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Our BSc (Hons) Music Technology and Computing degree builds upon the existing research links between computing and music technology, two disciplines that are becoming more intertwined as technology develops. There are several joint links between the School of Music and Fine Art and the School of Computing, with a number of staff with shared research and practice interests across the two schools.
Overview
This degree will benefit students by providing them with an innovative resarch-led programme taught by experts from both disciplines. Your creative side is encouraged through musical tasks such as composition, arrangement and remixing.
This programme is aimed at those who want to study music with a greater technical/computing component in their degree, and/or the student who wants a good grounding in computing while pursuing (and incorporating into their study) creative musical interests.
Programming and higher computing skills are being recognised as an essential skill in many graduate professions (for example, graduates of this degree would be particularly suited to working in creative media companies), especially with the government’s recent emphasis on ‘coding’ within the school curriculum.
Graduates of this degree will demonstrate a well-rounded mix of creative, technical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to think across different perspectives.
Our specialist music facilities have the latest software and hardware, allowing you to produce music content to industry standards. We regularly welcome industry experts who deliver special lectures and run workshops for our students.
As part of the School of Music and Fine Art you are given the opportunity to work with Fine Art, Creative Events and other Music students, creating collaborative projects such as sound installations, music for stage performances, multi-loudspeaker concerts, audio-visual projects and new musical interfaces. Please see our website for more details about these exciting developments: www.kent.ac.uk/musicandaudio
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2014, Music at the University of Kent gained the 3rd highest score in the UK for student satisfaction.
Course structure
Details of indicative modules for this course will be provided shortly.
Teaching and assessment
Most modules consist of a mix of lectures, small group seminars, practical workshops, individual or group project work, research and private study. You have access to current industry-standard recording and post-production facilities to carry out your practical coursework assignments.
We use a wide range of assessment methods, including individual projects, recording sessions, composition assignments, music and multimedia tasks, seminar presentations and written papers. Alongside practical projects, you have lectures and seminars that will help you to develop your writing and research skills.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- Produce music technology graduates equipped to fulfil significant roles within a broad range of digital media industries.
- Provide a multidisciplinary education for students who seek professional careers in music production, music technology and related areas.
- Develop specialist knowledge in audio recording and production, music production and the hardware and software related to these disciplines.
- Provide students with the opportunity for personal development and encourage critical thinking with regard to current professional practice.
- Equip students with the necessary analytical and learning skills and abilities to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing field.
- Provide students with high quality academic guidance and provide an environment in which students can achieve their full potential.
- Assist the students in developing skills appropriate to both autonomous and team-based working practices.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- Essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relevant to music technology.
- The science, mathematics and technological base relevant to music technology.
- Relevant contemporary issues in the areas of music technology and music practice.
- The methods needed to confront, explore and assimilate unfamiliar musical sounds, concepts, repertoires and practices.
- Oral, written and visual signs denoting music.
- The professional and ethical responsibilities associated with music technology.
Intellectual skills
You develop intellectual skills in the following areas:
- Skills of research and exploration; gathering, synthesis and evaluation of evidence, including the ability to quote from and acknowledge academic sources, relating insights to the practice and experience of music.
- The ability to plan, implement, evaluate, and reflect critically on work in progress.
- The ability to recognise direct influences and quotations in one’s own and others’ work.
- The ability to assimilate and synthesise complex information.
- The ability to exercise judgment and to make informed choices.
- Maintain a sound theoretical approach in enabling the introduction of new and advancing technology to enhance current practice in music technology.
- The ability to design and/or evaluate the design of a system, process or product.
- Solve (music technology related) engineering problems, often on the basis of limited and possibly contradictory information.
Subject-specific skills
- The ability to conceive musical ideas and to manipulate them in an inventive and individual way.
- The ability to develop materials into well-formed and coherent musical structures.
- Use a wide range of tools, techniques and equipment, including pertinent software.
- The ability to develop, promote and apply safe systems of working with particular regard to the requirements of music technology.
- The ability to engage with a variety of musical styles through creative and technical projects or exercises.
- The ability to combine musical sound with other media.
- The ability to use analogue and digital equipment for creating and recording music.
- The ability to use and adapt computer software for music-related tasks such as notation, sound analysis and synthesis, composition, sound recording and editing.
- An understanding of the acoustic and physical theories relevant to the design and construction of acoustic musical instruments.
Transferable skills
- The ability to communicate and interact effectively with others.
- IT skills including word processing, email, use of online and CD-ROM/DVD-ROM information sources and current music production industry-standard hardware and software.
- The ability to respond positively to self-criticism and to the criticism of others while maintaining confidence in one’s own creative work.
- Ability to generate, analyse, present and interpret data.
- The ability to manage resources and time effectively and be able to organise and prioritise tasks.
- Problem-solving skills (reacting to new situations; decoding information and ideas; dealing with complex situations; finding ways of working with others under pressure).
- To demonstrate flexibility of thought and be open to new and alternative thinking.
- The ability and confidence to carry a project through to delivery.
- The ability to demonstrate innovative solutions to problems and the transfer of technology.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a group or team.
- Deliver work to a given length, format, brief and deadline, properly referencing sources and ideas.
Careers
Career opportunities include music recording and production, audio software or hardware development, sound for film, television, video games and the internet, live sound for concerts, theatre events and festivals, studio set-up and maintenance, audio installations for museums and exhibitions, sonic arts and computer music, or further study at postgraduate level.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | ABB or BBB at A level plus interview and/or music portfolio |
| GCSE | C in Mathematics |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 overall or 16 at HL including Mathematics 4 at HL, plus interview and/or music portfolio |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.