Music and Performing Arts

Foundation Degree Music Production in partnership with Bath Spa University

This course is primarily intended for aspiring music technologists and performers. Following the remit of all Foundation Degree programmes, this provision is structured as a pathway to industry. Learners will gain the fundamental skills and experience required to obtain sustained employment in a range of relevant fields.

Students will develop and shape their careers in music production, recording and/or performing in live environments and nurture
valuable contacts in the field. Across a two-year trajectory this programme will support students' creative development, performance skills and technical understanding of studio equipment and music software. The programme is taught in the heart of Bath at the new,
state-of-the-art City of Bath College Music Department which offers a range of creative and commercial possibilities in music. On successful completion of this Foundation Degree students are eligible to apply for third year entry to appropriate Honours Year
programmes.

UCAS code: J930
Institution code: B20

Course Structure
Validated by Bath Spa University, this two-year course follows Bath Spa's academic calendar of three 40-credit modules per year, each spanning 30 weeks. For each module learners will attend weekly formal lectures followed by a practical-based workshop.

A otal of six modules will be studied at City of Bath College, which are:
Year One: Advanced audio software skills; studio techniques; understanding sound and music.
Year Two: Producing sound for TV, film and multimedia; live sound and events management; producing and marketing your music.

Methods of Study and Assessment
Assessment is largely through coursework: portfolios of creative and practical work supported by some written evaluation. Assignment-based study is an important part of this course and learners will be required to have good communication, organisational and
independent research skills. A blend of teaching and learning methods are employed including lectures, group class activities, practical workshops, written tasks, personal research and one-to-one tutorials.

Extra Information
The Music Department is comprised of highly skilled and trained lecturers and technicians with extensive commercial and academic experience. Members of the team have engineered for Realworld studios, Air studios, Radio One John Peel Sessions, worked with
Massive Attack and Roni Size and worked for EMagic, Steinberg, Digidesign and comanaged Nirvana and the Darkness.

Progression Opportunities
Although the Foundation Degree is a stand alone (career-related) qualification in its own right, students successfully completing this course may be eligible to progress to the third year of an appropriate Honours degree programme at Bath Spa University, subject to a
place being available.

While the University is committed to enabling Foundation Degree students to progress, in the event of there being insufficient places to accommodate all students who have applied, applicants will be subject to a selection process which will be based on achievement during the Foundation Degree.

Previous students on this programme have gone on to study Honours Degrees in Creative Music Technology and Commercial Music.

Students are also able to apply to other institutions (through UCAS) for entry onto second or third year of other related degree programmes.

Employability
Possible career opportunities on completion of this course include live sound engineer, studio sound engineer, location recording engineer, multimedia programmer, music producer, music programmer or audio post-production engineer.

Industry Links
The Music Department has forged several strong links with industry practitioners.

Guest lecturers for 2009/10 included:
- Sil Wilcox - manager Stranglers, Bluetones
- Andy Pemberton - Music Journalist
- Indigo and Synchro - (Drum & Bass Producers)
- Apple Blim - Skull Disco Records
- Danny Byrd - (Drum & Bass Producer)
- Ben Tilly - head acoustician at ATC
- Shawn Joseph - owner of Optimum Mastering

Entry Requirements
160-200 UCAS Tariff points (eg BC; CD+AS c), with at least 60 points from a music-related qualification (including BTEC Music Practice / Music Technology / Performing Arts or A-level Popular Music, Music Technology or Music.
Candidates who do not have the standard qualifications but who are over 21 and have music industry experience will be considered.

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