Music and Technology BA (Hons)

The Music and Technology programme at the University of Liverpool allows students to specialise in the vocational areas of recording and production, electronic music, sound design, and composition for film and video gaming. Students will have access to recently refurbished, industry-standard facilities, including several recording and production studios.

Introduction

The programme focuses not only on technical areas such as sound recording and music production but also allows students to explore other creative and experimental applications of music technology. Students will underpin their technology practice with specialist theoretical, historical, and contextual modules and will have the option to develop their performance skills in either popular or classical music.

Course Content

• Year One: Students take four compulsory modules and four optional modules.
  • Compulsory modules:
    • Introduction to Digital Audio Workstations (MUSI109)
    • Introduction to Sound and Technology (MUSI171)
    • Making Music in Culture (MUSI121)
    • Introduction to Sound Recording and Production (MUSI108)
  • Optional modules:
    • Foundations of Music Theory (MUSI181)
    • Introduction to Classical Music History (MUSI130)
    • Introduction to Popular Music History (MUSI140)
    • Writing for Instruments (MUSI105)
    • Classical Composition 1 (MUSI106)
    • Introduction to Sound and Music in Audiovisual Media (MUSI170)
    • Music as an Industry (MUSI150)
    • Popular Composition 1 (MUSI107)
    • Theory in Practice: Exploring Music's Construction (MUSI180)
    • Classical Performance 1 (MUSI102)
    • Popular Performance 1 (MUSI104)
• Year Two: Students' second year will comprise entirely of optional modules, with some restrictions on which modules can be taken in conjunction with others.
  • Optional modules include:
    • Classical Performance 2A (MUSI201)
    • Early Musical Cultures from the Islamicate Court to the English Reformation (MUSI219)
    • Exploring Harmony, Chord Progression and Pitch (MUSI280)
    • Foley and Sound Design (MUSI208)
    • Global Pop: Popular Musics of the World (MUSI261)
    • Live Sound (MUSI214)
    • MAX and Ableton Live (MUSI209)
    • Music in Gaming (MUSI273)
    • Opera and Politics (MUSI232)
    • Popular Music Composition 2 (MUSI210)
    • Popular Performance 2A (MUSI203)
    • Sound Recording and Production 2 (MUSI243)
    • Working in Music Industry (MUSI252)
    • Classical Composition 2 (MUSI207)
    • Classical Performance 2B (MUSI202)
    • Composition for Digital Games (MUSI206)
    • Composition for Film and Television (MUSI205)
    • Contemporary Genres (MUSI263)
    • Introduction to Conducting (MUSI200)
    • Introduction to Music Psychology (MUSI290)
    • Live Improvisation with Ableton (MUSI217)
    • Music and Human Experience (MUSI291)
    • Music in World Cinema (MUSI270)
    • Music, Gender, and Sexuality (MUSI220)
    • Musical Theatre (MUSI274)
    • Orchestration (MUSI216)
    • Popular Performance 2B (MUSI204)
    • Sampling and Remixing (MUSI213)
    • Sound, Technology, and Society (MUSI241)
    • Professional and Career Development (SOTA260)
    • School of the Arts Work Placements Module (SOTA300)
    • Becoming Entrepreneurial (ULMS254)
• Final Year: Students choose their modules from a wide range of options.
  • Optional modules include:
    • Aesthetics of Music (MUSI320)
    • Composing Electronic Music (MUSI308)
    • From Hardware-Hacking to Hyper-Instruments (MUSI318)
    • Jazz (MUSI341)
    • Popular Performance Contexts (MUSI303)
    • Record Label Recording, Production and Project Planning (MUSI314)
    • Self-Management for the Music Industries (MUSI319)
    • Advanced Live Sound (MUSI316)
    • Between Romanticism and Modernism (MUSI332)
    • Curation and Heritage (MUSI353)
    • Exploring Rhythm, Form, and Musical Time (MUSI380)
    • Popular Music Composition 3 (MUSI310)
    • Record Label Management, Marketing and Distribution (MUSI315)
    • The Film Music of John Williams (MUSI370)
    • Independent Project: Classical Performance (MUSI395)
    • Independent Project: Composition (MUSI397)
    • Independent Project: Creative Music Technology (MUSI396)
    • Independent Project: Popular Composition (MUSI394)
    • Independent Project: Popular Performance (MUSI398)
    • Independent Project: Research (MUSI399)
    • School of the Arts Work Placements Module (SOTA300)

Teaching and Assessment

We employ a range of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, masterclasses, 1-2-1 instrumental lessons, ensemble coaching, and online tasks and projects. The emphasis is on student participation and interaction. Each module has an individually determined system of assessment.

Course Options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Options include:

• Global opportunities: Spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.
• Year in China: Immerse yourself in Chinese culture.
• Year abroad: Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad.
• Semester abroad: Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
• Summer abroad: Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project.
• Year in industry: Gain in-depth workplace experience.
• Language study: Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree.
• Combine this subject: Study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.

Your Experience

Much of your teaching will take place in the Department of Music, with recently renovated facilities including studios, teaching spaces, and industry-standard equipment. The Tung Auditorium, a 400-seat state-of-the-art performance venue, supports our requirements and functions as a public-facing space for concerts.

Careers and Employability

Studying music opens up many career opportunities, including jobs in music and beyond. As a music student, you will achieve creative flair, confidence, and a range of transferable skills. The School has its own placements and employability officer, and you will have the opportunity to undertake work experience opportunities.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition Fees:
  • UK fees: £9,790 per year for full-time study, with reduced fees for year in industry and year abroad.
  • International fees: £27,000 per year for full-time study, with reduced fees for year in industry and year abroad.
• Scholarships and Bursaries: We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including The Liverpool Bursary, Asylum Seekers Scholarship, Care Leavers' Opportunity Bursary, and more.

Entry Requirements

• Qualifications:
  • A levels: ABB including A level Music or A level Music Technology grade B, or ABRSM Grade 8 in Music Theory at Pass.
  • BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: We evaluate each BTEC application on its merits and may make offers at DDM.
  • International Baccalaureate: 32 points overall with no score less than 4, including 5 in Higher Level Music.
  • Other qualifications are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• English Language Requirements:
  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5.
  • TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17, and speaking 19.
  • Duolingo English Test: 125 overall, with speaking, reading, and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100.
  • Other English language tests are considered.

University of Liverpool