BA (Hons) Songwriting with Foundation Year

Interested in songwriting, but not sure how to make a go of it as a career? Like the idea of getting some expert guidance and the space to focus on, and hone, your craft?This degree lets you develop your songwriting skills to a professional standard, whilst learning about the process behind the art form. From recording and music promotion to making money from your songs. If you’re got a flair for writing and love music, this is the ideal way to get a step up into this exciting, competitive industry.**Why study this subject?**Interested in a career in song writing, but not sure how to get started? This course will provide you with expert guidance and the space to focus on developing your craft, as well as the solid business skills needed to find success in the music industry.**Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?**BNU pioneered Music Business and Management degrees over 20 years ago. Studying with us means you'll be associated with our highly regarded teaching programme whilst benefiting from a leading team of expert lecturers. Our teaching staff have a wealth of professional and academic experience, with many still actively working in the music industry.During your three years with us, we’ll guide you through the art of song writing and give you plenty of opportunity to develop your skills in our state-of-the-art studios. You’ll work on material with our experienced tutors and explore a variety of techniques for writing songs to maximise your creative potential. As an integral part of that, you’ll learn about audio production and recording, so you become confident in producing recordings of your own and other people’s work.**What facilities can I use?**In several modules you’ll get to use our industry-standard recording studios, which include both individual edit rooms and large Pro Tools HD studios with attached live rooms and vocal booths. Our main studio has been fully equipped by our partners, Sennheiser, a world leading production supplier. We have other top-quality partners too, including Midas, Focusrite, Novation and AC Lighting, so you can get your hands on some of the best tools in the business.**What will I study?** This degree covers the main areas essential to building a career in this competitive field: songwriting ability, recording knowledge, and business know-how. You need all three to make a go of this professionally and we’ll ensure you have the tools, experience and industry awareness to get your career off to the strongest possible start.Songwriting isn’t just a creative pursuit, it’s a business. We’ll make sure you understand how to promote and monetise your creativity, alongside developing your talents.You’ll study music publishing (the business of making songs) and learn how to protect your work with legal copyright, as well as covering areas such as marketing, a vital aspect of building your brand as a professional songwriter.You’ll learn about a number of DIY approaches to the music business, and explore other areas of music entrepreneurship too, such as sources of funding and how to set yourself up as a business.**How will I be taught and assessed?**Our tutors have all worked in the industry and many are involved in research, so you’ll be supported by people with a wealth of expertise to share, in fields such as music publishing and A&R ('artist & repertoire').We invite visiting specialist tutors to keep you updated on the latest developments in songwriting and run masterclasses to teach you about things like the latest recording techniques, to boost your skills to the next level.A variety of assessment formats will be used, including in-class assignments, workshops and presentations. Assessments will always be vocationally focused, forming a constructive part of your learning process.