BMUS(HONS)

Programme overview

Updated 26 May 2020

Programme Structure

Overview

Years 1 and 2

 Principal Study in performance or composition (with optional Related Study or Second Study), with regular faculty-
based workshops, activities, and opportunities for performance

 Courses in music history & performance practice, practical musicianship & classical improvisation, applied aural
skills, study skills, Alexander Technique, musicians' health & wellbeing

 Artist Development course in year 2 comprising classes in Stagecraft & Communication and Career Management
skills

 Core course on Music Leadership in Year 2, comprising units in Learning & Participation
 Opportunity to fast track to higher levels of study in aural awareness and practical musicianship

Years 3 and 4
 Continuing work in performance and/or composition studies (Principal, Related and Second Study)

 Core course on Music Leadership Skills in Year 3 comprising units in music pedagogy and conducting

 Creation of a personalised programme of study from the following options (offered on either a yearly or two-yearly
basis)

Learning and teaching hours

Learning and teaching hours are calculated as 100 hours per ten credits studied. For BMus students this equates to 4,800
hours, which is split between self-directed study and contact hours with tutors. Contact hours include performances, one-to-
one tuition, larger group tuition, seminars, faculty and academic classes, directed rehearsals, masterclasses, competitions
and supervised study. Rehearsal and performance contact time will vary according to each student’s discipline and chosen
study options. The diagram below is designed to illustrate the RCM learning experience.

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 1:1 lessons
Faculty classes
Studio teaching
Masterclasses
Audition skills
Group teaching
Pedagogical/teaching skills
Performing skills
Psychological awareness/readiness
Chamber performance
Learning Learning
through through my
Principal Faculty
Study

Applied aural skills

Learning Learning
through through Musicianship skills (via my
Solo performance context instrument)
Chamber Historical & cultural contexts
Small ensemble performance Leadership & collaborative skills
Orchestral performance Innovation & Enterprise skills
Composition Writing & presentation skills
Stagecraft Becoming an educator
Digital & studio skills
Performance Science

BMus Programme Modules and Levels of Study

Each module within our undergraduate programme is assigned a level according to the Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) credit system. Core modules in years 1 and 2 can be taken
at levels 4, 5 or 6. Optional modules in years 3 and 4 are taken at levels 5 and 6.

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BMus (Hons) Programme Framework
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Principal Study Level 4 (40/60) Principal Study Level 5 (40/50/60) Principal Study Level 6 (60/70/80) Principal Study Level 6G (60/70/80)
Second Study (20) Second Study (20) Second Study (20) Joint Principal Study Level 6G (40/40)
Related Study (0) Related Study (10) Related Study (10)
Joint Principal Study Level 4 (60) Joint Principal Study Level 5 (60) Joint Principal Study Level 6 (40/40)

Musicianship & Improvisation Level 4, 5 Musicianship & Improvisation Level 5 or 6 Options Choices (10/20) at Levels 5, 6
or 6 (20) (10) These will be organised across the following specialisations:

Aural Level 4, 5 or 6 (10) Aural Level 5 or 6 (10)  Applied Skills [Musicianship, Aural, Stylistics, Alexander Technique]
 Faculty Based Options [Chamber Music, Interpretation of Song, Opera, Acting &
or Movement]
Aural in Professional Contexts Level 6 (10)  Music in Context [Historical Studies, Digital & Studio, Innovation & Enterprise]
 Music Leadership & Education [Conducting, Instrumental and Vocal Teaching]
Historical Studies Level 4 (20) Historical Studies Level 5 (20)  Performance Science [Effective Practice, Evaluating Performance]
 Open Project (L6G – 30 credits) [in any of the above areas]

Healthy Musician Level 4 (10) Artistic Development Level 5 (10) The Researching Practitioner Level 6 (10)
Term 1:  Stagecraft & Communication Choose one of the following or similar:
 Digital Skills for Musicians
 Intro to Healthy Practice  Concert Project
 Career Management
 Alexander Technique  Composers’ Orchestral Workshop
 Keyboard, Viol or other festival
Term 2:
 Masterclass
 Healthy Musician  Opera Scenes
 Self-devised project
 International Exchange

Musical Leadership: Learning & Musical Leadership: Teaching Skills &

Participation Level 5 (10) Techniques Level 5 (10)

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BMus Core Modules and Options
Please note that optional modules may be subject to change according to student numbers and availability of professors.

Applied Skills Credits Pre-requisite (core modules in red)

Advanced Stylistic Studies L6 20 L5 or L6 Musicianship Workshop
Alexander Technique L5 20 L4 Healthy Musician
Alexander Technique L6 20 L5 Alexander Technique
Aural in Professional Contexts L6 10 L5 Applied Aural Skills
Applied Aural Skills L6 10 L5 Applied Aural Skills
Improvisation L5 10 L5 or L6 Musicianship Workshop
Jazz Harmony & Arranging L5 20 L5 or L6 Musicianship Workshop
Jazz Composition & Arranging L6 20 L5 Jazz Harmony & Arranging
Orchestration & Transcription L5 20 L5 or L6 Musicianship Workshop
Orchestration & Arrangement L6 20 L5 Orchestration & Transcription
Writing About Music L5 10 L5 Historical Studies
Writing About Music L6 10 L5 Writing About Music

Faculty-based Credits Pre-requisite (core modules in red)

Collaborative Piano L5 * 20 L5 Principal Study Piano

Collaborative Piano L6 * 20 L5 Collaborative Piano
Collaborative Piano L6G * 20 L6 Collaborative Piano
Guitar Accompaniment L5 * 20 L5 Principal Study Guitar
Guitar Accompaniment L6 * 20 L5 Guitar Accompaniment
Interpretation of Song L5 20 L5 Principal Study Voice
Interpretation of Song L6 20 L5 Interpretation of Song
Opera, Acting & Movement L6 20 L6 Principal Study Voice
Organ Improvisation L5 * 20 L5 Principal Study Organ
Organ Improvisation L6 * 20 L5 Organ Improvisation
Chamber Music inc. Duo Performance L5 20 L5 Principal Study
Chamber Music inc. Duo Performance L6 20 L5 Chamber Music
Conducting L6 20 L5 Music Leadership 2: Teaching Skills & Techniques
Contemporary Music in Action L6/7 10 L5 Principal Study

* May not be taken in conjunction with a Second, Related or Joint Principal Study since these options attract 10 hours of additional
1:1 tuition over the year. Principal Study may be taken at 80 credits but with 35 hours tuition only over the year.

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 Music in Context Credits Pre-requisite (core modules in red)
Collections in Practice A L6 10 L5 Historical Studies
Composition for Screen L6 20 L5 Electronic Music or L5 Second Study Composition
Composition L5 20 L5 or L6 Musicianship Workshop
Composition L6 20 L5 Composition
Electronic Music L5 20 L5 or L6 Musicianship Workshop
Electronic Music L6 20 L5 Electronic Music
Historical Studies L6: Investigating Music A 10 L5 Historical Studies
Historical Studies L6: Investigating Music B 10 L5 Historical Studies
Innovation & Enterprise L6 10 L5 Music Leadership 1: Learning & Participation
Musician in the Digital Age L5 10 L5 Artist Development
Sound Recording and Production L6 20 L5 Artist Development

Music Leadership & Education Credits Pre-requisite (core modules in red)

Instrumental & Vocal Teaching L6 20 L5 Music Leadership 2: Teaching Skills & Techniques
Workshop Leadership L6 20 L5 Music Leadership 1: Learning & Participation or L5
Music Leadership 2: Teaching Skills & Techniques

Performance Science Credits Pre-requisite (core modules in red)

Effective Practice L5 10 L4 Healthy Musician
Evaluating Performance L5 10 L4 Healthy Musician
Psychology of Performance L6 10 L4 Healthy Musician

Open Project Credits

Open Project (Year 4 only) 30

The BMus(Hons) offers our students various trajectories to specialise in depending on the strengths and interests. Sample
trajectories are below.

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Examples of trajectories through the strands

Digital & Sound Production

L5 Artist Development (Digital

Skills for Musicians)  L6 Sound Recording &
Production 
L6G Open Project in Digital &
Sound Production
or
L5 Artist Development (Digital
Skills for Musicians)  L5 Performance in the Digital
Age  L6G Open Project in Digital &
Sound Production
or
L5 Artist Development (Digital
Skills for Musicians)  L5 Electronic Music  L6 Electronic Music

Music Leadership & Education

L5 Music Leadership 1: Learning

& Participation  L6 Instrumental & Vocal
Teaching  L6G Open Project in
Leadership & Education
or
L5 Music Leadership 1: Learning
& Participation  L6 Music Leadership 2:
Teaching Skills & Techniques  L6 Workshop Leadership

Innovation & Enterprise

L5 Artistic Development (Career

Management)  L6 Innovation & Enterprise 
L6G Open Project in Innovation
& Enterprise

Performance Science

L5 Effective Practice  L6 Performance Psychology  L6G Open Project in

Performance Science
or

L5 Evaluating Performance  L6 Performance Psychology 

L6G Open Project in
Performance Science

Historical Studies

L5 Historical Studies  L6 Investigating Music 

L6G Open Project in Historical
Studies