre and develop a wider knowledge of music as a source of income with a focus on what it means to have a DIY approach, including the use of technology.

Module assessment methods will vary depending on the subject matter and will include a blend of practical and written assessment, and portfolio submission.

Course Modules

Production Know-How (20 Credits)

This a very practical module, designed to raise your music production skills to the next level. Modern artists are now used to the concept of tracking the majority of their material to a high standard in home studios. In this module we help you to make the most of your own equipment, as well as have access to WaterBear’s own studios for when you need a bit more tech muscle, beefy hardware or simply need to crank the amps and grab the drum tracks at volume.

Creating great music is what this degree is all about and this module equips you with the essential tools and knowledge to embark on that journey. We delve into the core principles of track production, exploring the functionalities of a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).

You will also have the opportunity to experiment, innovate and develop your own production sound and style .

What Makes Music Great (20 Credits)

Ever wonder why certain songs stick and others don’t? In this module we explore "What Makes Music Great". We embark on a captivating journey through the DNA of iconic tunes and apply those lessons to our own material. Bring your own influences to the table, and share your own knowledge of the music that moves you.

We will develop your sonic fingerprint, learn basic production tricks through the lens of a record producer, and develop your analytical skills to decode musical meaning. We'll dissect melodies, rhythms, and lyrics that resonated with millions, exploring how music reflects and shapes our world.

Music Performance (20 Credits)

This module is your foundation for building a live performance that has the capacity to level an audience. We'll navigate the path from creative exploration to confident execution, providing you with the skills and knowledge to move your music from the practice room to the performance stage. This module serves as the springboard for the next term's "Showcase" module where you'll showcase your refined set on the stage.

Working collaboratively with a tutor and other musicians, you'll forge, rehearse, and discuss your ideas.

Creative Production Workshop (20 Credits)

This module is a sonic playground where your imagination takes centre stage. We'll dive deep into the creative heart of recording, pushing your production skills and ideas to the next level.

No matter your background, this module opens up a world of sound and possibilities. The sky is the limit.

Music Promotion (20 Credits)

We enter the creative world of music promotion. This module will equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the evolving digital landscape and launch your music project to success. You can develop your social media profiles, create alternative digital approaches, or go with traditional strategies such as street poster campaigns, create radical merchandise concepts, or devise wholly new innovative ways of building an audience.

You will be designing and creating content and looking at different ways to change your approach to reach a wider audience.

Showcase (20 Credits)

In this practical module we get ready to rule the stage. You'll focus on prepping for your next gig. Master soundchecks, conquer stage fright, and engage audiences with your honed performance skills.

You will collaborate with a variety of musicians and industry professionals in workshops, develop engaging dynamics, and learn to analyse and refine your creativity for maximum impact. Your final showcase will be tailored to captivate your audience. This journey beyond music isn't just about performance skills, it's about boosting your critical thinking, project management, and creative problem-solving skills for any career path, as well as owning any stage that you set foot on.

Modules on specialist pathways

On successful completion of the Integrated Foundation Year, you will continue on your choice of specialist BA (Hons) Professional Music courses below. Select links to view module information for individual courses:

· BA(Hons) Professional Music (Performance)
· BA(Hons) Professional Music (Production)
· BA(Hons) Professional Music (Electronic Music)
· BA(Hons) Professional Music (Songwriting)

UCAS codes for individual 4-year Integrated Foundation Year Degrees can be found in the 'How to Apply' section below.

Initial applications for the BA (Hons) Professional Music with Integrated Foundation Year degree courses can be made via the Apply Now button below. 

Apply Now 

You can also apply directly via UCAS using the links below. 

UCAS Course codes are as follows:

Brighton

UCAS Institution Code F33 / UCAS Campus Code W / Campus Name WaterBear, Brighton

(W315) BA(Hons) Professional Music (Performance) with IFY (4 years, on-site)

(W316) BA(Hons) Professional Music (Production) with IFY (4 years, on-site)

(W317) BA(Hons) Professional Music (Electronic Music) with IFY (4 years, on-site)

(W318) BA(Hons) Professional Music (Songwriting) with IFY (4 years, on-site)

Sheffield

UCAS Institution Code F33 / UCAS Campus Code L / Campus Name WaterBear, Sheffield

(W320) BA(Hons) Professional Music (Performance) with IFY (4 years, on-site)

(W321) BA(Hons) Professional Music (Production) with IFY (4 years, on-site)

(W322) BA(Hons) Professional Music (Electronic Music) with IFY (4 years, on-site)

(W323) BA(Hons) Professional Music (Songwriting) with IFY (4 years, on-site)

We consider all applications on their own merit and potential. We'll invite you to a 1-1 session, either in person or by video conference. This is where you'll have the opportunity to find out all about WaterBear and talk about your music, achievements and career goals. 

Falmouth University Terms & Conditions 

The BA (Hons) Professional Music with Integrated Foundation Year courses are also available to international students if they are based in the UK with settled status (no restrictions on how long you can stay).

Language requirements

If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to achieve equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of equivalent approved tests too. Visit the English Language Requirements page of the Falmouth University website for more information.

In order to get the most out of the Integrated Foundation Year, it is essential that you have regular access to the correct resources. Having your own equipment will provide maximum flexibility to support both your college and personal project work.

Essential basics:

· Your instrument (instrumentalists)
· Expendables (strings, sticks, picks, leads, etc.)
· Note-taking materials (pens, notepad, manuscript paper, etc.) (Purchase cost around £20)
· Computer (desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.) (Purchase cost around £250-£400)
· DAW software (Purchase cost around £50-£100)
· USB memory stick (Purchase cost around £10)
· Reliable Internet connection

We recommend:

· Computer (laptop / desktop) capable of running DAW, audio interface, plug-ins and A/V processing software (recommended 8-16GB RAM, 7,200 RPM Hard Drive, 8MB buffer, 1TB hard drive (Purchase cost around £600-£800)
· Reliable, high speed Internet connection
· Professional DAW software (ProTools, Logic, Cubase, Ableton, etc.) (Purchase cost around £200-£450)
· External hard drive (Purchase cost around £25-£50)
· Dynamic microphone(s) (e.g. Shure SM57 / SM58) (Purchase cost around £80-£100)
· Audio interface (e.g. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2) (Purchase cost around £100-£200)
· Headphones (e.g. Sennheiser HD 200, Beyerdynamic DT770) (Purchase cost around £75-£150)