UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Programme Specification

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17

  1. Awarding Institution / Body
/ University of Central Lancashire
  1. Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery
/ Hugh Baird College
  1. University School/Centre
/ School of Film, Media and Performance
  1. External Accreditation
/ N/A
  1. Title of Final Award
/ BA (Hons) Creative Audio Technology
  1. Modes of Attendance offered
/ Full Time
Part Time
  1. UCAS Code
/ M124
  1. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)
/ Music
Dance, Drama and Performance
Communications, Media, Film and Cultural Studies
  1. Other external influences
/ N/A
  1. Date of production/revision of this form
/ June 2014
  1. Aims of the Programme

  • To allow students to develop their ability to produce innovative and professional creative work

  • To facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and understanding in the area of creative music production in order to provide the skills required for professional work or postgraduate level study

  • To promote personal, professional and technical development in order to become an effective practitioner in the field of creative audio technology.

  • Develop academic and research skills to provide the essential grounding for further study and contextualised understanding of issues within the music industries

The course aims to allow students to produce:
  • A sustained piece of creative musical work for exhibition or launch into a public forum
  • In depth research and conclusions drawn from issues within the music industry or their own working practices and approaches
  • Technical and accurate live sound schematics for different spaces
  • Career Development Plans through a portfolio reflecting personal development and a body of professional work.

  1. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

A.Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Create professional music/audio work through identification and application of relevant skills
A2. Define a personal identity as a producer of creative musical/audio-based work
A3. Critically discuss and appraise own practice through work produced
A4. Carry out extended independent research around music/audio issues and practices
A5. Develop and demonstrate skills with specialist design software
Teaching and Learning Methods
The course is structured to build upon the knowledge and understanding gained at levels 4 and 5 and it combines a reflective critical approach with practical work and academic research/development.
Modules at this level become more student-led, following initial lectures, seminars and discussions. Students will be expected to take part in more in-depth individual tutorials where they demonstrate the ability to discuss and contextualise their work and explain their creative and academic intentions.
Assessment methods
  • Viva Voce
  • Written submission (portfolio, essay, reports, practical logs)
  • Practical evidence (e-portfolio, digital and physical submissions)
  • Research and development work

B.Subject-specific skills
B1. Independently produce creative audio work for public consumption using appropriate music technology
B2. Recommend technical solutions for professional outcomes in live sound events
B3. Demonstrate the ability to extend and develop an argument using scholarly conventions
B4. Construct musical works that show the individuality and creative identity of the producer
B5. Produce designs and plans that could be implemented in the creation of a bespoke sound reinforcement system
Teaching and Learning Methods
Practical study/work at this level follows lecturer demonstration and input from visiting industry professionals. Academic research is carried following initial tutor guidance in methodology then primarily carried out through student-led research and individual tutorials.
Students will be expected to work with reference to their Personal Development Plans as they demonstrate, through listening sessions, group critiques and individual tutorials, their development of a creative identity.
Assessment methods
  • Technical schematics, plans/diagrams
  • Written submission (portfolio, essay, reports, practical logs)
  • Practical evidence (e-portfolio, digital and physical submissions)
  • Lecturer and Industry specialist observed ‘launch’ events/exhibitions of student work
  • Career Development demonstrations – show-reel, online presence

C.Thinking Skills
C1. Demonstrate an understanding of the links between theory and practice in a range of creative and cultural domains
C2. Initiate and conduct research from a wide range of sources and through various methodologies to academic standards.
C3. Apply reasoning and formulate arguments and express them in appropriate written or oral form, drawing conclusions
C4. Critically evaluate own practice with reference to established theorists and practitioners
Teaching and Learning Methods
At level 6 it is expected that learners will be able to actively test and explore relevant theoretical ideas in order to inform debates surrounding creative audio technologies, the music industries and their own practice. Interactive seminars, visits to forums and events, exploration of current practitioners will help to foster independent thinking and critical awareness.
Learners will be expected to apply their technical skills to effective creative and academic outcomes that reflect the nature of the thinking producer and reflective practitioner.
Assessment methods
  • Written submission (portfolio, essay, reports, practical logs)
  • Critique and evaluative work
  • Viva Voce
  • Dissertation
  • Proposals and pitches

D.Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Demonstrate an ability to work independently on a major creative project
D2. Show the ability to select and use appropriate technical and creative approaches in the production of musical works or events
D3. Produce and present self-initiated work to professional industry standards
D4. Communicate ideas and reflect on own practice in relation to contemporary production practices
D5. Create budget strategies for creative events and technical projects
D6. Identify and apply professional values to all aspects of the production process, presentation and archive
Teaching and Learning Methods
Outcomes at this level are designed to prepare students for the workplace or further study and the emphasis for practical work is on reflection and appropriate approaches that mirror contemporary industry practices.
Learning should be independent and determined by goals devised by the students through submission and critique of ideas and proposals for creative and academic work. This will also reflect their educational and professional goals as identified in their personal development planning.
Assessment methods
  • Lecturer and Industry specialist observed ‘launch’ events/exhibitions of student work
  • Career Development demonstrations – show-reel, online presence
  • Practical evidence (e-portfolio, digital and physical submissions)
  • Research and development work
  • Presentation

13.Programme Structures* / 14.Awards and Credits*
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Credit rating
Level 6 / MU3003
MU3004
PE3301
Options:
RP3002
or
RP3001
and
RP3008 / Major Project
Recording 3
Sound System Design
Practice as Research
Dissertation
Career Development Project / 40
20
20
40
20
20 / Bachelor Honours Degree
Requires 120 credits which must include MU3003
15.Personal Development Planning
Personal Development Planning is embedded throughout the modules at level 6. There will be individual tutorials focusing on PDP as it relates to the main body of the course. The module RP3008, if chosen, will give students even more chance to work on PDP and this can potentially be the entire focus of this module. During MU3003 Major Project, learners will be expected to act independently and identify and develop a range of capabilities and skills. Opportunities to reflect and evaluate are given throughout the course, through both academic research and reviews/critiques of practical projects. Students are expected to propose and negotiate realistic project outcomes, moving towards a student-led approach to the academic and practical work.
PDP is designed to enable students to work towards the level that they would like to be at upon graduation and to help them acquire the skills needed for their chosen career. It will allow them to evaluate their strengths, creative, technically and academically, and how they can deploy them in a range of situations after graduation.
16.Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Entry to the course is via:
  • Successful completion of the Foundation Degree in Creative Audio TechnologyOR
  • Successful completion of aMusic Technology/Audio Production related Foundation Degree/HND which has significant studio recording content. Some students may be required to undertake a bridging module.
External applicants will require an interview and must be able to demonstrate:
  • A portfolio of recorded musical/audio projects
  • Transcript from Foundation Degree/HND
  • Relevant skills, identified through interview and portfolio, with industry-standard equipment and software (i.e. Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Multi-track recording)
Overseas students are welcome to apply with evidence of:
  • English Language entry requirements (IELTS level 6)
  • Evidence of relevant qualifications, with transcript and portfolio

17.Key sources of information about the programme
  • Student Course Handbook



  • BA (Hons) ‘Top Up’ Creative Audio Technology Factsheet

  • Hugh Baird College HE Prospectus

  • UCAS

18.Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) / Programme Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding / Subject-specific Skills / Thinking Skills / Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 / A5 / B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / B5 / C1 / C2 / C3 / C4 / D1 / D2 / D3 / D4 / D5 / D6
LEVEL 6 / MU3003 / Major Project / Comp / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
MU3004 / Recording 3 / Comp / X / X / X / X / X
RP3001 / Dissertation / O / X / X / X / X
RP3002 / Practice as Research / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
RP3008 / Career Development Project / O / X / X / X / X / X
PE3301 / Sound System Design / Comp / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X

Note:Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks