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The Music Technology programme acknowledges new ways of generating music, sound and visual media and as such, is designed to educate and train you in the particular creative and technological methods, strategies and skills demanded by media in this context.

The programme is therefore designed to provide three interrelated elements: the creative development of the composer/producer; appropriate technological skills; the appropriate analysis and cultural awareness. The structure, content and delivery of the programme, especially in the more practical elements, are designed to mirror current and developing working practices. Music production and composition are often a collaborative process, involving both composer, sound engineer, and performer and also programmer, multimedia designer and artist.

This collaborative process demands a shared language and practice. For this reason, group work is emphasised as well as individual development. The analysis and investigation of the theoretical dimensions and cultural aspects of the subject are designed to enable you to develop a methodology and understanding that will enable you to engage with the historical and cultural dimension of this area and use it as part of your creativity and work.

Why should you join this programme?

The programme offers a balance between the development of individual creative expression and instruction in the use of advanced digital technologies.

The programme is suitable for a wide range of creative individuals, including composers, artists, musicians and programmers.

Our graduates leave equipped with the creative, artistic and technical skills required to start careers in the creative digital media industries in such areas as composition, musicians, web design, multimedia authoring, video production, sound and music recording.

The programme offers an introduction to a wide range of disciplines. As you progress, you are able to specialise in areas which they find particularly rewarding.

You will benefit from studying within a college culture dedicated to the development of the technical and artistic skills across a broad range of artistic disciplines inlcuding directing, music composition,acting and new media.

The programme at a glance

Your first year provides you with an introduction to studying Music Technology and establishes the essential skills and methodologies used throughout the programme. At the same time, as part of your creativity and technical ability to use music and media technologies, you are encouraged to maintain your individuality and personal vision while developing your skills and intellectual apparatus so as to become consciously articulate. Practical and technical units of study include sound recording, sequencing, keyboard skills, performance, computer studies and projects. The theoretical units of study include cultural theory, language of music and business studies.

During your second year, you become increasingly independent, even though the programme continues to introduce new areas of study and specialist techniques. Practical and technical units of study include digital audio and synthesis, composition workshop, music production, digital video, sound reinforcement and projects. The theoretical units of study develop and expand the areas of cultural theory, language of music and business studies introduced in the previous year.

Your final year, which consists of increasingly professional exercises, includes a dissertation which is designed to provide you with the opportunity to produce both a sustained and detailed piece of critical research and three projects which are designed to allow you to specialise in technical and creative areas which you might wish to pursue once you graduate. A non-assessed work placement is intended to encourage you to build contacts and experience the demands of the profession. Typical subjects for a project may include: creating amultimedia CD-ROM; recording an album; producing a short film; creating a web site; organising a performance/media event or technical research.