Modern Music Practices MSc

UCAS code

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Make your mark in the music industry with Staffordshire University. Our masters in Modern Music Practices has been designed to equip creative music practitioners with the personal and professional skills necessary to succeed in the highly competitive environment of the modern music industry. You will have the opportunity to explore a variety of topics across a range of specialisms including: Music Production, Music Technology, Creative Composition and Performance, and Entrepreneurship for the Modern Musician. You can also choose to study this course as an MA or MSc

For 26/27 entry.

Our course is student centered, industry focused and, above all, flexible. You will be able to tailor your learning and assessments to match your personal interests, skill sets, and career aspirations.

You will have access to our world class facilities, including five interconnected recording studios, well equipped live rooms, a Pro Tools HDX system, an SSL AWS 900 mixing desk, a dedicated mastering room, and two Mac labs.

Our course team are all passionate about music and sound. We are all either actively involved in the music industry or engaging in world class research, as evidenced by our recent REF excellence and our internationally excellent research. You will benefit from being a part of our dynamic research culture.

 

For 26/27 entry.

Our course is student centered, industry focused and, above all, flexible. You will be able to tailor your learning and assessments to match your personal interests, skill sets, and career aspirations.

You will have access to our world class facilities, including five interconnected recording studios, well equipped live rooms, a Pro Tools HDX system, an SSL AWS 900 mixing desk, a dedicated mastering room, and two Mac labs.

Our course team are all passionate about music and sound. We are all either actively involved in the music industry or engaging in world class research, as evidenced by our recent REF excellence and our internationally excellent research. You will benefit from being a part of our dynamic research culture.

 

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Modern Music Practices

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Modern Music Practices

Work placements

A work placement module is offered as an option in both the first and second semester.

Course content

You will begin by studying Module One: Modern Musicianship 1. This will be an opportunity for you to gain experience and knowledge in Music Production, Music Technology, and Creative Composition and Performance. You will cover topics such as studio techniques, mixing and mastering, electronic music production, electronics, acoustics, studio design, composition, performance and creative software design.

The focus of Module Two: Modern Musicianship 2 will be on guided, self-managed learning. You will explore your own areas of interest by accessing our facilities and expertise within a critical and supportive framework supported by a series of individual and group tutorials, and student led sessions. You will also be introduced to research methods and ethics at a postgraduate level.

Module Three: Career Development for the Music Professional (40 credits) focuses on career development and employability. It is also an opportunity to explore the theme of Entrepreneurship for the Modern Musician. Our careers team will work with you to help you to develop your employability skills and portfolio building. You will be encouraged to create your own company or microenterprise.

Finally, drawing on your experiences in the previous modules, you undertake Module Four: Building a Portfolio (Major Project) (60 credits). This is an opportunity to carry out an in-depth study on an area of specific interest to you. Your final degree classification – MA or MSc – will be determined by the content and focus of this final project.

You will begin by studying Module One: Modern Musicianship 1. This will be an opportunity for you to gain experience and knowledge in Music Production, Music Technology, and Creative Composition and Performance. You will cover topics such as studio techniques, mixing and mastering, electronic music production, electronics, acoustics, studio design, composition, performance and creative software design.

The focus of Module Two: Modern Musicianship 2 will be on guided, self-managed learning. You will explore your own areas of interest by accessing our facilities and expertise within a critical and supportive framework supported by a series of individual and group tutorials, and student led sessions. You will also be introduced to research methods and ethics at a postgraduate level.

Module Three: Career Development for the Music Professional (40 credits) focuses on career development and employability. It is also an opportunity to explore the theme of Entrepreneurship for the Modern Musician. Our careers team will work with you to help you to develop your employability skills and portfolio building. You will be encouraged to create your own company or microenterprise.

Finally, drawing on your experiences in the previous modules, you undertake Module Four: Building a Portfolio (Major Project) (60 credits). This is an opportunity to carry out an in-depth study on an area of specific interest to you. Your final degree classification – MA or MSc – will be determined by the content and focus of this final project.

Academic year

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Entry requirements

Normal requirements are at least a UK second class honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline

If you do not meet the above but have significant appropriate experience, your application will be considered, if you satisfy the University that you are capable of responding to the challenge of postgraduate work. 

If your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate that you are fluent enough to cope with the course. A minimum score of IELTS 6 or TOEFL 550 (213 computer-based) is normally required.

Normal requirements are at least a UK second class honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline

If you do not meet the above but have significant appropriate experience, your application will be considered, if you satisfy the University that you are capable of responding to the challenge of postgraduate work. 

If your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate that you are fluent enough to cope with the course. A minimum score of IELTS 6 or TOEFL 550 (213 computer-based) is normally required.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

GO

Facilities

World class facilities including: five interconnected recording studios, well equipped live rooms, a Pro Tools HDX system, an SSL AWS 900 mixing desk, a dedicated mastering room, and two Mac labs

Music Studios

The recording studio complex features six control rooms containing a variety of analogue, digital and hybrid mixing consoles as well as a Foley pit, and four live rooms hosting a selection of industry-standard amplifiers, microphones and instruments. Read more

Find out more about our Cadman Music Studios.
Watch video View virtual tour

Careers

On completion of the course, you will be prepared for employment in a wide variety of areas related to the modern music industry.

Examples of potential destinations include: Music production, Sound recording, Composition – music for film, games, television, and theatre, Mastering audio, Software engineering, Environmental acoustics, Further and higher education, Live sound, Film sound, Sound for games, Sound for theatre, and performance.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

The approach to teaching on this programme have been guided by our commitment to embedding flexibility, industry relevance, high professional and academic standards, and employability into every stage of the course.

We understand the importance of flexibility to the modern, industry-focused student. Our aim, therefore, is to make best use of our world-class facilities, subject expertise, and industry connections to create a highly relevant, bespoke experience, tailored to individual student’s needs, aspirations, and interests. 

The approach to teaching on this programme have been guided by our commitment to embedding flexibility, industry relevance, high professional and academic standards, and employability into every stage of the course.

We understand the importance of flexibility to the modern, industry-focused student. Our aim, therefore, is to make best use of our world-class facilities, subject expertise, and industry connections to create a highly relevant, bespoke experience, tailored to individual student’s needs, aspirations, and interests. 

Assessment

Assessment will be through a variety of methods, guided by the specific requirements of the individual projects.

Although it is expected that most assessments will involve practice-based portfolio materials, it will also be possible to accommodate students taking more theoretical, traditionally academic routes.

Examples of assessment types include: portfolio materials, written reports, presentations, reflective journals and blogs, interviews, and group work for collaborative projects. 

Assessment will be through a variety of methods, guided by the specific requirements of the individual projects.

Although it is expected that most assessments will involve practice-based portfolio materials, it will also be possible to accommodate students taking more theoretical, traditionally academic routes.

Examples of assessment types include: portfolio materials, written reports, presentations, reflective journals and blogs, interviews, and group work for collaborative projects. 

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

You will receive formative feedback via individual and group tutorials, virtual learning environments and informal discussions. Summative feedback will be available at the end of each formal assessment.

You will receive formative feedback via individual and group tutorials, virtual learning environments and informal discussions. Summative feedback will be available at the end of each formal assessment.

Independent learning

Guided, independent learning forms an important part of the course. You will be encouraged to explore your own areas of interest within an inclusive and supportive framework. Your independent learning will be supported by a series of individual and group tutorials, as well as student led sessions.

Guided, independent learning forms an important part of the course. You will be encouraged to explore your own areas of interest within an inclusive and supportive framework. Your independent learning will be supported by a series of individual and group tutorials, as well as student led sessions.

Staff

All of our staff are passionate about music and sound. And all are active practitioners, either through industry or as researchers.

Dr Marc Estibeiro

Associate Professor

Marc is the Course Leader for MA Music Production and teaches computer sound, advanced Pro Tools techniques, modern composition and music software design.

Marc's profile

Dr Dave Payling

Associate Professor

Dave is an audio-visual artist who holds a PhD in composition. His primary research focus is Electronic Visual Music and he teaches composition, audio-visuals and mastering at undergraduate and post-graduate levels

Dave's profile

Alexander Hough

Lecturer

Alex is a lecturer for Music & Sound degrees. He teaches various aspects of music production including recording studio fundamentals, advanced recording techniques, mixing, mastering, sampling & synthesis and audio for multimedia post-production

Alexander's profile

Fees

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Included in the fees:

Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module.

The use of all workshops, studios and specialist technical facilities and hire of equipment relating to the course of study.

Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module.

The use of all workshops, studios and specialist technical facilities and hire of equipment relating to the course of study.
Not included in the fees:

You  will be offered the opportunity to undertakes Avid’s internationally recognised Pro Tools certification up to Operator level (210M). Pro Tools, developed by Avid, is the industry standard recording, mixing, and editing environment used in major music and postproduction facilities all over the world. Staffordshire University is an Avid Learning Partner and as such we have an excellent relationship with the company and are able to offer their certification programme. There will be a minimal cost to cover the price of the courseware.

The Music and Sound area has several links to institutions abroad and you may wish to take advantage of these. In particular, we have excellent relationships with Inland University in Rena, Norway, and the St Louis College of Music in Rome, Italy. We also have a new  partnership with McEwan University in Alberta, Canada.

You  will be offered the opportunity to undertakes Avid’s internationally recognised Pro Tools certification up to Operator level (210M). Pro Tools, developed by Avid, is the industry standard recording, mixing, and editing environment used in major music and postproduction facilities all over the world. Staffordshire University is an Avid Learning Partner and as such we have an excellent relationship with the company and are able to offer their certification programme. There will be a minimal cost to cover the price of the courseware.

The Music and Sound area has several links to institutions abroad and you may wish to take advantage of these. In particular, we have excellent relationships with Inland University in Rena, Norway, and the St Louis College of Music in Rome, Italy. We also have a new  partnership with McEwan University in Alberta, Canada.
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply

Applications are not currently available for this course.

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021