Course overview

Our Popular Music degree is an exciting and innovative course that investigates popular music through a focus on performance, music technology and production, and 'world' musics. You will explore the history, genres and cultures of popular music and acquire practical experience of current techniques in live and studio production. Our 'hands-on' learning is supported by contextual studies relating to the industrial, aesthetic and cultural frameworks of contemporary popular music. If you are a talented pop musician seeking to develop creative skills in composition, performance and music technology, then our degree is for you.

We value 'learning by doing' and an important feature of our course is the performance of student work in public venues, both in Cambridge and further afield. We provide opportunities to experience, at first hand, examples from the range of music studied throughout the course. The vibrant student atmosphere and rich cultural environment of Cambridge includes premier gig venues such as The Junction, with whom we have longstanding, and extremely productive, links.

Performance activities lie at the heart of our Popular Music course and our department organises an extensive and varied programme of events to complement your academic studies. A team of visiting specialists of national and international repute provide individual instrumental and vocal tuition throughout the course, and visiting performers, composers and academics provide additional workshops, masterclasses and lectures.

Much of our course is taught using our department's rehearsal facilities, teaching rooms, and extensive suite of computer music studios, which include workstation laboratories, digital production and editing studios, and recording facilities. There are also online resources, and a range of media support facilities.

Additional course information

Individual instrumental and vocal tuition is included within our course if you are enrolled on performance modules. These are delivered by a large team of visiting tutors of international reputation.

Module guide

Assessment

Assessment is carried out via a very broad mix of methods including: essays, creative projects, aural examinations, presentations, public performances, portfolios and a Major Project, which may include creative work.

Assessment is also used as a learning tool, and you will gain the ability to improvise, sight-read and generally 'think on your feet', whilst also developing skills in reflective preparation, drafting and revision of work. All students are encouraged to use self-help packages, particularly for aural training, and to undertake an extensive listening programme. We also affirm the view that music provides a most effective and flexible discipline within which transferable interpersonal skills can be developed. To support learning and assessment a range of module resources is available online, enabling the access of course materials off-campus.

Facilities

Located in purpose-built accommodation, the Anglia Ruskin Music Centre includes lecture and practice rooms, a recital hall, plus the Mumford Theatre, a full-size receiving house for professional touring companies. There is also a group of five, state-of-the-art computer music studios for the creation, recording and manipulation of acoustic, and electronically produced sound. The studios house a range of technological equipment, including a wide selection of specialist computer hardware and software. All computers have full internet and intranet access and are supported by extensive online facilities and resources.

In terms of instruments, you have access to five grand pianos, including a new Steinway Model D, four drum kits, amplification, two harpsichords, a range of orchestral instruments including alto flutes, two cors anglais, an oboe d'amore, Eb, alto and bass clarinets, a contrabassoon and a bass saxophone and a selection of baroque and Renaissance instruments including a consort of crumhorns, cornetts and natural trumpets and a consort of recorders. Our department also has a range of traditional instruments from India (including two sitars), China (including a Chinese zither), and Africa (including a set of Ghanaian drums).

Libraries

Our campus libraries offer a wide range of publications and a variety of study facilities, including open-access computers, areas for quiet or group study and bookable rooms. We also have an extensive Digital Library providing on and off-site access to e-books, e-journals and databases.

We endeavour to make our libraries as accessible as possible for all our students. During Semester time, they open 24 hours a day from Monday to Thursday, until midnight on Friday and Saturday and for 12 hours on Sunday.


IT Resources

Our open access computer facilities provide free access to the internet, email, messaging services and the full Microsoft Office suite. A high speed wireless service is also available in all key areas on campus. If you are away from campus or a distant learner, our student desktop and its many applications can be accessed remotely using the internet. Your personal student email account provides free document storage, calendar facilities and social networking opportunities.

Throughout your studies you will have access to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), providing course notes, reading materials and multi-media content to support your learning, while our e-vision system gives you instant access to your academic record and your timetable.

Study abroad options

Our department promotes staff and student exchange programmes with Lebanon Valley College, Pennsylvania, USA and Ionian University, Corfu. Performing ensembles and study groups frequently undertake tours of Europe and beyond. In recent years performing groups have visited Italy, Austria, Eastern Europe, Australasia and Cyprus.

Special features

Our popular music degree offers a distinctive, and creative integration of practice and theory, as well as vocational experience. Teaching is provided by first-class, research-active staff who are recognised, nationally and internationally, as experts in their field and who are often professional practitioners.

Individual instrumental and vocal tuition is included within the course for students enrolled on Performance modules, delivered by a large team of visiting tutors of international reputation. Anglia Ruskin music provision was rated 'Excellent' by the Government's Teaching Quality Assessment exercise.

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, set up to monitor the quality of research in UK universities, 80% of our department's work was judged to be of international standard, with 20% judged to be either 'internationally excellent' or 'world leading'.

Related Links

Digital Performance Laboratory inaugural residency and concert
Music and Performing Arts Band Showcase success
Terra Nova concerto breaks new ground

Course Leader

Dr Sue Miller

Links with industry and professional recognition

We have fostered close links with a range of industry partners, including The Junction, an arts venue in Cambridge, where you can see a variety of theatre and music performance works, Hazard Chase, one of the leading international music management companies, and the Britten Sinfonia, one of Europe's most celebrated and innovative chamber orchestras. A range of visiting artists and performers are regularly invited to give masterclasses and workshops across our courses.

Work placements

Work placement opportunities are available via Graduate Skills, Recording Techniques, Studio Project and Live Music Event Management, which encompass such areas as music education, instrumental teaching, artist management, marketing, recording and studio work, composition and events management.

Associated careers

Research shows that the study of the creative and performing arts to an enhanced level provides the ideal training for any position requiring quick thinking, self-reliance, imagination, teamwork and the ability to organise both yourself and others. The degree combines academic and vocational approaches to popular music. It is widely recognised that the varied disciplines of popular music -analysis, performance, composition, ensemble work, presentation - as well as its opportunities for nurturing artistic expression, provide a strong platform of employable skills. You will be equipped with the knowledge, and practical experience, demanded by a range of roles within the music business and related media industries. The emphasis on versatility that our popular music degree fosters makes our graduates extremely attractive to employers, and many currently enjoy highly successful careers as performers, composers, technologists, music teachers and arts administrators.

UCAS Tariff points:	220 - 260
Additional Requirements:	Required subject(s): A-level Popular Music, Music, Music Technology or related subject at grade B Non-Academic Conditions: Audition/workshop

Entry requirements listed are for September 2013 entry. Entry requirements for other intakes may differ.

Non-Academic Conditions: Entry will normally also be subject to an audition. We consider each application individually and an offer in the range of 220-260 will be made according to a number of criteria including predicted grades and relevant experience.

Please note AS levels are acceptable only when combined with other qualifications.

International Applicants only

If you are an international applicant and are unable to attend an audition/workshop you will be required to submit a portfolio. We encourage you to host your portfolio online and provide us with the URL or submit in pdf format by email attached. CD or hardcopy formats submitted by post to our International Admissions Office are also acceptable but please note that these will not be returned to applicants.

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

Portfolio Requirements

We would normally expect your portfolio should include the following with recordings of 10-15 minute duration:

Evidence of performances/recordings (either by video or CD) on their primary instrument
Evidence of compositions (scores or recordings)

International applicants

International applicants are encouraged to host their portfolios online and provide us with the URL or submit in pdf format by email attached. CD or hardcopy formats submitted by post to our International Admissions Office are also acceptable but please note that these will not be returned to applicants.

Portfolios should contain 10-15 minutes of a varied music that best represents the applicant?s performance abilities.

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

We welcome applications from International and EU students. Please select one of the links below for English language and country-specific entry requirement information.

• International students
• EU students
• English language requirements

If we have confirmed you do not meet our entry requirements you might want to consider a preparatory course at Cambridge Ruskin International College (CRIC), our partner college, based on our Cambridge campus, before coming to study with us.