Course Overview
Interested in songwriting, but not sure how to make a go of it as a career? Like the idea of getting some expert guidance and the space to focus on, and hone, your craft?
This degree lets you develop your songwriting skills to a professional standard, and learn about recording, while also understanding how to promote and make money from your songs.
If you’re got a flair for writing and love music, this is the ideal way to get a step up into this exciting, competitive industry.
Hone your skills
During your three years, we’ll guide you through the art of songwriting, and give you plenty of opportunity to develop your skills in our state-of-the-art studios.
You’ll work on material with our experienced tutors, and explore a variety of techniques for writing songs to maximise your creative potential.
As an integral part of that, you’ll learn about audio production and recording, so you become confident at producing recordings of your own and other people’s work.
Collaborate
Songwriting is just one part of a bigger music production picture, so you’ll study modules, and collaborate with students, from our other well-established music courses, such as Audio and Music Production, and Music Production and Business.
You’ll take part in shared masterclasses and attend guest lectures with our industry partners and associates, including professional songwriters and music publishers, who’ll share the latest insights and expert knowledge with you.
Get prepared for employment
Songwriting isn’t just a creative pursuit. It’s a business. And we’ll make sure you understand how to promote and monetise your creativity, alongside developing your songwriting talents.
You’ll study music publishing – the business of making songs – and learn how to protect your work with legal copyright, as well as covering areas such as marketing, a vital aspect of building your brand as a professional songwriter.
You’ll learn about a number of DIY approaches to the music business, and explore other areas of music entrepreneurship too, such as sources of funding and how to set yourself up as a business.
Who is it for?
This degree is for anyone interested in pursuing a professional songwriting career.
More placements, more choices
Bucks is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.
We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.
Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student. To increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.
Course Details
UCAS CODE: SON1
This degree covers the three main areas essential to building a career in this competitive field: songwriting ability, recording knowledge, and business know-how. You need all three to make a go of this professionally and we’ll ensure you have the tools, experience and industry awareness to get your career off to the strongest possible start.
Work with experts
Our tutors have all worked in the industry and many are involved in research, so you’ll be supported by people with a wealth of expertise to share, in fields such as music publishing and artist & repertoire.
We bring in visiting tutors to keep you updated on the latest developments in songwriting, and run masterclasses in areas such as the latest recording techniques, to boost your skills to the next level.
Use professional equipment and studios
In several modules, you’ll get to use our industry-standard recording studios, which include both individual edit rooms and large Pro Tools HD studios, with attached live rooms and vocal booths. Our main studio has been fully equipped by our partners, Sennheiser, a world leading production supplier. We have other top quality suppliers, including Midas, Focusrite, Novation and AC Lighting, so you can get your hands on some of the best tools in the business.
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will be a UCAS Tariff score of 80. A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.
Course Modules
Module Map
This module map provides a list of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
The modules available on this course are as follows:
Year 1 Modules
- Introduction to Recording
- Songwriting Principles
- Songwriting Practice
- The DIY Musician
- Music Composition
- Introduction to Pro Tools
- Entertainment Industry Framework
- Performance Development
Year 2 Modules
- Audio Production Techniques: Studio
- Commercial Songwriting Principles
- Commercial Songwriting Practice
- Music Publishing
- The Music Entrepreneur
- Intellectual Property & the Music Industry
Year 3 Modules
- Production Company Project
- Professional Skills Audit
- Composition for Film
- Lyrical Analysis
- Research Methods
- Dissertation
Fees
How much does it cost
Full Time Home and EU, Academic Year 2020-2021: £9,250 per year
Full Time International, Academic Year 2020-2021: £12,500 per year
Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.
Questions about fees?
Contact our Enquiries Team:
0330 123 2023
advice@bucks.ac.uk
How do I apply?
For application details please visit bucks.ac.uk/applying-to-bucks
