Creative Music Technology BMus (Hons) – 2024 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2024
| Award | UCAS code | Course duration |
|---|---|---|
| BMus (Hons) | UCAS: W3G5 | 3 years View KIS data set |
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
| Course | UCAS code | Institution code |
|---|---|---|
| BMus (Hons) | W3G5 | S85 |
Why choose this course
5th
In the UK for music by the Guardian University Guide 2023
Our BMus (Hons) Creative Music Technology course offers you a route to an exciting career in the arts and creative industries. Our course will equip you with the skills for making innovative music in the 21st century, helping you to develop your own unique musical style. On this course you’ll be taught by music technology experts and creative practitioners, and work in a unique environment using world-class professional facilities. You’ll also have opportunities to collaborate with students from across the department.
The University of Surrey was shortlisted for University of the Year in The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.
What you will study
On this practice-led course you’ll study the creative use of music technology using a wide range of specialist software and hardware, preparing you for a broad range of careers in the creative industries.
You’ll choose from areas of study such as electronic music creation and performance, sound design, music for moving image and creative music programming. Traditional music skills are also an important part of the course, and you may also choose to study traditional instrumental music, including performance.
Our vision is to create ‘thinking musicians’. We’ll work with you to develop analytical and interdisciplinary approaches to composing and performing with technology and to produce a strong portfolio of creative work.
The skills that you develop will prepare you for professional opportunities in the creative industries as well as future postgraduate education.
Please be aware: the course content and modules listed for this course are subject to change for the 2024/25 academic year, whilst we undertake a curriculum design review. Please contact the programme leader if you have any queries about the course.
Facilities
Excellent facilities are available for students to use, including edit studios, performance spaces, a self-access computer room, practice rooms and a multichannel synth studio. This space houses the Moog Sound Lab (UK), containing the unique Moog System 55 modular synthesiser as well as premier synthesisers from other major manufacturers. You will also have access to specialist microphones and mobile recording devices for location recording. Synthesisers and related equipment is also available for loan. The Department houses two Steinway concert grand pianos and a collection of instruments, some of which may be loaned to students.
You’ll have access to a well-stocked audio-visual room, with digital and online listening resources, plus an extensive archive collection of scores, LPs and CDs located in the nearby University Library.
Awards and scholarships
Students of the department of Music and Media benefit from our connections to the music industry. We are a member of the Adam Audio Academic Programme, through which each year an undergraduate student is selected to become an Adam Audio scholar.
Students may apply for the yearly Ableton Prize for Composition and the Ableton Prize for Live Performance.
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Study BMus (Hons) Creative Music Technology and you’ll develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a successful career in the creative industries, including those centred around digital music, film, TV live-event and computer-games.
Our graduates have gone on to become successful film and TV sound designers, producers and composers, and have found employment in music education, business and marketing. They have also achieved higher degrees and qualifications.
Staff
This course is taught by academic staff from the Department of Music and Media.
Academic year structure
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules usually can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course can be viewed on the relevant programme specification.
Optional modules for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
In Year 1 students take all compulsory modules and select three optional modules, one in Semester 1 and two in Semester 2. In Semester 2 choose either Topic Study 1A or 1B, PLUS either Music Project 1B or Pathways in Musicianship B.
Optional modules for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
There are four compulsory modules at Year 2 with a total value of 60 credits. Students are required to select two optional modules for Semester 1 and two optional modules for Semester 2.
Optional modules for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Students are required to take one compulsory module, and to choose optional modules to complete the programme of study according to the following rubric,:
- Select two modules in Semester 1 and three in Semester 2
OR
- Select three modules in Semester 1 and two in Semester 2
Timetables
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Teaching
You will gain your skills through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. We make appropriate teaching materials available to you through our online e-learning system, SurreyLearn.
Practice rooms, edit suites and self-study areas are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether your classes are practical or theoretical, you will develop your skills through a combination of academic, theoretical and creative practice led by teaching staff who are qualified to approach topics from all points of view.
There may be occasions when the delivery of your teaching is supported by graduate teaching assistants. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.
Assessment
We assess modules individually and award credits for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and reports.
Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
International entry requirements by country
Other international qualifications
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
We normally make offers in terms of required grades. If applicants do not have ABRSM Grade 5 theory or equivalent at the point of application, this may be included as a condition of the offer.
Applicants may be invited to participate in an interview either on campus or via Teams or Zoom. Offers are normally made in terms of grades following a successful interview.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on RPL a for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information.
Please contact Admissions on +44 (0)1483 682222 with any queries.
Fees
The annual tuition fees for courses starting in September 2024
BMus (Hons)
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate courses.
- Fees for UK students: The University will apply annual regulated increases in the fee rates as set by Government each year, in order to maintain the same value in real terms.
- Fees for EU students: The UK is now no longer part of the EU, we are awaiting further instruction from the UK government and we will publish this as soon as it is provided. Find out more information about Studying in the UK and the Scholarships for EU students.
- Fees for international students: Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
- Fees for international students with an integrated foundation year: The programme fee for Year 0 will match the lowest Year 1 overseas fee rate from across the substantive programmes for that year of entry. Students subsequently progressing into Year 1 will be liable for the same fee as overseas students joining at Year 1 for the same programme in that year. Annual fees after Year 1 will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a Tuition Fee Loan: will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule.
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a Tuition Fee Loan: are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
If you are sponsored: you will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Additional costs
It may sometimes be necessary for students taking instrumental or vocal lessons with tutors in the Department (as part of their performance modules) to incur some small travelling expenses to tutors’ homes. This is only the case with tutors for whom it is advantageous for their students and themselves to teach at home, for example in the case of drum kit and bass guitar tutors.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and procedures, the student regulations , and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions for the 2023/24 academic year and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/23 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us and before you accept an offer. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH