Thu 10 October 2024
Writing Courses
NAWE aims to put creativity at the heart of education. NAWE is a charity funded largely by its members fees and donations.
Writing Courses
Case Studies
Choosing a Course
Research
HE Committee
HE Events
PhD Network
Professional Development
Awards
International Links
Journals
Beyond the Benchmark
Writing in Practice
Contracts
Back to Courses
Bath Spa University

Songwriting

This is the world’s first and only Master’s Degree in Songwriting. Offered in both attendance-based and distance learning formats, it is aimed at unpublished songwriters wishing to develop their craft to a professional level, and published songwriters wishing to achieve academic accreditation whilst continuing to improve creatively. The course, which is based at the university's Corsham Court campus, will help you to develop a range of critical, practical, communicative, industrial and research-based skills. Professional songwriters, music publishers and others involved in the songwriting industry visit regularly to teach, host Q and A sessions and give master-classes.
Duration MMus full-time: one year. MMus part-time: two years. Also available as a distance learning route.
Level MA
Cost UK Home/EU Tuition Fees 2012/13: £4,565. International Tuition Fees 2012/13: £10,030. Bath Spa University has the following AHRC studentships available for 2012-13 under the AHRC Block Grant: Capacity Building Scheme. All are for full studentships covering tuition fees (paid to the university) and maintenance allowance (paid to the student in non-taxable quarterly instalments). 2 x MA Creative Writing or MA Writing for Young People or MA Scriptwriting, 1 x Master of Fine Art (MFA), 1 x MMus (Songwriting).
 
We offer a low-residency distance learning version of MMus Songwriting that is open to both UK and overseas applicants. Initially, students spend an induction week at our Corsham Court Campus (in mid-September) performing and writing songs, getting to know tutors, and working with other students. During the induction week tutors host a series of lectures and seminars that serve to introduce you to the themes of the programme. From then onwards the course is delivered using a range of tutor and student-led e-learning methods. Like the on-site version, the distance learning option is available on either a Full-Time study (one year) or Part-time study (two year) basis and course fees are identical.
Requirements
We offer places on the basis of the student's experience, potential and commitment as a songwriter. Normally, but not invariably, applicants have a first degree (or equivalent music industry experience) plus a substantial body of recorded work, equal to that which would be obtained as part of a related undergraduate course. Applicants should submit a portfolio of work with their application comprising a four-track CD of original songs with lyrics in the English language accompanied by printed A4 lyric sheets. Applications are invited from candidates with a range of academic disciplines and from a variety of national backgrounds. Where an applicant does not have a degree, he or she is required to complete an APEL (Accreditation of Prior Learning Experience) form.
Modules
During the programme you will learn to: Comment critically upon your own and others’ material; Examine the musicological and historical roots of your craft; Consider the commercial value of your songs in the marketplace; Rewrite and collaborate; Conduct academic research; Develop technical skills; Create a professional-standard portfolio of your work. Modules include: Songwriting Skills, History of Song, Context and Methodology, Collaborative Songwriting, Major Project.
Contact Information
Institution Bath Spa University
School of Music and Performing Arts
Newton Park Campus, Newton St Loe,
Bath
BA2 9BN

Tel: (01225) 876521
Fax: (01225) 875444
www.bathspa.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/songwriting.asp
Department: School of Music and Performing Arts
Contact Name: Richard J. Parfitt
Contact Email: r.parfitt@bathspa.ac.uk