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At Plymouth, your degree really is what you make it. Choose to study optional modules from music and theatre subjects.
In your second year...
Choose to swap in up to two modules from across music and theatre.
In your final year...
Dive deeper into your subject by sticking with our selection of options or swap in another module from across music and theatre.
Achieve your final degree certificate
If you've studied three optional modules from the same second subject area, you can choose to add this to your degree certificate.
Music Theory (MUS4002)
This module solidifies students’ understanding of music theory concepts and explores its practical applications.
Exploring Ethnomusicology (MUS4003)
This module introduces students to ethnomusicology and the study of music in culture. They will explore key theoretical concepts and be introduced to research methods. The module includes lectures, seminars and workshops that explore the topic from a theoretical and practical perspective.
Illustrating Music History (MUS4004)
This semester-long twenty-credit module allows students to gain an overview of the history of Western music. The module provides a narrative of Western music from medieval times to the 20th century, while also discussing genres, forms and idioms. This module introduces students to musical analysis and how it intertwines with the historical study of music.
Composition (MUS4005)
This module generates an overview of a variety of compositional forms and starting points for creating music. Through a combination of taught sessions, workshop sessions and autonomous student creative activity, these ideas are explored in a hands-on fashion, laying a foundational facility with some compositional strategies, devices and practices.
Audio Engineering (MUS4006)
This module introduces students to the fundamental skills and techniques they need to become an effective audio engineer. Students will learn how to relate subjective and objective measures of sound to inform their practice. Taught sessions will explore topics such as psychoacoustics, small room acoustics, digital and analogue recording consoles, signal flow, microphone concepts and positioning, and advanced use of professional software platforms. This module will include 2, 2 hour talks that introduce our School and programme level employability related opportunities and support, including details of the optional placement year.
Performance 1: Introduction to Performance (MUS4007)
This module introduces learners to performance practices and the theory behind their instrumental and vocal practice. Students will develop musicianship skills and their practice as solo performers. The teaching will combine individual tuition with specialised tutors and a series of lectures and workshops.
School of Society and Culture Placement Year (SSC600)
Students have the opportunity to gain work experience that will set them apart in the job market when they graduate by undertaking an optional flexible placement year. The placement must be a minimum of 24-weeks (which can be split between a maximum of two different placement providers) and up to a maximum of 48-weeks over the course of the academic year. The placement is flexible and can be undertaken virtually, part or full time and either paid or voluntary. This year allows them to apply and hone the knowledge and skills acquired from the previous years of their programme in the real world.
Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.
The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
Acting for Audio: Radio, Podcast, Voiceover (ACT5002MX)
This module trains students to work professionally in mediatised/recorded settings. Students learn techniques appropriate to the preparation and performance of non-theatrical formats (such as audio drama) through text-based analysis, narrative and dramatic theory and genre-specific acting techniques.
Site Specific Performance (PER5003MX)
Outdoor, off-campus, real-world performance-making informed by research-led seminar-based explorations of an exciting and diverse range of performative case studies and influential theories. This module gives students the opportunity to study independently and work together to open up for themselves a whole new way of seeing the world as a site for theatre.
Auditions and Showreels (ACT6002MX)
Focused on employment in the theatre industry after graduation, this module is all about auditioning practices and techniques, self-taping, casting calls, character break-downs, working with your ‘pages’ and pulling together your showreel.
Play and Games for Performance (PER5008MX)
This module will introduce students to practical methods for designing games and play structures for participatory performances that invite audiences to become actively involved in the work. In addition to learning new tools for designing and facilitating play, students will be prompted to consider playfulness from a theoretical perspective, recognising the connection between the play of mimesis and theatrical performance.
Site Specific Performance (PER5003MX)
Outdoor, off-campus, real-world performance-making informed by research-led seminar-based explorations of an exciting and diverse range of performative case studies and influential theories. This module gives students the opportunity to study independently and work together to open up for themselves a whole new way of seeing the world as a site for theatre.
Applied Drama (PER6002MX)
This module offers students access to community-based professionals and work-based experiences with a meaningful employability focus. Through seminars and independent practice students learn the skills to work with and for community groups, using performance-making as a means to address real-world problems and social issues.
Physical Computing: Creative and Interactive Systems (AMT5006MX)
Physical computing is all about designing and creating objects that use a range of sensors, actuators, and software to interact with the world around them. Students will learn to develop their own systems using programming environments, electronic components, and microcontroller boards. Most of the module will be organised around practical, hands-on design-and-build exercises.
Programming in Python (AMT5005MX)
This module introduces computer programming in the python language. Learners will gain experience in the core theory and practice of computer programming and will learn core programming concepts from the ground up. Sessions will equip students with program implementation methodologies along with design and problem-solving techniques.
Data Science Ethics (AMT6004MX)
This module introduces allows student a hands-on experience in data science and the ethical considerations associated with our digital footprint. Learners will gain experience in writing code to clean, analyse and interrogate large dataset, understanding what meanings can be revealed from these datasets. Students will also investigate the ethical implications, assumptions and biases that are present in these techniques.
Play and Games for Performance (PER5008MX)
This module will introduce students to practical methods for designing games and play structures for participatory performances that invite audiences to become actively involved in the work. In addition to learning new tools for designing and facilitating play, students will be prompted to consider playfulness from a theoretical perspective, recognising the connection between the play of mimesis and theatrical performance.
Psychology of Music (MUS5003MX)
This module introduces students to concepts in psychoacoustics, psychology and music therapy within a musical context. Students will critically engage with related topics through a series of lectures and workshops, which place theory within musical and creative practice.
Recording Sound and Music (MUS5006MX)
Students will learn how to combine their technical recording abilities with their creative skills in music production. They will be introduced to a variety of recording contexts from a practical and theoretical perspective.
Choreography Repertory (MTH6004MX)
Students learn, rehearse and perform dance repertory to a high standard. To support students’ ability to execute the choreography effectively a continued engagement with dance technique and its relationship to creative and performance skills is incorporated. Students will gain an understanding of their role as a contributing interpreter of this repertory and how to make this work their own.
Applied Dance (DAN6001MX)
This module offers students access to community-based professionals and work-based experiences with a meaningful employability focus. Through co-taught seminars and independent practice students learn the skills to work with and for community groups, applying community dance practice and performance-making as a means to address real-world problems and social issues.
Dance Technique (DAN5001MX)
Students will develop their technical dance skills and ability to apply a range of dynamic qualities and spatial properties in performance. The module will develop students’ understanding of dance as a cultural discourse and foster awareness and appreciation of other cultural dance forms. Students will engage with workshop participation and leading skills, as well as learning how to give, receive and use critical feedback.
Dancing for Camera (DAN5002MX)
Taught by experienced practitioners, students learn to compose and perform dance for camera and to develop and edit material to produce high quality ‘screendance’. Screendance as a hybrid and interdisciplinary form will enable students to develop new ways to innovate and create choreography in the site-specificity of media space.
Acting through Song (MTH5001MX)
Acting through song involves ‘telling the story’ and ‘selling the story’, as well as performance skills in characterisation and specific vocal expertise. Working from a range of scores and lyrics, students experiment with different approach to acting through song in a supportive salon environment, with tutor and peer feedback throughout.
Applied Dance (DAN6001MX)
This module offers students access to community-based professionals and work-based experiences with a meaningful employability focus. Through co-taught seminars and independent practice students learn the skills to work with and for community groups, applying community dance practice and performance-making as a means to address real-world problems and social issues.
Dance Technique (DAN5001MX)
Students will develop their technical dance skills and ability to apply a range of dynamic qualities and spatial properties in performance. The module will develop students’ understanding of dance as a cultural discourse and foster awareness and appreciation of other cultural dance forms. Students will engage with workshop participation and leading skills, as well as learning how to give, receive and use critical feedback.
Dancing for Camera (DAN5002MX)
Taught by experienced practitioners, students learn to compose and perform dance for camera and to develop and edit material to produce high quality ‘screendance’. Screendance as a hybrid and interdisciplinary form will enable students to develop new ways to innovate and create choreography in the site-specificity of media space.
UCAS tariff
104
Student | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 |
---|---|---|
Home | £9,250 | £9,250 |
International | £16,300 | £17,100 |
Part time (Home) | £770 | £770 |
To reward outstanding achievement the University of Plymouth offers scholarship schemes to help towards funding your studies.
Students will learn the skills necessary to facilitate music in community settings through placements, where they will work alongside music professionals. By working with groups such as children, disabled people, refugees and dementia patients, students gain real-life experience in music.
“The course made me realise that there is a lot more to music than performance, theory and composition.”
Stay ahead with a course designed in consultation with working musicians to ensure you leave ready for the rapidly changing music environment
Develop as a well-rounded musician
" ... it gives a lot of room for individual expression, it also introduces you to many new, diverse ideas" Anandi Sala Casanova
Becoming a music therapist
"I was given the opportunity to visit places where music therapy takes place and ask practising therapists many, many questions about the profession"
Pursue a variety of careers
Let your creativity flourish and develop the skills that will help you forge an interesting, fulfilling career path
“My internship has been eye opening and just a brilliant experience. Even if you don’t have a full interest in doing studio work, I just feel like as musicians the people who work there have so much knowledge about the music industry. I don't think I would have learned as much as I did choosing any other internship, because they all have their own skills that they bring to the table and they're so ready to share it all with you."
As part of the professional development programme, I have been teaching singing and piano lessons at Tor Bridge Secondary School. These lessons are one to one and have helped me to gain confidence in my teaching ability, by seeing the progress made in the students and the enjoyment they get from the lessons.
I taught drums at Sir John Hunt Community Sports College for three months and in this time, I saw exceptional progress in the students. Seeing a concept 'click' for the first time with a student provided a me with sense of satisfaction that made me appreciate drumming to a greater level.
3Orchestra
3West African Drumming
Cutting-edge research in topics including the interface between music, computers, and the brain within a vibrant contemporary music community.
The Junior Academy provides instrumental music lessons and theory tuition from the most experienced teachers in the South West of England.