BMUS(HONS)

Programme overview

Updated 26 April 2023

Programme Structure

Overview

Years 1 and 2

• Principal Study in performance or composition (with optional Related Study or Second Study), with regular faculty-
based workshops, activities, and opportunities for performance

• Courses in historical studies & performance practice, practical musicianship & classical improvisation, applied
aural skills, study skills, and musicians' health & wellbeing

• Artist Development course in year 2 comprising classes in Stagecraft & Communication and Career Management
skills

• Core course on Music Leadership in Year 2, comprising units in Learning & Participation
• Opportunity to fast track to higher levels of study in aural awareness and practical musicianship

Years 3 and 4
• Continuing work in performance and/or composition studies (Principal, Related and Second Study)

• Core course on Music Leadership Skills in Year 3 comprising units in music pedagogy and leadership

• Creation of a personalised programme of study selecting from a varied menu of options (offered on either a yearly
or two-yearly basis)

Learning and teaching hours

Learning and teaching hours are calculated as 100 hours per ten credits studied. For BMus students this equates to 4,800
hours over the course of four years, which is split between self-directed study and contact hours with tutors. Contact hours
include performances, one-to- one tuition, larger group tuition, seminars, faculty and academic classes, directed rehearsals,
masterclasses, competitions and supervised study. Rehearsal and performance contact time will vary according to each
student’s discipline and chosen study options. The diagram below is designed to illustrate the RCM learning experience.

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 1:1 lessons Faculty classes
Studio teaching Masterclasses
Audition skills Group teaching
Pedagogical/teaching skills Performing skills
Psychological awareness/readiness Health and wellbeing
Health and wellbeing
Chamber performance
Learning Learning
through through my
Principal Faculty
Study

Learning Learning
Solo through through Applied aural skills
performance context
Chamber Musicianship skills (via my instrument)
Historical and cultural context
Orchestral performance
Leadership & collaborative skills
Composition
Innovation & Enterprise skills
Competition
Performance Science
Stagecraft
Writing & presentation skills
Becoming an educator
Digital & studio skills

BMus Programme Modules and Levels of Study

Each module within our undergraduate programme is assigned a level according to the Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) credit system. Core modules in years 1 and 2 can be taken
at levels 4, 5 or 6. Optional modules in years 3 and 4 are taken at levels 5 and 6.

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 BMus (Hons) Programme Framework
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Principal Study Level 4 (40/60) 1 Principal Study Level 5 (40/50/60) Principal Study Level 6 (60/70/80) Principal Study Level 6G (60/70/80)
Second Study (20) Second Study (20) Second Study (20) Joint Principal Study Level 6G (40/40)
Related Study (0) Related Study (10) Related Study (10)
Joint Principal Study Level 4 (60) Joint Principal Study Level 5 (60) Joint Principal Study Level 6 (40/40)

Musicianship & Improvisation Level 4, 5 Musicianship & Improvisation Level 5 or 6 (10) Strands of Options (10/20) at Levels 5, 6
or 6 (20) These will be organised across the following specialisations:

Applied Aural Level 4, 5 or 6 (10) Applied Aural Level 5 or 6 (10) or • Applied Skills [Musicianship, Aural, Stylistics, Alexander Technique]
• Faculty Based Options [Chamber Music, Interpretation of Song, Opera, Acting &
Aural in Professional Contexts Level 6 (10) Movement]
• Music in Context [Historical Studies, Digital & Studio, Innovation & Enterprise]
• Music Leadership & Education [Conducting, Instrumental and Vocal Teaching]
Historical Studies Level 4 (20) Historical Studies Level 5 (20) • Performance Science [Psychology of Music]
• Open Project (L6G – 30 credits) [in any of the above areas; Y4 only]

Healthy Musician Level 4 (10) Professional Musician Level 5 (10) The Researching Practitioner Level 6 (10)
• Stagecraft & Communication
• Digital Skills for Musicians
• Career Management

Music Leadership: Learning & Participation Music Leadership: Teaching Skills &
Level 5 (10) Techniques Level 5 (10)

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Numbers in brackets are the credit weighting for the given module.

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BMus Core Modules and Options
Please note that optional modules may be subject to change according to student numbers and availability of professors.

Applied Skills Credits Pre-requisite (core modules in red)

Alexander Technique L5 20 L4 Healthy Musician
Alexander Technique L6 20 L5 Alexander Technique
Aural in Professional Contexts L6 10 L5 or L6 Applied Aural Skills
Applied Aural Skills L6 10 L5 Applied Aural Skills
Jazz Stylistic Composition L6 20 L5 or L6 Musicianship & Improvisation
Improvisational Ensemble Interpretation: 10 L5 Applied Aural Skills
Jazz L6
Improvisational Ensemble Interpretation: 10 L5 or L6 Musicianship & Improvisation
Baroque L6
Improvisational Ensemble Interpretation: 10 L5 or L6 Musicianship & Improvisation
Experimental L6
Orchestration & Transcription L5 20 L5 or L6 Musicianship & Improvisation
Orchestration & Arrangement L6 20 L5 Orchestration & Transcription
Music and Words L5 10 L5 Historical Studies
Conducting L5 20 L5 or L6 Musicianship & Improvisation
Conducting L6 20 L5 or L6 Musicianship & Improvisation

Faculty-based Credits Pre-requisite (core modules in red)

Collaborative Piano L5 * 20 L5 Principal Study Piano

Collaborative Piano L6 * 20 L5 Collaborative Piano
Collaborative Piano L6G * 20 L6 Collaborative Piano
Guitar Accompaniment L5 * 20 L5 Principal Study Guitar
Guitar Accompaniment L6 * 20 L5 Guitar Accompaniment
Interpretation of Song L5 20 L5 Principal Study Voice
Interpretation of Song L6 20 L5 Interpretation of Song
Opera, Acting & Movement L6 20 L6 Principal Study Voice
Organ Improvisation L5 * 20 L5 Principal Study Organ
Organ Improvisation L6 * 20 L5 Organ Improvisation
Chamber Music Performance L5 20 L5 Principal Study
Chamber Music Performance L6 20 L5 Chamber Music Performance
Contemporary Music in Action L6 10 L5 Principal Study

* May not be taken in conjunction with a Second, Related or Joint Principal Study since these options attract 10 hours of additional
1:1 tuition over the year. Principal Study may be taken at 80 credits but with 35 hours tuition only over the year.

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 Music in Context Credits Pre-requisite (core modules in red)

Collections in Practice A L6 10 L5 Historical Studies

Composition for Screen L6 20 L5 Electronic Music or L5 Second Study Composition
Composition L5 20 L5 or L6 Musicianship & Improvisation
Composition L6 20 L5 Composition
Introduction to Music Technology 10 L5 or L6 Musicianship & Improvisation
Electronic Music L5 20 L5 or L6 Musicianship & Improvisation
Electronic Music L6 20 L5 Electronic Music
Historical Studies L6: Investigating Music A 10 L5 Historical Studies
Historical Studies L6: Investigating Music B 10 L5 Historical Studies
Innovation & Enterprise L6 10 L5 Music Leadership 1: Learning & Participation
Musician in the Digital Age L5 10 L5 or L6 Musicianship & Improvisation
Sound Recording and Production L6 20 L5 Principal Study (composers) or L5 Introduction to
Music Technology

Music Leadership & Education Credits Pre-requisite (core modules in red)

Education & Teaching Placement L5 10 L5 Music Leadership 1: Learning & Participation
Instrumental & Vocal Teaching L6 20 L5 Music Leadership 2: Teaching Skills & Techniques
Workshop Leadership L6 20 L5 Music Leadership 1: Learning & Participation or L5
Music Leadership 2: Teaching Skills & Techniques

Performance Science Credits Pre-requisite (core modules in red)

Musical Care Throughout the Life Course L5 10 L4 Healthy Musician
Psychology of Performance L5 10 L4 Healthy Musician

Open Project Credits

Open Project (Year 4 only) 30

The BMus(Hons) offers our students various trajectories to specialise in depending on the strengths and interests .