Music Performance - Access Creative, Norwich FdA
- Level(s) of Study: Foundation degree
- Typical Offer: 64 UCAS tariff points
- UCAS Code(s): W313
- Start Date(s): September
- Duration: Two years, full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Access Creatives Norwich
Introduction:
Take your music to the next level! If you want to gain the musicianship and business skills to work as a professional musician or vocalist, then this foundation degree is for you!
This course is taught at Access Creatives in Norwich.
Key features
- Engage with a variety of composition, arrangement and performance projects, working individually and collaboratively. Explore new creative avenues when learning how to compose music for visual media, while continuing to develop as a songwriter and performer.
- Develop musicianship including sight reading, listening skills and improvisation. Perform in a variety of situations, both solo and in groups, and learn how to effectively integrate technology into your performances.
- Work in recording studios with other musicians, sound engineers and producers. Understand the development of recording technology, its impact on music and how you can use it to get the best out of your compositions.
- Assess all the options and routes available to you in the industry. Work on commissions from clients and on self-directed projects as you develop your industry practice.
What you’ll study
Choosing this Music Performance foundation degree FdA is a great way to break into the creative industries.
The creative sector is one of the fastest growing areas of the UK economy and a great and exciting place in which to work.
This foundation degree can lead onto:
- A top-up one year course leading to a full BA degree and then on to a Masters if you wish.
- Employment, or self-employment, in the creative industries. This may be as a freelance musician, or it may be into another area of the music or creative industries.
- A creative higher apprenticeship as a stepping stone to work.
Composition & arrangement (40 credits)
Here you will develop your understanding of composition and music arrangement. You’ll be given grounding in music theory, arrangement techniques and composition, while developing hands-on skills in music production software. During this module you’ll study different approaches to composing. You’ll 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 musician.
Performance techniques (40 credits)
This module aims to develop your performance techniques, focusing on several key areas. You’ll develop technical competence in playing an instrument through studying contemporary performance techniques, developing skills in sight reading, as well as listening skills and improvisation. You’ll 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. This module also deals with the various technical demands of the performing musician, including instrument maintenance. You’ll carry out research to inform your developing practical skills, giving you an appreciation of contemporary theories and techniques.
Recording studio practice (20 credits)
New technologies are enabling more musicians to record their own music and self-produce. However, the ability of musicians to effectively communicate thoughts and ideas about their work with sound engineers and producers is still an invaluable asset. You’ll develop your understanding of sound recording practices to aid you in your future career as a professional musician. You’ll also study the historical development of recording technology and its impact on musical styles, as well as the wider influence on society and culture.
The music industry (20 credits)
You’ll develop knowledge and understanding of how changes in industry impact on consumer trends and working practices. The module focuses heavily on your development as an emerging professional, so there’ll be a strong emphasis on completing work for clients as part of your study. You’ll 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 employment in the industry.
Music, technology & performance (60 credits)
You’ll develop your performance techniques, enhancing your technical skills, while broadening your contextual understanding of musical performance. You’ll continue to develop a technical mastery in your first instrument – performing individually and collaboratively to develop your stage craft and hone your skills as a performer. As well as a focus on traditional musicianship, you’ll also explore the integration of different technologies in performance. You’ll research the historical and contemporary use of technology in performance and use this research to inform the integration of technology into your own work.
Composing music for visual media (20 credits)
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. You’ll 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 through the study of a wide range of commercial compositional work and analysis of your own work.
Contextual studies in music (20 credits)
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 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.
Industry practice (20 credits)
You’ll 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.
How you’re assessed
Assessment is 100% through coursework. You will receive feedback throughout.
Forms of assessment include:
- practical tests
- written research
- technical papers
- presentations
- independently led coursework
- projects.
To progress through the course you must achieve 120 credit points each year. Your final degree mark will be based 100% on your final year work.
Careers and employability
Each case will be considered individually, but upon completion you could join the 3rd year of our BA (Hons) Music Performance to gain a full BA qualification.
The music industry offers a broad range of career prospects for graduates. Students studying the FdA Music Performance will study subject areas that will help prepare them for the diverse nature of the industry.
You will also study the wider context of their industry, investigating working practices, legal frameworks, business models and career opportunities. In addition, the course also aims to develop your cognition, autonomy and research skills, enabling you to continue in further academic study at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Work placement and internship opportunities
Being at Access is so much more than just doing a course. You will have the chance to get first-hand experience of the music and creative industries.
Here are some of the opportunities you can take advantage of:
- Events: You’ll have unique opportunities to showcase your work. These range from a local gig to the chance to perform on a festival stage at events such as Latitude organised by partner, Festival Republic.
- Music Glue: Music Glue is a global direct-to-fan platform used by 26,000 artists worldwide to sell tickets, merchandise, music and more direct to their audience from one customisable website.
- Distribeat: A partnership with worldwide distribution company, Distribeat, which allows you to market your music through all major online stores including iTunes.
- Masterclasses: Access promotes industry masterclasses by artists represented by Tri-Tone and 7pm Management. These enable you to gain advice and guidance from working musicians and producers.
- Twine: All our students get free Twine membership, which is an online platform allowing creative people to collaborate on projects and earn money!
- Focusrite: Access is proud of its partnership with Focusrite. You will have the chance to get your hands on over £500 of FREE Focusrite audio plug-ins, supported by special Focusrite workshops.
Campus and facilities
If you want to study a music degree in Norwich, then Access Creative is the only place to do it. The city is a hive for young creatives and music is very much alive with a huge amount of record shops and events, including two major festivals. If you’re after a beautiful historic city which is very much living today, then Norwich is the place for you.
Plug Studios
Plug Studios is situated a few minutes walk from the college and offers thirteen air-conditioned fully-equipped rehearsal rooms as well as a 24-track digital studio. The facilities are used by Music Performance degree students for instrumental development, songwriting, rehearsal and recording.
Entry requirements
- 64 UCAS Tariff points; and
- GCSE - English and Maths Grade C / 4
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
You will also need to have a Voice or Instrument Grade 5 (ABRSM, RSL, Trinity or equivalent)
We very much welcome self-taught applicants who do not have the formal entry requirements, but we need to know you're at the right level to support your ambition. 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. Once we get that, and we make sure this is the perfect fit for you, we'll send you an offer!
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
This course is not suitable for International applicants.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
This course is not suitable for International applicants.
How to apply
Application for this course is through the UCAS application form.
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form.
Application deadline
This course starts in September and applications should be submitted by the UCAS deadline, 15 January.
Applications received after this date will only be considered if places are still available, after all applications received by the deadline have been assessed.
Mature students
We welcome applications from mature students (over the age of 21) for this course. We will assess applicants of this nature on an individual basis.
If you are a mature student, you will still need to apply to us by UCAS form, but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades,
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It's your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You've got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you're applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
This course is not suitable for tier 4 visa applicants.
We accept qualifications from schools, colleges and universities all over the world for entry onto our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. If you’re not sure how your international qualification matches our course requirements please visit our international qualifications page.
English language entry requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to show us that your language skills are strong enough for intensive academic study. We usually ask for an IELTS test and we accept some alternative English language tests.
- For a list of our language, requirements please visit our English language page.
- If you need to do a pre-sessional English language course to meet the English requirements, please visit our pre-sessional English course page.
Help and support
If you have any questions about your qualifications or about making an application to the University please contact our International Team for advice.