Duration:
3 years full-time for BA (Hons) Music Performance
4 years full-time for BA (Hons) Music Performance with an integrated foundation year
Location:
Confetti London
UCAS course code:
BA (Hons) Music Performance: J939
BA (Hons) Music Performance with an integrated foundation year : J947
Institution code:
N91 (Nottingham Trent University)
- A-levels – BBC; or
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM; or
- 112 UCAS Tariff points from at least two A-levels or equivalent qualifications; and
- GCSE – English and Maths Grade C / 4.
You will also have at least one of the following music qualifications:
- A-Level in Music
- BTEC Extended Diploma in Music (or similar, e.g. RSL Awards)
- Music Theory Grade 5 (ABRSM, Rockschool, Trinity or equivalent)
- Voice or Instrument Grade 5 (ABRSM, Rockschool, Trinity or equivalent)
We very much welcome self-taught applicants who do not have the formal entry requirements. If that’s you, we’ll request a video of you playing 2 songs from start to finish in contrasting styles. This can be performing along to a backing track, or solo. We must be able to hear you clearly and see you in close up. Once we get that, we can chat with you to make sure the course is right for you or advise you about anything you can do further to support your application.
This course is not for instrumental beginners.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors. Find out more about advisors in your country.
This degree is validated by Nottingham Trent University. You can apply through UCAS.
For tuition fee costs, visit our fees & funding page for more information.
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Depending on the instruments you choose to work with, you should also budget a minimum of £150 (Year One), £250 (Year Two), £250 (Year Three) to cover the instrument costs associated to your course.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop, Blackwell’s. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think. There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
This degree is delivered at our Confetti London Campus in Whitechapel.
Develop your technical mastery of instrumental and vocal skills whilst broadening your understanding and experience in songwriting, composition, performance, and music management at Confetti – a specialist in music education.
You’ll get to learn and perform in world class studios and performance spaces, surrounded by experts who are working professionals in the music and creative industries.
You’ll access unrivalled facilities, working on Exigy and ATC monitors; recording, mixing and mastering suites using Neumann, Schoeps, Studer equipment; and production suites running Logic, Pro Tools, Komplete, and Ableton.
With excellent industry connections, you’ll get the chance to gain insights from musicians, producers, executives and live event specialists during Confetti Industry Week and through regular guest lectures.
As part of a personal and artistic development programme teaching and learning centres around key environments. You will attend sessions in specialist facilities designed and built for purpose. Practical sessions will take place in rehearsal and recording studios designed by White Mark Ltd. These spaces are equipped with state of the art hardware and software giving you access to professional grade resources.
Lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials will give you the opportunity to explore the core practical and theoretical principles of the module subject areas.
Weekly sessions providing input, consultation and discussion with tutors and your colleagues based around the core module components. Modules have been designed to bring a holistic approach to each year of study based on study, research and activity to allow development of artistry alongside academic practice.
You'll be encouraged to develop a critical and inquisitive approach to your studies through research into areas of study that are of particular interest to you. The processes of composition, rehearsal and recording are a fundamental in preparation for performance. Rehearsal and recording studio sessions account for a significant portion of delivery. Reflective and engagement with feedback from audience and professionals is designed to give opportunity for growth through the responses you develop.
In order to build and maintain an active and professional network you will work on live briefs. This process also offers the opportunity to build resilience and professional standards within your work and artistic practice.
Outcomes will be assessed in a variety of ways in order to showcase your achievements and allow peer and professional comment. Practically you will undertake performances, presentations and deliver portfolios of work collected during rehearsals and events. Academic reports and essays will be submitted to assess your research and reflective practices.
You will receive a significant amount of informal Formative Feedback during the course. This feedback is provided to help you evaluate your progress as you work through problems. This type of feedback is typically provided within tutorials verbally, as part of seminars, lectures or workshops.
You will receive summative feedback at the end of each module and this provides you with an overarching review of your achievements set against the learning outcomes.
What you'll study in year 1
This module aims to develop your understanding of composition and arranging through the study of the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject area. You will be given a grounding in music theory, arranging techniques and composition, whilst developing hands-on skills in music production software. The latter will provide you with additional options or may form the backbone for the work you do within the areas of composition and arranging.
During this module you will study different approaches to composing. You will work both individually and collaboratively on projects that show a developing understanding of music genre and create a body of work that demonstrates your developing practice as a composer, arranger and producer.
This module aims to develop your performance techniques, focusing on several key areas. You will develop technical competence in playing an instrument, through studying contemporary performance techniques, developing skills in sight reading, listening skills and improvisation.
You will develop your skills as a performer in solo and group contexts, considering the communicative nature of musical performance, your relationship with the audience and exploring the performance environment.
The module also deals with the various technical demands of the performing musician, including instrument maintenance and the ‘tool kit’ required by a performing musician. You will carry out research to inform your developing practical skills, giving you an appreciation of contemporary theories and techniques.
The role of the modern musician requires an understanding of the technological aspects of recording and producing music. Advancements in technology mean that more and more musicians are recording their own music and ‘self-producing’.
In addition to this, the ability of musicians to effectively communicate thoughts and ideas about their work with sound engineers and producers can be an invaluable asset. Consequently, this module aims to develop your understanding of sound recording practices to aid you in your future career as a professional musician.
A large emphasis of the module is on practical recording techniques. You will also study the historical development of recording technology and its impact on musical styles as well as the wider influence on society and culture.
This module aims to equip you with knowledge and understanding of how changes in industry impact on consumer trends and working practices. In addition, the module focuses heavily on your development as an emerging professional. Consequently, there is a strong emphasis on you completing work for client(s) as part of your study in the module.
You will be required to carry out independent study into current industry trends, examining and evaluating how changes in technology have affected the creation and consumption of music and audio content. You will also be introduced to the pressures of working for clients through the completion of a live client brief.
The aim is for you to acquire practical experience of the skills and attributes needed for work and employment in industry.
What you'll study in year 2
This module follows on from your first year studies in composition and arrangement, this time focussing on composition for visual media. This subject area brings with it distinct challenges for a music composer. A composer for visual media must be able to work collaboratively, taking direction from others in the development of their work.
It is also important to understand the emotive impact music can have and how to write music that enhances the viewing experience. Therefore, you will explore the application of compositional tools for specific themes such as horror, romance, drama, sadness, suspense and comedy.
There is a strong emphasis on critical thinking and reflection in this module through the study of a wide range of commercial compositional work and analysis of your own work in this context.
Music plays an integral part of everyday life across a diverse range of cultures and societies. In many ways, music provides the touchstones of human experience. Music can transcend language and cultural barriers. It can have an effect on individual and social identity, politics, fashion and technology.
This module encourages you to examine the historical significance of music and musical performance and its impact on global cultures and societies. You will also study the fundamental aspects of the psychology of music and its effect on the human brain in terms of emotive response to music and sound.
There is a strong emphasis on research throughout this module and you will be required to spend time carrying out independent research activities to widen your understanding of the subject area. There will also be practical aspects of the module with guest workshops and lectures from industry professionals.
This module aims to further develop your performance techniques, enhancing your technical skills whilst broadening your contextual understanding of musical performance. You will continue to develop a technical mastery in your first instrument, through timetabled and self-directed rehearsal and performance schedules. Throughout this module you will perform individually and collaboratively, developing and working on your technique in both settings in order to develop your stage craft and hone your skills as a performer.
As well as a focus on traditional musicianship and solo / ensemble performance, you will also be exploring the integration of different technologies in performance. You will research the historical and contemporary use of technology in performance, and use this research to inform the integration of technology into your own work. You will investigate pioneering individuals in the integration of technology in performance, and acquire the technical know-how required to implement technology into a live performance.
The module also focusses on the knowledge and understanding required to effectively stage a live performance, including aspects such as health & safety legislation, project management, self-promotion and budgeting.
During this module you will undertake appropriate self-directed projects, working collaboratively on creative work, allowing you to directly apply the knowledge and skills learnt throughout the programme in the context of the workplace. This module aims to develop your overall professionalism and provide you with the knowledge and resources to begin a career in the creative industries.
The nature of creative industries is increasingly defined by freelance and self-employed models of work. Consequently, individuals seeking work in industry need to appreciate the pressures of working on multiple projects to strict deadlines and the subsequent demands this place on time and resources. Similarly, an understanding of professional practice and the legal and economic imperatives in industry is important, as is effective communication, self-efficacy and autonomy.
This module aims to develop these skills and knowledge by challenging you to develop a range of self-directed projects.
What you'll study in your final year
This module aims to further develop your knowledge of branding and marketing within the music industry. You will also be exploring your own brand identity by demonstrating the skills to critically analyse pre-conceived concepts and components that constitute your own brand.
Additionally, the module focusses on the knowledge, understanding and skills required to create and contribute to the realisation of a Development Plan for your own brand over a specified time period. This will then culminate in a final presentation which fully showcases the work of the brand during the period of development.
Consequently, there is a strong emphasis on you completing substantial personal or ensemble activity in areas such as design and presentation of principal artefacts; live performance to audiences; demonstrations/presentations; creation of multi-media material; interviews and discussion groups; marketing and promotion of your own brand including appropriate social media strategies.
Music professionals require expert understanding of theoretical and practical aspects of performance and production for employment in the music industry. Throughout this module you will apply and extend your knowledge of composition and performance techniques in creating music products and staging live productions. You will be encouraged to develop important critical listening and observational skills when working in a variety of performance and recording situations.
The module will focus predominantly on practical performance and recording in the rehearsal and recording studio environments, alongside opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills in a range of performance situations. Towards the end of the module you will take part in events and performances designed to market, publicise and support the product you are releasing.
The overarching aim is to equip you with a range of practical skills that are grounded in a historical, cultural and theoretical context.
This module builds on your previous experience and knowledge gained during Level 4 and 5. The module provides you with an opportunity to develop a research based portfolio of work, through self-initiated creative investigation.
The emphasis of this module is to create a dissertation based on your interests and personal study which is negotiated through consultations with tutors. It provides you with the opportunity to develop professional practical work while demonstrating sustained intellectual engagement with a specific form of creative investigation.
In this way the module gives you greater autonomy to define your career direction, produce industry level practical work and demonstrate your potential for professional practice.
The module will provide you with opportunities to demonstrate your ability to research, critically analyse, contextually formulate opinion and produce work on industry related topics.
As part of this investigation you will also enhance your abilities to communicate your findings with an audience and consolidate your skills in project management and self-directed work, both of which are vital for a career within the creative industries and wider world of work.
The module serves to acquaint you with the key skills and practices required to undertake and complete independent project research and to produce creative technological products in response.
As part of our London campus, we're creating a purpose-built multi-discipline events and production space with the versatility built-in to function as a 600-capacity live venue, or a virtual production studio complete with LED volume.
Similar to our Nottingham venue, Metronome, it's here where you'll gain valuable work experience and access world-class facilities.
Confetti Single
Each year we shine the spotlight on an artist or band, supporting them with the recording, release and promotion of the Confetti Single.
If you want to do more than just study a qualification, ‘Do It For Real’ at Confetti. This is our commitment to all our students to provide real, creative, hands-on experience in their chosen specialism whilst accessing the best facilities.
Guest speakers
Throughout the year, students are able to attend talks and events, and work on projects with visiting industry experts. Recently, one student had the opportunity to work on his single with Bring Me The Horizon’s Producer, Al Groves – a huge opportunity for the budding songwriter. Read the story here.
Industry Week
We also hold an annual Industry Week, where guest speakers and mentors from the music industry are invited in to talk to students. Our students have the opportunity to learn from people working in the industry right now, and can make invaluable contacts during this week.
Past Industry Week guests have included:
- Becky Hill - Brit award winning musician
- Michael Eavis - Glastonbury founder
- Kim Hawes – Tour Manager
- Tom Visconti - Worked with David Bowie
- Linda Perry - Lead singer from 4 Non Blondes, worked with Christina Aguilera, Robbie Williams, Pink, and Adele
- Piers Aggett - Rudimental
- Sister Bliss - Faithless
Check out our talks OnDemand here
Continue your education
Your time at Confetti doesn’t have to stop once you finish your undergraduate course. Choose to continue your studies on our postgraduate degrees that can help you further develop your skills and obtain the experience you need to get a head start in your career.
Your career
You’ll be ready to pursue a range of career paths within the industry, in positions such as a singer, songwriter, band member, session musician, record producer, teacher, music director, or composer.
Other roles our students go into include A&R, journalism, artist management, and music and sound supervisor for media products.