BA (Hons) Music University of Lincoln

Our webinars, subject masterclasses, question and answer sessions, and student panel talks are a great way to discover what it is like to live and study at the University of Lincoln.

Music at Lincoln is a contemporary, industry-focused degree for musicians looking to develop their skills as performers, composers, and collaborators within a flexible curriculum that encompasses classical, rock, pop, and non-Western music.

This course connects practice with theory, tradition with innovation, and personal creativity with collaborative projects. As well as working with other musicians, students have the opportunity to work with dancers, actors, filmmakers, animators, and computer game designers.

Practical skills are underpinned and enriched with an approach to studying music that positions practice alongside an understanding of musical histories, cultures, and genres, as well as developing the critical and reflective skills needed to articulate these connections.

The teaching team is made up of professional musicians and experienced researchers with expertise that encompasses numerous professions, disciplines, and media, such as musical theatre, composition, performance, orchestration, musical direction, and sound production.

How You Study

In the first year, topics include the development of key musical skills, the use of audio production technology, working with a score, the role of music in society, and the contemporary music industry. Individual instrumental and vocal tuition is also available to all students.

In the second and third years, students can tailor the degree to suit their individual interests. There are degree pathways that focus on performance or composition, as well as scope for students to explore a wide range of practical and academic skills. In their third year, students can complete either a written dissertation on a subject of their choosing or undertake a practical project, such as writing and recording an album or arranging and performing in a tour. Students can also curate an entire music festival in their final year, giving them the opportunity to present live work and develop key professional skills.

Students on this programme learn from academic staff who are often engaged in world-leading or internationally excellent research or professional practice. Contact time can be in workshops, ensemble rehearsals, discursive seminars or lectures and may vary from module to module and from academic year to year. Tutorial sessions and project supervision can take the form of one-to-one engagement or small group sessions. Practical work can take place in recording studios, performance spaces, rehearsal rooms and Mac workstations. Some courses offer the opportunity to take part in external visits and fieldwork.

It is still the case that students read for a degree and this means that in addition to scheduled contact hours, students are required to engage in an independent study. This allows you to read around a subject and to prepare for lectures and seminars through wider reading, or to complete follow-up tasks such as assignments or revision. As a general guide, the amount of independent study required by students at the University of Lincoln is that for every hour in class you are expected to spend at least two to three hours in an independent study. Students studying music should also schedule additional time to practise their instruments.

The teaching team is made up of professional musicians and researchers with expertise that encompass numerous professions, disciplines and mediums, including performance, composition, musicology, and teaching music. Teaching is enhanced by visiting practitioners, masterclasses, career events, and alumni talks.

Modules

First Year

• A History of Popular Music (Core)
• A Performer Prepares (Core)
• Knowing the Score (Core)
• Music Industries (Core)

Second Year

• Curating Music (Core)
• Music in Society (Core)
• Music on Location (Core)
• Composition (Option)†
• Ensemble & Enterprise (Option)†
• Music Placements (Option)†
• Music Production and Enterprise (Option)†
• Music Theatre (Option)†
• Performance (Option)†
• Study Abroad (Option)†
• Teaching Music (Option)†

Third Year

• Music Festival (Core)
• Dissertation (Music) Written (Option)†
• Dissertation: Practice-led (Option)†
• Psychology of Music (Option)†

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

How You Are Assessed

Much of the assessment on this course will be practical and will reflect the demands and expectations of the music industry. Depending on the chosen pathway, students may be asked to perform or to create and submit their music using various technologies. Students may be required to submit their practical work as a portfolio documenting their creative process and development.

Written assessments come in various forms and are designed to develop writing skills for academic work, but also to allow students to develop industry-specific writing skills. Students may therefore produce sleevenotes, funding applications, project reports, reflective journals, professional portfolios, websites, and writing in other relevant formats.

The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year. The University of Lincoln aims to ensure that staff return in-course assessments to students promptly.

Scholarships

For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships.

Course-Specific Additional Costs

There are no mandatory additional costs related to this course. However, we would however generally expect students to own and maintain the instrument they are studying. Though we do have pianos, guitars, and drums that can be used or borrowed, other instruments may not be available.

Additional costs may apply to those participating in productions with the Lincoln Company.

Entry Requirements 2023-24

United Kingdom

• A Level: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 3 A levels or equivalent qualifications) and a recognised practical music examination at Grade 5, A Level Music or equivalent.
• International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.
• BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit or equivalent.
• T Level: Merit
• Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• A combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTEC, EPQ, etc.
• Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry. We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.

International

Non-UK Qualifications:

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.

EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.

Features

Performance Opportunities

There are many opportunities to perform in staff-led ensembles including choirs, orchestras, and bands in a variety of styles. Students can join as many of these ensembles as they like at no extra cost. We organise regular performances on and off campus, with students having previously performed at the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, the Platform Stage in The Engine Shed, Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Drill Hall, for Lincolnshire International Chamber Music Festival, and at Siren Radio.

There are opportunities to get involved with the in-house semi-professional Lincoln Company, which stages productions throughout the year, including at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Additional costs may apply.

Live Music and Events

As well as performing as part of your degree, it is vital to experience a range of music as a listener. The degree introduces you to a wide range of music in the classroom, but also provides opportunities to see live music and experience live events such as talks and conferences. In recent years students have experienced performances at Lincolnshire International Chamber Music Festival, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, and many others.

Music Conference

Each year music students organise, contribute to and attend the Music Conference, with third-year students presenting practical or written dissertation projects. This event gives students the opportunity to be involved in the planning and delivery of an academic event where they can share their work in performance, composition, and music production, as well as through academic presentations.

Study Abroad

In the second year, students can choose to study abroad. An optional module enables students to spend a semester studying abroad at one of the University’s approved partner institutions. Eligible students must have completed their first year of study to a satisfactory standard and successfully completed the application process for the study abroad scheme.

Students are responsible for travel, accommodation, and general living costs while undertaking a period of study abroad.

Placements

Our optional placements module in the second year allows students the opportunity to gain work experience in the industry, focusing on a role suited to their career aspirations and specialist expertise developed on the programme. The module encourages students to reach into the wider community to hone their skills for future employment.

Students are responsible for travel, accommodation, and general living costs while on placement.

Interviews

We invite applicants to an Audition Day during which we will ask you to perform a 3–5 minute piece that shows you at your best, talk about your musical interests and experiences, and share with us your reasons for wanting to study at Lincoln. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions, meet staff and students, and see our facilities.

"I am able to look back and see the huge impact this course has had on me as both an academic and a musician. From developing my musical knowledge, to giving me the tools and life skills to excel in any future career path I choose, this course has played a huge role in my development as an individual."



Amber Shucksmith, BA (Hons) Music graduate

Career Opportunities

Through enterprise and career-focused teaching students have the opportunity to engage with parts of the music industries. Students have benefited from connections with Frequency Festival, Lincolnshire International Chamber Music Festival, the International Guitar Foundation, Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, Lincoln Drill Hall, and a range of local venues and organisations.

We aim to provide our graduates with the necessary skills and experience to pursue careers as freelance songwriters, musical directors, arrangers, orchestrators, composers, studio technicians, teachers, vocal coaches, producers, agents, event managers, and arts managers among many other roles.