Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Music (Placement Year) (W301)

This Music BA degree has been designed to develop students' particular interests in music-making. It aims to equip students with a solid grounding in the craft of creativity which reflects the diversity of musical styles and genre in today’s world.

In the first year students will gain a strong understanding of composition, performance and musicology. Students will also be introduced to sonic arts and sound recording. Their peer group of musicians will discuss, review and give them constructive feedback on their musical activities.

Students can choose from a range of optional modules in their second year and final year. This means students develop their own bespoke pathway during their music course, and this prepares students for their chosen career in the music world. Examples of specialist options students could choose include orchestration and arrangement, and taking sonic art to the stage, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Students will be taught by some of the leading figures in today’s contemporary music comprising composers, performers and musicologists. They are performing, composing and writing books, and have strong connections with the music community in London, the UK and in Europe. This opens up opportunities for students to collaborate with them and work together on installation projects and a huge variety of creative projects.

Brunel's music facilities include a fully sound-proofed recording studio for rehearsals, and performance spaces and practice rooms equipped with grand pianos, drum kits and amps. Access is available to an editing suite with Mac computer workstations where students work on their music using industry standard music making software.

During their time at Brunel, students will benefit from guest lectures delivered by leading figures in the music industry who give advice on music promotion and how to get a gig. In addition, students will have the advantage of Brunel’s close location to London’s exciting music scene for planned trips to music concerts, festivals, galleries, and museums.

This music undergraduate degree can be studied full-time over three years, four years with a placement year.

Brunel encourages students to purse the placement year option. This time in the music industry helps students to further prepare for the world of work and they will have a year’s worth of invaluable professional experience when they graduate. If they decide to go on a music work placement year, they could find themselves working at record companies, TV companies, or teaching music in a school.

Students will have the opportunity to showcase their musical talent before they graduate alongside external musicians. There are a variety of performances hosted by Brunel including concerts, recitals and ensembles where students will be able to network and gain feedback on their creativity from the visiting music artists.