Production of Popular Music

If you are interested in the production of popular music at postgraduate level and would like to explore the subject from a practical perspective with an emphasis on studio-based work, this course is ideal. For your final major project you focus on composition and production within the popular music genre, producing an extended album of your popular music compositions/covers.
At Kingston we have five state-of-the-art recording studios, including one with a large live room used for professional recordings. We also have two computer laboratories containing 26 IMac computers with full music software for sequencing and processing. Several members of staff are practically engaged with the professional production of popular music.

What will you study?

You will focus on the production of current popular music, creating and recording tracks using the University's high-quality recording facilities at Coombehurst. You will also explore the composition of popular music, recording techniques and the marketing of popular music.

You will widen your musical knowledge and experience by choosing an option module from an extensive range, including those covering composing with sound design, ensemble performance and composing for film and TV.

Core modules

• Advanced Production of Popular Music
• Colloquia
• Major Project
• Popular Music Composition
• Recording Techniques
• Researching Music
• The Marketing of Popular Music

Optional modules

• Comparative International Music Education
• Music Education in the UK: Theory and Practice
• Psychology of Musical Learning, Communication and Expression
• Sound Design
• Techniques and Technology for Composing for Film and Television
• The Aesthetics of Musical Performance
• Applied Musical Skills
• Conducting
• Creating Music and Sound for Image 2
• Ensemble Projects 2
• Jazz Studies 2
• Live Electronics
• Music in Context
• Special Study
• British Cinema 1960-1990
• Gender and Sexuality in European Cinema
• Mapping World Cinema
• New Hollywood: from the mainstream to the margins
• Place and Identity in European Cinema(s)

A good honours degree in music from either the UK or abroad (this may be in a specialist field such as popular music, performance or music technology). Typical entry qualifications are an honours degree in music at 2.2 or above (2.1 preferred). We may ask applicants to submit an essay as evidence of strength in written work and/or a portfolio of popular music compositions. Where an applicant can produce evidence of relevant experiential learning (eg work as a professional performer, composer or producer), it may be possible to consider a good honours degree in a subject other than music or advanced study in a conservatoire (which has not led to a degree) in lieu of a music degree. Where English is not your first language, you must have an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B)