Creative Musicianship - MMus

About this course

About

The MMus in Creative Musicianship is a flexible postgraduate programme which aims to produce informed, skilled and insightful musical practitioners across a wide range of musical genres working in three practice-based fields: Performance, Composition & Creative Audio or Music and Communities. Whether opting to spend a short, focused period of study honing your musicianship skills as part of a PGCert or expanding your studies into a PGDip or Masters, this is the ideal programme for those who wish to develop, refine or refresh their professional expertise for work in the creative industries while also providing the perfect springboard for further postgraduate and/or PhD study.

Over the first two semesters, two complementary Specialism modules (20 credits each) familiarise students with the most important recent developments in their specialist pathway, training them in essential technical, research and communication skills while providing them with opportunities to put their expertise to practical use. The Practice module is devoted entirely to developing the individual's creative practice in their chosen field affording opportunities for one on one tuition. Meanwhile, the Seminar module provides a platform for contextual, aesthetic and theoretical study in their chosen discipline via group tutorial work and practice-based workshops.

In addition, modules in Music Technology and Society and Research Project provide opportunities for students to compliment their chosen pathway through project work both in and outside the university.

For those continuing their study to MMus level, the third semester Final Project (60 credits) allows student to undertake a sustained period of self-directed, practice-based work related to their chosen specialism.

Attendance

Full-time: three semesters (one calendar year in total) for MMus or two semesters for PGDip and PGCert

Currently timetabled as one contact day per week full-time, plus any relevant instrumental/vocal tuition and work in the library.

Part-time: six semesters (two calendar years in total).

Currently timetabled as one contact day per week, plus any relevant instrumental/vocal tuition and work in the library.

Start dates

• September 2024

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Each module on the MMus in Creative Musicianship is assessed by 100% coursework. Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, research paper, presentation, performance, lecture recital, workshop activity, practical/design work and portfolio submission. Individual study, research and creative work is given progressive feedback, ensuring that students have the opportunity to reflect on and refine projects in light of tutor guidance.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one sessions with individual tutors and project supervisors; visiting creative industry professionals, including the department’s musician-in-residence, give talks and deliver workshops. Individual study, research and creative work is given progressive feedback, ensuring that students have the opportunity to reflect on and refine projects in light of tutor guidance.

The MMus comprises 180 credits, taken in five semesters when studied part-time (typically two semesters in year one and three semesters in year two). A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years. Normally, each module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment.

Educational Aims

In broad terms, the educational aims of the MMus in Creative Musicianship are designed to inculcate those qualities identified under the 'Descriptor for a qualification at Masters level' in The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Quality Assurance Agency, 2008), and the Master's Degree Characteristics (QAA, 2010) document with particular reference to the Specialised/Advanced Study Master's rubric:

• a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study, or area of professional practice;
• a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship;
• originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline;
• conceptual understanding that enables the student:
• to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline; and,
• to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them, where appropriate, to propose new hypothesis.

Specifically, the postgraduate provision in Creative Musicianship is offered with the intention of:

• enabling students to focus on a particular practice-based aspect of a broader subject area in which they have prior knowledge or experience through previous study or employment
• enabling students to focus on a particular practice-based subject area or field of study in greater depth than they encountered during the course of previous study or experience.
• enabling students to learn how to conduct research linked to a particular discipline or field of study;
• enabling students to undertake a research project (including practice as research) on a topic within the area of interest that makes up the majority of the overall assessment;
• enabling students to specialise or to become more highly specialised in an area of employment or practice related to a particular profession; generally, to prepare students for the next stage in their careers, whether that is further academic or professional study, or entering employment of different kinds.

The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.

Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:

• the relevant generic national Qualification Descriptor
• the applicable Subject Benchmark Statement
• the requirements of any professional, regulatory, statutory and accrediting bodies.

Attendance and Independent Study

As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until near the start date and may be subject to change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days of attendance will often be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.

Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.

The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.

Postgraduate Masters courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.

Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be via one method or a combination e.g. examination and coursework . Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Normally, a module will have four learning outcomes, and no more than two items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.

Calculation of the Final Award

The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6 (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).

Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Masters degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.

All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.

Figures correct for academic year 2019-2020.

Academic profile

The teaching staff on the MMus are recognised nationally and internationally as practitioners and researchers in the fields of composition, performance, broadcasting, contemporary music, sound design studies, film music, creative technologies and disability arts practice. Collectively, the Music lecturers at Ulster have consistently produced 4* (world-leading) and 3* (internationally excellent) research. Their contribution to REF2014 resulted in Music at Ulster placing joint 2nd in the UK for Research Impact.

• Dr Brian Bridges https://www.ulster.ac.uk/staff/bd-bridges
• Dr Rob Caseyhttps://www.ulster.ac.uk/staff/r-casey
• Professor Frank Lyonshttps://www.ulster.ac.uk/staff/fr-lyons
• Dr Linley Hamiltonhttps://www.ulster.ac.uk/staff/lp-hamilton
• Mr John Hardinghttps://www.ulster.ac.uk/staff/j-harding
• Professor Brian Irvinehttps://www.ulster.ac.uk/staff/b-irvine
• Dr Adam Melvinhttps://www.ulster.ac.uk/staff/a-melvin
• Dr Shaun Ryanhttps://www.ulster.ac.uk/staff/sp-ryan

Staff have served as External Examiners at the Universities of Cork, Limerick, Glasgow, Birmingham City, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Waterford Institute of Technology and Dublin Institute of Technology, Technological University, Dublin, the Royal Academy of Music, London and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Most staff are recognised as Fellows or Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. Two staff members have been awarded National Teaching Fellowships, while two others have received MBEs for services to Music.

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise.  The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff.  This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Year one

Composition Seminar 1

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

Composition Seminar 1 will facilitate the development of a student's technical work in composition and creative audio through its coverage of its coverage of a range of theoretical and aesthetic issues their connection with aspects of creative practice.

Composition and Creative Audio Practice 1

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

Composition and Creative Audio Practice 1 will nurture the development of original musical, audio and sound compositions through supervision and workshop/performance activity.

Music and Communities Seminar 1

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

Music and Communities Seminar 1 will explore the role of the musician in community arts, developing knowledge of theory and practice which will equip them to engage in a range of aspects of community-based arts projects.

Music and Communities in Practice 1

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

Music and Communities in Practice 1 will explore the practical roles of the musician in community music, developing skills which will equip students to contribute positively in a range aspects of community-based arts projects.

Performance in Practice 1

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

Performance in Practice 1 aims to give students professional training in a variety of areas of practical and intellectual musicianship. Students are encouraged to evaluate critically and give appraisals of their own performance skills and those of their peers. Projection of a course of action for this module and beyond is a central focus.

Performance Seminar 1

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

Performance Seminar 1 aims to give students professional training in a variety of areas of practical and intellectual musicianship. Students are encouraged to evaluate critically and give appraisals of their own performance skills and those of their peers. Projection of a course of action for this module and beyond is a central focus.

Music and Communities in Practice 2

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

Music and Communities in Practice 2 will explore the role of the musician in community
arts, developing skills which will equip students to provide leadership in all aspects of
community-based arts projects.

Composition and Creative Audio Practice 2

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

Composition and Creative Audio Practice 2 will nurture the development of original musical, audio and sound compositions through supervision and workshop/performance activity.

Research Project 1

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

This module will allow students to present a research project representing the fruits of a sustained piece of individual research. Having agreed a topic with an appointed supervisor that will offer scope for higher academic study and/or professional development, the student's work will be supported by regular tutorial contact.

Year two

Music and Communities Seminar 2

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

Music and Communities Seminar 2 will explore leadership roles of the musician in
community arts, developing skills which will equip students to provide leadership in a
wide range of aspects of community-based arts projects.

Composition Seminar 2

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

Composition Seminar 2 will develop students' technical work in composition and creative audio through original composition, analytical work and research training.

while while composition composition, analytical work and research training.

Performance in Practice 2

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

Performance in Practice 2 aims to give students professional training in a variety of areas of practical and intellectual musicianship. Students are encouraged to evaluate critically and give appraisals of their own performance skills and those of their peers. Students are engaged with building a repertoire as solo and/or ensemble musicians and the development of skills in musical direction.

Performance Seminar 2

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

Performance Seminar 2 aims to give students professional training in a variety of areas of intellectual musicianship. Students are encouraged to evaluate critically and give appraisals of their own performance skills and those of their peers. Students are engaged with building a repertoire as solo and/or ensemble musicians and the development of skills in musical direction.

Research Project 2

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module will allow students to present a minor project representing the fruits of a sustained piece of individual research. Having agreed a topic with an appointed supervisor that will offer scope for higher academic study and/or professional development, the student's work will be supported by regular tutorial contact.

Year three

Major Project

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

This module allows students to present a major project representing the fruits of a sustained piece of individual research. Having agreed a topic with an appointed supervisor that will offer scope for higher academic study and/or professional development, the student's work will be supported by regular tutorial support.

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must meet the University's minimum entrance requirements and, in addition, a) hold a second-class honours degree or better in music or another relevant discipline from a recognised institution, or b) an equivalent qualification, or c) be able to provide other evidence of ability and experience appropriate to the course. International applicants whose first language is not English must attain either of the following English competence standards:

A written proposal outlining the intended area of individual study (i.e. the Specialism and, ideally, an idea of what the third-semester project might involve) should support the application; all applicants will be interviewed and/or auditioned.

The University will consider applications on the basis of experiential learning for those who do not hold the normal entry qualifications. The onus is on the applicant to evidence that they have relevant experience equating to degree study at honours level.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

• English language requirements
• Your country

Exemptions and transferability

Studies pursued and examinations passed in respect of other qualifications awarded by the University or by another university or other educational institution, or evidence from the accreditation of prior experiential learning, may be accepted as exempting candidates from part of the programme provided that

(a) they shall register as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final third of the credit value of the award at the highest level.

(b) the Final Project module is not exempted for those wishing to complete the MMus award.

Careers & opportunities

Career options

-Professional work in the creative industries (performance, composing, creative technologies)

-Further academic or practical study

-Community-based education and/or creative work

-Technical positions in the music industry

-Teaching work

Work placement / study abroad

Work placements are available as an option within Research Project.

Apply

Start dates

• September 2024

Contact

For more information visit

• Visit Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Visit School of Arts and Humanities

Disclaimer

Testimonials

"Choosing the MMus at Ulster was one of the best decisions I ever made. As a traditional musician the level of tuition I received was world class - and opportunities my tutor created for me to perform and to enage with the traditional arts from an industry perspective was amazing. I wish I could do it every year!" Maggie Maguire, Co. Fermanagh (MMus, 2011-12)

"The MMus is designed to allow flexibility to choose an academic course of study that meets the individuals needs of the student. I chose the performance modules which are focused on investigating both practical and intellectual skills.

I believe the course provides an opportunity for you to further grow and mature as a professional musician. The lecturers are a constant source of great advice and support throughout the course which is particularly important for international students studying in their second language like myself.

As a mature returning student, I highly recommend the course for people of all ages."

Sakito Oka, Japan (MMus 2018-19).