Sonic Arts

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 9 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 13 k / Year(s) Deadline: Jan 15, 2025
StudyQA ranking:9195 Duration:36 months

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Description

This programme is designed for students who wish to extend their understanding of music technology as a creative tool. Starting from a foundation in sound software and hardware and recording techniques, you will progress towards advanced study of sonic arts composition and live interaction. You will also be free to pursue interests in composition, performance, improvisation, and musicology.

For their first year, Sonic Arts students join other music students in a range of studies aimed at establishing a rounded 21st-century musicianship, including both music technology and a broader perspective on music theory and practice. You should therefore be studying Music at A-level or have a pass at least Grade 5 theory to apply for this programme. If not, we will require you to take our online music admissions test.

Practical Music-making

Facilities include a computer suite fully equipped for sound design and notation, studios for individual work, individual practice rooms and larger spaces for group rehearsals.

There is a vibrant student performance culture on campus comprising several ensembles performing contemporary and classical music, improvisation, jazz, and live electronics.

You will be part of a highly dynamic music department with a strong profile in the Greater London area. The University hosts many recitals and concerts, including new performance work by students, staff and visiting artists, in the newly refurbished Antonin Artaud building.

About the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences at Brunel

The College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences at Brunel includes degree courses in English, Journalism, Music and Sonic Arts, Film and Television Studies and Modern Drama. Research conducted by staff provides the basis for much of our teaching, ensuring that modules are connected to debates and issues that are current within these areas. Each programme develops basic skills within its discipline but allows you to explore your own particular interests through a range of optional modules.

We also benefit from the activities of the Arts Centre, which organises tuition, performances and exhibitions across a range of arts.

Aims

You will become familiar with a range of techniques and approaches to computer music and sonic arts, as well as with the history of sonic art and related traditions.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline January 15 Tuition fee
  • GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
  • GBP 13000 Year (Non-EEA)
UK/EU students: £9,000 full-time; £6,750 part-time ; £1,000 placement year Start date September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 360 ECTS
Duration full-time 36 months Languages Take an IELTS test
  • English
Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Part-time, Full-time Intensity Flexible Part-time variant Flexible

Course Content

The degree course is modular. Modules are worth 20 or 40 credits and you must complete 120 credits for each year of your degree programme. All music and sonic arts students take the same modules in Year 1 – the performance module can be taken in electronic performance, so does not require proficiency on an acoustic instrument. In years 2 and 3 you will have a wide range of optional modules to choose from; some of these topics can be taken at either Level 2 or Level 3. The final year project requires you to carry out in-depth research on any related topic of particular interest to you – many Sonic Arts students choose to do a practical Sonic Arts project, which, along with the 40-credit Sonic Arts III module, allows for a highly specialised third year.

Typical Modules

Level 1

  • Sound Recording & Sonic Arts (20)

  • Musicianship (20)

  • Materials of Music (20)

  • Musicology I: histories, forms and structures (20)

  • Composition I (20)

  • Performance I (20)

Level 2 Core

  • Sonic Arts II (40)

Level 2 Options

  • Composition II (20)

  • Performance II (Classical or Experimental) (20)

  • Performance II (Popular Music or Jazz) (20)

  • Musicology II: genres (20)

  • Conducting and Realisation (20)

  • Instrumentation and Orchestration (20)

  • Music and Perception (20)

  • Popular Music Studies (20)

  • Stylistic Improvisation (20)

  • Free Improvisation (20)

  • Jazz and Pop arranging (20)

  • Professional Development (20)

Level 3 Core

  • Sonic Arts III (40)

  • Special Project (40)

Level 3 Options

  • Composition III (40)

  • Performance III (Classical or Experimental) (40)

  • Performance III (Popular Music or Jazz) (40)

  • Musicology III: towards the new music (40)

  • Conducting and Realisation (20)

  • Instrumentation and Orchestration (20)

  • Music and Perception (20)

  • Popular Music Studies (20)

  • Stylistic Improvisation (20)

  • Free Improvisation (20)

  • Jazz and Pop arranging (20)

  • Professional Development (20)

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 CAE score : 60(Grade C) TOEFL paper-based test score : 580 TOEFL iBT® test : 92

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test. More About IELTS

Requirements

  • GCE A-level BBB, including Music at grade B.

  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM in a related subject.

  • BTEC Level 3 Diploma DD in a related subject with an A-level Music at grade B.

  • BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D in a related subject with A-levels grade BB including Music.

  • International Baccalaureate Diploma 32 points in HL 6 in Music.

  • Access to Higher EducationDiploma Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2 with Merits in all units. Applicants who are not taking A-level music or grade 7/8 music but are musically inclined may be asked to take a short test.

All candidates without A-level Music at grade B or equivalent or Grade 8 ABRSM, LCMM or Trinity College will be required to pass a brief entrance test, details of which will be provided upon application.

GCSE Mathematics grade C and GCSE English grade C are also required.

English Language Requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)

  • Pearson: 58 (51 in all subscores)

  • BrunELT: 65% (min 55% in all areas)

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

  • Academic Excellence Scholarship

    "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

  • Access Bursary

    Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

  • Alumni Bursary

    Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Brunel University.

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