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BA (Hons) Music Technology is a practice-based course that offers a broad introduction to creative music technology, whilst providing opportunities for specialisation at levels 2 and 3. Students can experience the practices of studio/fixed media composition, live performance with electronics, music for video and theatre productions, as well as practice involving other, related forms of multi- and interdisciplinary work, including installation, multimedia authoring and video processing and editing.
Students develop one or more areas of compositional practice during their study. These areas are underpinned by staff expertise in order that teaching and student learning can take place in a research-led context. Independent thought, experimentation and risk-taking in creative practice are encouraged. Students' understanding and creative abilities are developed through their practical work and through technical and theoretical supporting studies.
Graduates have gone on to further study, to work in the audio and media industries, and to teach music technology at secondary level, among other things.
Our approach provides solid foundations in audio skills such as sequencing, synthesis, and recording, as well as programming for artistic purposes. You will be exposed to a range of software and hardware tools and learn about the articulation and linking of aesthetic and technical decisions.
In year 1, you take modules in Music Theory and Music Technology. The choice of module in a minor subject is free, although it is recommended that you consider choosing a complementary module from one of the following departments: Communication Systems, Computing, Electronic Engineering, Physics, or Media, Film and Cultural Studies.
In year 2, you take modules in Composition. Option modules include Sound Recording, History of Electronic and Computer Music, Multimedia Authoring, Sound Synthesis, Sound and Space and Enterprise Unit. Alternatively, a module in the minor subject can be taken. Collaboration on multimedia projects with students in Art and Theatre Studies is possible in years 2 and 3.
In year 3 you will work on producing a portfolio of creative works and a theoretical project, which may include software development, a set of VST plugins or a software instrument, for example, a recording project, or a dissertation. Both of these may serve as evidence of achievement to prospective employers. An additional option module is taken in Music Technology, e.g. Psychology of Music, or in the minor subject.
Overall, our undergraduate programme aims to produce graduates who are adaptable, skilful and able to develop creative ideas using appropriate technologies—you will become an 'informed practitioner' by developing an understanding of recent practice. This is important not just because it is a worthwhile thing in its own right, but because it enables you to have a critical perspective on what you are doing. Recognizing that employers want more than mere technical skills or sheer talent, we aim to provide you with problem-solving skills that will stand you in good stead for graduate employment, whether as a composer/music technologist, or in the wider media industries or education sectors.
The course has a number of dedicated resources with 24-hour access to support teaching and learning: a Music Lab, Recording Studio, and composition studios. A Music Technologist is available to students for advice on technical issues relevant to their work, and to administer the loan and return of equipment.
Currently, most workstations and studios have a mix of Pro Tools, Logic, Max/MSP and plugins from Waves and GRM Tools. Some of the studios are equipped with additional software, including Final Cut Studio, Adobe Creative Suite, Jitter, and IRCAM Forum software; two of the studios have surround monitoring. The Recording Studio comprises a control room and sound-proof live room with lines to a recital room and concert hall. A set of microphones is available for live recording; a small PA system and portable recording equipment are also available.
We seek applicants with an aptitude and passion for creative work with technology. Whatever you have done previously, these qualities will help sustain an ongoing commitment to hard work and the delivery of successful projects. We are also looking for applicants seeking to expand their creative ideas, possibly across discipline boundaries. You need to have a willingness to learn and an interest in working in a variety of creative environments using a number of different tools, methods and processes.
All applications to undergraduate courses are made through UCAS, the UK central organisation through which applications are processed for entry to higher education.
We place high importance upon the application process and invite all suitable applicants to visit Lancaster for an interview at one of our UCAS open day. During the UCAS open days there are opportunities to learn more about the course, student life at Lancaster, graduate career options, and a chance meet with course staff. There are also a guided tour of our facilities and an opportunity to meet with current students. If you are shortlisted for a place upon BA (Hons) Music Technology, you will be invited to one of the following UCAS open days:
Interviews will be carried out individually during the open day and will be based on the work that you will bring on a CD that day and the questions shown below.
BA (Hons) Music Technology, 2007
"There’s a lot of freedom with regards to study on the course and great artistic opportunities."
"I enjoy studying at Lancaster as I’m left to get on with things although feedback is always available from our lecturers."
"I enjoy hanging out with my friends rather than going clubbing although there is plenty of nightlife on offer."
BA (Hons) Music Technology, 2007
"All the students are passionate about their music and devote lots of time and energy to their coursework. If you ever get stuck the lecturers are always there to help."
"Lancaster has loads of friendly students and lecturers who form a really close community. The nightlife is superb, and going for a drink in one of the on campus bars is always delightful."
"I decided to come to Lancaster as it is very highly ranked as a university, the course was well structured and interesting while the facilities and teaching quality looked superb."
BA (Hons) Music Technology, 2007
"Lancaster has a good nightlife. Obviously we have clubs and bars but there are also plenty of open mic nights and acoustic performances that many of the students are a part of."
"The facilities we have access to are very good. The recording studio and software are resources we are very lucky to have available (24 hour access too)."
"Lancaster has a good reputation for contemporary arts which I found intriguing. It was the only university that focussed more on the compositional aspect of music technology."
BA (Hons) Music Technology, 2008
"The fantastic access to professional facilities along with the friendly, helpful and committed staff really helped in ensuring I come out with the best possible degree."
Part-time study is possible. Students must be able to come to the classes at the same times as the full-time students. We can make no guarantee that classes will be timetabled to fit in with a part-time student’s availability. Part-time students simply study less than a full complement of modules each year. The number of modules and which they are is decided on a case-by-case basis in discussion with the Director of Studies. Often difficulties of various sorts arise as a result of (1) changes in the syllabus and (2) the fact that courses which would normally follow on directly from one year to another are spread out with gaps (e.g., a part-time student might have years in which they are receiving no tuition in performance, whereas a full-time student might get tuition in this every year). However, we usually manage to cope with such difficulties.
Music Technology: 25% practice, 75% theory in first year, then about 50/50 in second and third years.
We recommend that you book online for a Visit Day or Campus Tour. Details can be found at: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/undergraduate/uk/visit.htm. On certain campus tour dates you can also ‘drop in’ to the department you’re interested in for a talk and tour. Remember though that if you apply to Lancaster you will be invited to an Open Day / Interview which includes a talk, tour and the opportunity to chat to current staff and students.
Start by searching for your course via the Online Course Search tool on the website: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/coursesearch/ . Once you have reached the summary page for your course, click on the link to the Online Courses Handbook. This will take you to a detailed course description including links to individual modules and their reading lists.
We may be able to offer you an alternative. However, due to the amount of applications we receive this may not always be possible.
If you have completed your first year at another institution you may be able to enter direct into Part II for all LICA undergraduate degree schemes. In most cases this requires you to submit a marks breakdown / transcript from your current institution as additional information when you apply.
Our graduates work in fields diverse as audio post-production, digital forensics, technical support services, education, and the gaming industry. Many of our graduates go on to further study at postgraduate level.
No, we don’t expect you to come knowing a specific audio editor or music software. In the first year you will be introduced to different applications that you will use in your courses at Lancaster. The main software we use in our teaching is Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Max/MSP/Jitter. All Music Technology facilities are equipped with Apple Macintosh computers.
We do not have a specific module that deals exclusively with live-sound for popular music, but you will gain experience of live-sound in our audiovisual events, which include multi-channel diffusion and real-time processing of live sources. You may also encounter live-sound in modules such as Sound and Space that provide theoretical and practical engagement with associated issues. Lancaster has an active music scene that provides plentiful opportunities for both live PA, recording and performance.
You do not need to bring any equipment with you. However, if you really are thinking of buying equipment before you arrive, we would recommend that you consider a good pair of headphones. The following list of headphones represent good value for under £100: Beyer DT150s, DT100s (for recording), DT770, DT990, AKG K141, K171, K240 and K271, Audiotechnica ATH-M50, Sennheiser HD 25-SP II. Read about them all and consider your needs, particularly whether you want an open- or closed-back design. You may also consider whether you should bring a mass storage device. It may be wise to wait until you are here and have developed a working routine for backing up your data before deciding on your needs. Typically, you might want to think about a USB memory stick and a larger, external hard drive. All Music Technology facilities are equipped with Macintosh computers. Therefore we would like to recommend that you buy a Macintosh. A Macbook would be suitable for most of the needs of the course.
