Undergraduate course
Our typical offer
HJoin this course from September 2026
I chose Plymouth because the course seemed very open minded, full of opportunities and perfect for self-discovery and further exploration within the world of music. This course offers a freedom of self-exploration within a diverse, nurturing environment which both worked on the students' strengths and also introduced new, mind-opening concepts within music.
MUS4002
Music Theory
20 credits
This module solidifies students’ understanding of music theory concepts and explores its practical applications.
75% Coursework
25% Tests
MUS4003
Exploring Ethnomusicology
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
MUS4004
Illustrating Music History
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
MUS4005
Composition
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
MUS4006
Audio Engineering
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
MUS4007
Performance 1: Introduction to Performance
20 credits
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.
75% Practicals
25% Coursework
MUS5001
Twentieth Century Music
20 credits
Students will develop an understanding of the key strands of twentieth century music history (Classical, electroacoustic, popular). The impact of contextual and historical factors on musical developments will be explored, and important styles, composers/artists, and musical features will be examined. Students will continue to develop their analytical skills.
80% Coursework
20% Practicals
MUS5002
Songwriting
20 credits
Students will explore songwriting from a contextual and practical perspective, equipping them with the skills to write songs in a variety of genres. Lectures and tutorials will encourage students’ understanding of songwriting through listening, writing and reflection.
100% Coursework
MUS5004
Independent Study
20 credits
This module allows students to further develop their musical understanding in an area of their own choice. Students will be encouraged to negotiate a programme of study and assessment mode related to a musical topic of interest. There is scope in this module for students to put an emphasis on practical and/or theoretical engagement with the chosen topic.
100% Coursework
MUS5005
Performance 2: Ensemble Performance
20 credits
This module continues to develop the students’ instrumental or vocal practice through specialised tuition. Students will gain an understanding for theoretical and practical issues pertaining to ensemble performance. They will explore the conventions and practices of ensemble performance in a variety of genres and contexts through lectures and workshops.
75% Practicals
25% Coursework
MUS5003MX
Psychology of Music
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
MUS5006MX
Recording Sound and Music
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
SSC601
School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Placement Year
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. Students will have the option to undertake their placement year abroad. This year allows them to apply and hone the knowledge and skills acquired from the previous years of their programme in the real world.
MUS6001
Negotiated Dissertation Project
40 credits
This module provides a structured learning environment in which to build on personal subject specific specialisms, culminating in either a practice-based portfolio with a substantial critical underpinning or a written dissertation.
100% Coursework
MUS6003MX
Music in the Community
This module will introduce students to practical applications of music to encourage and expand their understanding of the ‘real-life’ uses of musical skills. A series of lectures will cover the concepts and skills required to carry out music work, before students apply these in practical situations.
MUS6004
Electroacoustic and Electronic Music
20 credits
This module will introduce students to the history and repertoire of electroacoustic and electronic music. They will acquire the compositional skills to create music in these genres through practical workshops. The module will encourage students to combine their critical and creative skills to produce pieces in their chosen genre.
100% Coursework
MUS6006
Sound and Vision
20 credits
This module explores the creation of sound and music for moving image. It investigates historical and contemporary theories and models of interaction between music, sound, action and image, drawing a range of media genres. Participants will explore their own responses to the challenges of creating music for images and live action through practical workshops and individual coursework.
100% Coursework
PER6004
Festival Practices
20 credits
This module will support students’ entry into the wide field of the creative industries through the planning and development of a professional quality performance product, commensurate to professional practice. Working solo or in small companies, students will engage with mentoring and feedback processes and locate their practice within the context of the contemporary performance practice and Festival platforms.
100% Practicals
MUS6005
Performance 3: Performance Identity
20 credits
This module aims to develop students into professional performers with a defined musical identity. Students will continue to receive specialised tuition. Lectures with invited speakers and workshops will encourage them to think holistically about their identity as a performer, and design their performance accordingly.
100% Practicals
Learn the necessary skills to facilitate music in community settings through placements, working alongside experienced music professionals. By engaging with groups such as children, disabled people, refugees and dementia patients, you will gain real-life experience in using music to make a meaningful impact.
ACT5002MX
Acting for Audio: Radio, Podcast, Voiceover
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
PER5003MX
Site Specific Performance
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.
ACT6002MX
Auditions and Showreels
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
PER5008MX
Play and Games for Performance
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
PER5003MX
Site Specific Performance
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.
PER6002MX
Applied Drama
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.
AMT5006MX
Physical Computing: Creative and Interactive Systems
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
AMT6004MX
Data Science Ethics
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
DAN5001MX
Dance Technique
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.
MTH6004MX
Choreography Repertory
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.
DAN6001MX
Applied Dance
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.
DAN5001MX
Dance Technique
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.
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.
This course was refreshing and relevant for the modern musician: it focuses on developing a multitude of aspects as a musician, introduces you to new, exciting avenues in music such as ethnomusicology, music psychology, and music technology, and aims and succeeds in developing its students as well-rounded musicians. The staff are passionate about what they teach and support you above and beyond your academic journey.
Dr Nuria Bonet
Lecturer in Music
Professor Eduardo Miranda
Professor in Computer Music
Mr Arron Tyler
Senior Technician (Music)
@Orchestra
@West African Drumming
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Studying at Plymouth allowed me to develop as a musician and to learn more about a subject I love. The professional development programme, alongside other opportunities, helped me develop a wide range of skills and disciplines – including performance and teaching. There is no doubt that these opportunities, such as running school workshops, helped me to secure a place on a teacher training course.
3 years
(+ optional placement)
Full-time
3 years
(+ optional placement)
Full-time
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