Welcome to the University of Northampton.BA (Hons) Popular Music

Mark Thursby –Programme leader

for Music.

Composer and producer of EDM. Mixing and studio engineering. Music theory and science

of music.

Guitarist and drummer.

Research in Philosophy and

mind/brain.

Dr. Jasmine Shadrack – Senior Lecturer in Music.

Research in Feminism,

psychoanalysis, trauma and

herstory, music and performativity.

Guitarist/front woman of a black

metal band. She sits on the board for Academic Charts Online, and is a

member of International Society

for Metal Music Studies.

Stace Constantinou PhD – Senior

Lecturer in Music.

Producer, pianist and composer.

Influenced by music of the Western

lineage from ancient through to classical and contemporary

times.

Has produced for BBC and Resonance FM, and has written

for Routledge.

Academic staff introduction.

Tony Platt – Producer & Engineer.

World class expertise.

Produced AC/DC, Bob Marley, Iron Maiden,

Motorhead, Gary Moore, The Cult, etc.

Yoshe Watson –Lecturer in Music.

early career academic specialising in

performance, socio-musicology,

subcultural theory, and music on the

Internet.

Radio: presenting on BBC Introducing and

Radio 1.

Outside of the day job, Yoshe performs with new trip hop /

electronica band Cassini Circles.

BA (Hons) Popular Music

Why study at Northampton?

• Instrument tuition in year one included in course fees (single honours)

• Taught by industry professionals (i.e. we all have music releases and / or published research)

• Accredited by the UK Music Academic Partnership (MAP)

• Combination of composition, performance and music production to give a complete view of the Music industry

• Innovative and exciting performances in a variety of venues

• Dedicated record label

• Opportunities to have work professionally mixed and mastered for release

• Philosophical analysis of culture and critical thinking skills

• Specialised extra-curricular masterclasses for music production, Choir and instrumental/Jazz performance

BA (Hons) Popular Music

Why study at Northampton?

☯ To understand music production and studio engineering

☯ To get better at [insert instrument]

☯ To improve your reasoning / writing / academic prowess

☯ To LEARN new stuff

☯ You will be taught how your own brain works, and how to learn effectively

Popular Music course overview.

• Small group lectures

• Active Blended Learning

• Seminars

• Tutorials

• Online tutorials

• Workshops

• Independent and group study

• One-to-one supervisions

Entry criteria.

• A typical offer is around (112 UCAS points)

• We may also accept Foundation diplomas or equivalent

• The Foundation Study Framework could be an option for you if you do not meet the tariff points required for, or if you are making a significant change in terms of the subject you would like to study.

• Age combined with professional experience may also be considered

Teaching style

Core modules

• Digital Audio Workstation 1 (Logic Pro X, Ableton 10, Native Instruments Komplete)

• Popular Music Studies 1 (genre, history, politics, gender, class, copyright, etc.)

• Performance 1 (high standards of performance and musicianship, gigs, opportunities)

• The Recording Studio (Pro Tools, Audient Console, mixing, microphones, critical listening)

• Cultural Theory 1 (philosophy, ideology, debate, reasoning, writing)

• Composition and Theory 1 (scales, harmony, rhythm, modes, notation, song writing)

Stage one.

Core modules

• Digital Audio Workstation 2 (synthesis, sampling, sound design)

• How Music Works (psychoacoustics, live sound, acoustics, harmonic series)

• Performance 2 (more advanced songbook, repertoire of songs, gigs)

• The Creative Practitioner (Freelance work, self-employment, work experience)

• Performance with Technology (Ableton Live and Push, live implementation of technology)

• Composition and Theory 2 (advanced harmony, genre, rhythm, melody etc.)

• Cultural Theory 2 (philosophy, ideology, debate, reasoning, writing)

Stage Two.

Stage Three.

Core modules (choose your pathway)

• Professional Project (open project – make an EP, organise events…)

• Popular Music Dissertation (10 000 words of academic research)

Then choose 4 from the below:

• Pop and the State (Politics, protest, copyright, internet)

• The Philosophy of Music (philosophy, aesthetics, meaning, value, debate)

• Music and Sound Design for Media (sound design for gaming, movies, media; Foley)

• Performance 3 (definitive repertoire, performance, professional bands)

• Advanced Recording and Production (professional recording skills)

• Music Education (teaching, learning, brain, work experience)

Integrated Foundation Year

10.

The Integrated Foundation Year at the University of Northampton is an opportunity for you to successfully study a four-year version of the three-year degree without the standard entry qualifications, whilst gaining critical study skills.

We also offer a third year top-up option for those who have completed an HND in Music (or equivalent).

Top up.

Joint honours.

For 2020 entry can be taken with:

A B C D

Advertising Education Studies Business Accounting

Economics English Drama Business Entrepreneurship

History Law Education Studies Criminology

Popular Music Marketing Management Events Management Human Geography

Psychology Creative Film, Television and Digital Media

Production

Film and Screen Studies (21-22)

Human Resource Management

International Tourism Management

Sport Studies Health Studies International Politics

International Development Management Multimedia Journalism

Sociology Applied Social Care

Teacher / Lecturer

Freelancer, entrepreneur

Music Journalism

Sound Designer YouTuber / Online

Composer / Arranger

Working Musician

Live Sound Engineer Music ProducerGaming / Media

Sound

Film / TV / Ads

Popular Music Careers.

Writer, academic, critic

Studio recording engineer

Music Therapy

14.

Learning & Teaching at Waterside.

➢You will study in small interactive group sessions, enhanced by the latest developments in technology.

➢Our Learning Hub, the heart of Waterside Campus combines resources, staff and learning spaces that would traditionally be separate.

➢Waterside has been designed to give you a personalised learning experience, excellent opportunities to develop your academic experience and life skills.

* Valid for 2021/22 entry. For 2020/21 academic year, please refer to our website for the latest information: https://www.northampton.ac.uk/about-us/situation-updates/

Personal Tutor.

• You will be allocated a personal tutor at the start of the year

• They are there to help you with every aspect of university life

• They’ll be in touch at various points in the academic year

• You can arrange to meet them at any time

Money Matters.

• A range of scholarships and bursaries to support you

• Financial Guidance Team on hand to help you with any money queries from student loans to financial hardship, and budgeting to loans

Accommodation.

• Halls of Residence on campus, in the town centre and BoughtonGreen Road

• Private Sector Officer to give advice and guidance if you’re looking to go into private sector accommodation

Health.

• Doctor’s surgery on campus

• Counselling and Mental Health Team

• Additional Needs and Disability Support (ASSIST)

• Residential Life Team are there to support and advise students living in halls

Support.

We are here for you.

Thank you.Any questions?