Channel your inner performer. Become a world-class musician.
Are you an ambitious keyboard player with the desire, talent and commitment to become a world-class performer? If so, our degree course at ACM (BA (Hons) Music Industry Practice – Musician Route) can help you to achieve your goals. With a strong focus on live performance, you’ll have numerous opportunities to hone your performing skills in front of an audience. To help you become a well-rounded musician, you’ll study a wide range of subjects, including music theory, composition, technology and the music business. You’ll work on developing technical and improvisational skills, as well as on developing your own personal style. You’ll find a creative and nurturing environment at ACM, with chances to network and form working relationships with your fellow music students, that could turn out to be valuable connections throughout your career. So give your musical career the best possible chance of success by applying now!
In 1999 ACM pioneered the World’s first accelerated degree delivering two 45-week terms that allowed a traditional three-year degree to be delivered across two-years. Over the subsequent 20 years this model has been adopted as the gold standard delivery for two-year degrees, with the government recognising the model developed by ACM in legislation in 2017.
The accelerated model provides a quicker route to industry by condensing a three-year degree into two years through the addition of an extra third term during the Summer. This means that students study a year and a half’s worth of a degree in a one year time timeframe. This model means that students do not study more intensively during any given weeks of the course, the extra learning takes place during weeks that students would normally be on an extended Summer holiday at a traditional University.
The accelerated nature of the course does still allow for time off, with seven weeks of the year taken as holiday between terms. This system mirrors the type of holiday periods students are familiar with through their study at School and College. Due to ACM’s industry connections, partnerships and vocational project briefs, students get numerous opportunities to work whilst on programme, even gaining academic credits for their work. This means it is possible to study and build a meaningful CV during your accelerated course, with opportunities to learn and earn whilst on programme.
Our foundation year combines academic skills with real life creative projects to give you the experience you need to begin your career within the creative industries.
If you’re passionate about creativity, but don’t have the right qualifications for our full degree, then our foundation year is for you.
For budding producers, musicians, creative artists and songwriters. Whatever your age and background, our aim is to support your learning journey.
Our foundation programme has been carefully designed and crafted to build your confidence, creative skills within your discipline and develop your essential academic skills to prepare you for succeeding at Degree level.
We use a variety of teaching methods to support your learning that may include:
Lectures and seminars both online and in person
Discipline specific skills units
Online activities
Access to masterclasses and workshops
Independent study
Portfolio building
Collaborative projects
Throughout the foundation programme, you can expect to engage in a variety of academic and skills based modules in line with your chosen discipline such as:
Portfolio Development
Creative Project Management
Academic Practice & Effective Communication
Introduction to Songwriting & Song Structure
Introduction to Production & Digital Software
Introduction to Instrumental Development
Introduction to Stagecraft, Collaboration & Performance
Degree
2 Year accelerated delivery
3 Year accelerated delivery including Foundation Year
3 Year traditional delivery Integrated Masters
3 Year accelerated delivery including postgraduate year
All candidates will be required to attend an audition / interview. View audition guide
All candidates will be required to attend an audition / interview.
2 Year Degree
All candidates should hold at least two Cs at A-Level (or an equivalent Level 3 qualification), possessing a minimum of 104 UCAS points*.
We normally require Grade C/4 GCSE (or an equivalent qualification) in English. Candidates should be capable of using the English language fluently, and able to structure arguments and present evidence to a standard appropriate to study at Level ‘4’. Where the application materials appear insufficient to form a clear judgement on the candidate’s fluency, additional documentary evidence (e.g. recent essays) will be called for. Applicants for whom English is a second language are required to have achieved IELTS level 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent qualification.
We welcome applications from those who might have completed alternative qualifications, and/or have prior experience. All applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
* New UCAS 2017 tariff system.
Foundation Level 0
All candidates should hold at least 18 tariff points* with a minimum of 12 points from one 6-unit award.
We normally require Grade C/4 GCSE (or an equivalent qualification) in English. Candidates should be capable of using the English language fluently, and able to structure arguments and present evidence to a standard appropriate to study at Level ‘0’. Where the application materials appear insufficient to form a clear judgement on the candidate’s fluency, additional documentary evidence (e.g. recent essays) will be called for. Applicants for whom English is a second language are required to have achieved IELTS level 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent qualification.
We welcome applications from those who might have completed alternative qualifications, and/or have prior experience. All applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
* New UCAS 2017 tariff system.
Masters Level
All applicants will undertake an audition that will assess their suitability for the programme based on their subject and academic ability.
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Details regarding the English Language requirements for Middlesex University programmes can be viewed here.
Our Keyboards specialism is offered through our Creative Industries Futures course, available as a BA / BSC (Hons) Degree, with optional Foundation Year or as an integrated MCCI Masters Degree.
Subject
Music
Pathway
Music Performance
Specialism
Keyboards
Modules & Skills Units
Modules and Skills Units studied as part of this course (indicative list) include: Skills units are reviewed on a cyclical basis. To ensure we are delivering the most up to date industry experience these are subject to change.
This unit allows you to develop your skills on your instrument/voice, looking at a range of techniques, styles, and approaches, across a range of specialist areas.
This unit teaches you the fundamentals of contemporary populate music theory, ear training and critical listening, enabling you to analyse, understand, and apply concepts across a spectrum of contemporary popular music examples.
Level - 4
DAW Composition & ArrangementSKU-PRO-01
This unit introduces students to composition and arrangement techniques within a digital audio workstation (DAW), giving the tools to design, record, and develop their work to a professional standard
Level - 4
Ensemble SkillsSKU-MUS-02
This unit provides you with the skills and knowledge required to work as a professional ensemble player within a variety of musical settings such as following musical direction, interpreting charts, engaging in stagecraft and communication techniques and working with the Technical Stage Crew.
Level - 4
Music & the Creative IndustriesCIF-401
This module enables students to understand how music-related skills, practices and theories are being applied in other industry sectors to problem-solve, connect and innovate.
It examines the principles and terminology used in these professional contexts and requires students to research and investigate the potential futures of music, musicianship, and music applications.
You will consider your place as a musician or music practitioner within the creative industries landscape, mapping out your path and how to maximise opportunities to make money and grow your profile and career.
Level - 4
Music, Media and TechnologyCIF-402
This module enables students to examine the role of music across a range of media.
Students will consider and compare the purpose, structure, and method of how music is used across different platforms and for different audiences.
The module requires students to review creative industries theory and practice of creating, sourcing and using music in media in a variety of formats and technologies and to connect the theory with the practice.
Level - 4
Preparing for Collaborative WorkCIF-405
This module enables students to prepare and organise themselves and their work to engage in an interdisciplinary collaborative creative project with other students with some guidance and support. Students will also prepare to engage with relevant professional networks and any professional contributors by researching working contexts, philosophies, and work. Students will identify their strengths and development needs and examine team profiles and characteristics for participating in an effective collaborative project through a series of practical workshops.
Level - 4
The impact and influence of music: from creator to consumerCIF-403
This module enables students to understand the impact of music, musical applications and activities on physical and mental health.
Students will consider and contrast the potential and actual impact of music on well-being in different contexts. The module requires students to consider and analyse the components of musical applications and activities to support or challenge current research on this topic and to connect the theory with the practice.
Level - 4
Music, society, and Culture: Perspectives and DebatesCIF-404
Music is ubiquitous and global, existing everywhere and anywhere across the world, every minute of the day.
Music is also deeply personal and has unique meaning across countries and local communities.
The creation of new music is often a blend of beat, bar, melodies and harmonies, with influence from other artists and genres, from rap to k-pop. As a musician or music practitioner it is incredibly important to understand where sounds come from, how you can use them and where it will land with the audience that you are trying to build. There will be those who like what you do and others who criticise. The easiest way to become a target for criticisms is if you are perceived to have not taken care to understand music within societies and across cultures, being aware of issues and challenges that have shaped and continue to shape your industry.
For example, as a creator you may love the syncopation or phraseology of another language, but it may not always be appropriate to lift, stitch and sample words from other cultures in an unsympathetic way.
At one level this is known as ‘censorship’, which we often associate with regulation, government or policy. However, this module also places an emphasis on self-regulation and self-censorship by having a deeper understanding of how music works across cultures and societies.
Words matter, words can start wars or friendships.
Therefore, in this core module we aim to inform you, whilst also allowing you a safe space to discuss and debate yourselves about your own views and forms of artistic and academic expression. There is often no right or wrong, it is just important that you can discuss and explain your creative outputs in an evidence based and critical manner. This is a skill that is valued in the professional sphere too, giving you the ability to know who you are as a creative practitioner and explain your influence and values to your industry networks and audiences.
Level - 4
Engaging in Collaborative WorkCIF-406
This module enables students to work collaboratively on a shared project brief. Students will carry out a collaborative creative project in which they will apply their Level 4 personal, interpersonal and soft skills; their technical and sector specific professional skills; their creative, critical thinking and problem-solving skills and their project management, research, networking and presentation skills. Students will regularly and routinely meet to develop, manage, problem-solve, reflect on and evaluate the project progress and success at meeting the project brief with support from staff with professional industry project experience.
Level - 4
Technical Development (2)SKU-MUS-03
This unit follows on from technical development 1, providing a greater depth of development into hgh level techniques needed in the development of instrumental/vocal expertise
Level - 5
Second InstrumentSKU-MUS-04
This unit gives students the opportunity to study an instrument different to their first study, including keyboards, vocals, and guitar
Level - 5
Session StylesSKU-MUS-05
This unit takes students through a range of contemporary styles, in order to navigate a range of professional situations.
Level - 5
ImprovisationSKU-MUS-06
This unit aims to develop and consolidate students’ existing improvisational technique as well as melodic, rhythmic and harmonic vocabulary, and its applications in the practical context as a lead performer and as an accompanist. Students will be required to understand and apply improvisatory techniques in a variety of contemporary styles in simulated musical session environments.
Level - 5
Arrangement & Advanced Music LiteracySKU-MUS-07
This unit prepares students for a variety of professional reading settings, and provides skill development in reading, writing, and arrangement of music.
Level - 5
Research SkillsSKU-MUS-08
This unit serves as the prepatory unit for the critical review project in level 6. Students will explore a range of topics and guided research, critically evaluating the academic work of others.
Level - 5
Specialist Collaborative WorkCIF-501
This module enables students to contribute through their chosen specialism to an interdisciplinary collaborative creative industries project. Students should engage with the appropriate professional networks for their specialist or interdisciplinary field.
Level - 5
Specialist Route SkillsCIF-503A/503S
This module enables students to use tools, techniques, and procedures to work toward producing work of a professional standard in their chosen specialist route. These sources will be used to critically reflect and analyse their work and the work of other practitioners in the appropriate frameworks. ARTS-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (A) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework. SCIENCE-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (S) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a scientific methodological and technical framework.
Level - 5
Professional Collaborative WorkCIF-502
This module aims to enable students to explore, examine, and review the function of a professional project. Students will work in a professional context to deliver a project in their specialism. Students will be responsible for identifying the requirements of a professional project brief. They will plan, deliver and review a professional project to current industry standards with their peers. Students will register themselves or/and their work as appropriate with a professional association and actively manage their professional networks, professional ethics and professional communications.
Level - 5
Professional Route SkillsCIF-504A/504S
This module enables students to create a portfolio of professional, specialist work demonstrating transferable skills to meet sector expectations. Students will apply sector specific creative and technical skills in different industry contexts. ARTS-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (A) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework. SCIENCE-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (S) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a scientific methodological and technical framework.
Level - 5
Technical Development 3SKU-MUS-09
This unit builds on the technical development units I & II and provides, moving through a variety of highly specialised and advanced technical instrumental/voice development
Level - 6
Advanced Ensemble and Musical Direction SkillsSKU-MUS-10
This unit aims to examine the concepts and principles associated with the highest levels of performance and reflect on the techniques and methods used by top-level professional musicians to create effective and convincing live performances
Level - 6
Music Analysis & advanced theorySKU-MUS-11
This Unit aims to examine a broad range of advanced music theory topics that will form a basis for analysing creativity in the conception of contemporary music. In addition, learners will be required to understand and apply advanced music theory, and be encouraged to study in detail a range of concepts within a broad spectrum of musical genres and styles.
Level - 6
Studio Musician PracticesSKU-MUS-12
This unit teaches the skills required to work effectively in live studio settings, considering part writing, working with producers, technologies and professional presentation
Level - 6
Pedagogy and TrainingSKU-MUS-13
This Unit aims to introduce students to theories, principles and models of education and training leading to the development of teaching skills relating to the delivery of individual and class music lessons. Students will develop an understanding of the broad principles of teaching, learning and assessment within a chosen specialism of either instrumental/vocal practice, production or music theory.
Level - 6
Freelance MusicianSKU-MUS-14
This unit aims to examine the career strategies and professional skills needed in order to develop a sustainable career as a freelance musician within a variety of industry contexts.
Level - 6
Leadership and CPDCIF-603
This module enables students to engage with continuing professional development and to review and develop their leadership skills in different contexts. Students will examine different models of leadership and review and develop their range of leadership tools, techniques and expertise in this area.
Level - 6
Critical ReviewCIF-601A/601S
This module includes a research or practical project that critically reviews one or more current issues, constraints or practices that impacts the music and wider creative Industries, the application of music to other industry sectors or broader cultural or workforce issues relating to music and the creative cultural industries. ARTS-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (A) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework. SCIENCE-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (S) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a scientific methodological and technical framework.
Level - 6
Leading Professional Collaborative ProjectCIF-602
This module aims to enable students to build their leadership and professional skills through an interdisciplinary collaborative professional project. Students will design the requirements of the professional project brief, manage the project and communications and evidence project outputs.
Level - 6
Independent PortfolioCIF-604A/604S
This module enables students to create a portfolio and digital presence that includes course output, work experience, freelance work or volunteering targeted to professional opportunities or further study. ARTS-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (A) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework. SCIENCE-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (S) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a scientific methodological and technical framework.
Level - 6
Professional Practice FrameworksCIF-701
This module enables students to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the professional sector specific expertise required for a creative industries profession. Students apply these creative and technical skills in a wide range of interdisciplinary contexts. Students will create or synthesise tools, techniques, and procedures to produce work that solves complex problems and disrupts in order to meet interdisciplinary objectives.
Level - 7
Applied Research (Focus and Impact on Creative Industries Futures)CIF-702A/702S
This module enables students to evidence academic expertise in an applied research context. Students will engage and reflect on the developmental process and develop learning strategies for applied research. They will work on a project collaborating with local communities, industry or academic networks as appropriate. This module runs across two terms, the first term focuses on the specific focus of the applied research and the second with the delivery and impact measurement for the research. ARTS-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework. SCIENCE-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a scientific methodological and technical framework.
Level - 7
Ideas into ActionCIF-703
Within this module students will investigate the project management processes needed to develop a project from concept to release. Students will explore projects from the perspectives of different collaborators in the research. They will identify potential collaborators for the different stages of developing and implementing their ideas and will develop skills and techniques to effectively pitch at a high level to a variety of audiences.
Level - 7
Making Connections and Building a CommunityCIF-704
This module enables students to Identify, inform, and establish a network of peers and relevant industry and community contacts to develop opportunities and advocacy in key organisations in the local community, research organisations, charities and the creative industries as well as connect with communities of investors. Students will engage core stakeholders in activities and communications to enable effective development of opportunities and increased advocacy using professional development tools such as action learning, critical reflective practice, clinical supervision, or other appropriate methods. Students will design, coordinate, and evaluate internal and external communications in a portfolio of evidence that tracks responses, activities, ethical considerations, influence, and impact.
Level - 7
Specialist Entry PortfolioCIF-001
This module aims to support students to develop a portfolio demonstrating their readiness for the MIF undergraduate programme.
Level - Foundation
Creative Project ManagementCIF-002
This module aims to provide students with the skills to effectively organise and manage projects.
Level - Foundation
Academic Practice & Effective CommunicationCIF-003
This module aims to provide students with core academic skills in using resources, referencing, presentations and the tools to communicate their ideas effectively.
Level - Foundation
Creative Practice 1: Introduction To Instrumental DevelopmentSKU-FDN-006
This module aims to enable students to gain the core skills required in order to practice competently and with confidence by establishing practice strategies that inform, maintain and extend their practice abilities.
Level - Foundation
Creative Practice 2: Introduction To Stagecraft, Performance & CollaborationSKU-FDN-007
This module builds on the skills of MIF-003 to support students to use aims to apply to a physical or streamed live setting.
Level - Foundation
Ready for ACM?
Jump over to our Apply Now page and fill in our online form. Apply now
Did You Know?
Did you know outside of learning discipline-specific skills, students most want to practice, connect and collaborate and perform.
Did you know just ahead of you in London we are preparing our new flagship campus, and it will have more studios, more production rooms and more space to create and collaborate than in any other comparable institution anywhere in London?
Read more
Did you know that UCAS Clearing is now open until 17th October 2023? Apply Now!
Read more
Did you know you can do a three-year degree in just two years? … Ask about ACM’s two-year accelerated undergraduate programme.
Did you know ACM and Metropolis run a dedicated Artist Development programme?
Did you know ACM has three record labels all managed by Metropolis and supported by ACM students where they learn by doing? … You can apply to work on the labels whilst you study at ACM
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Did you know as soon as you become an ACM student, you can submit your music to an independent A&R panel to be selected to have your work recorded, mixed and mastered at Metropolis?
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Did you know that at ACM you can apply to do a Masters in just 3 years as an option for all our creative industries courses?Read more
Did you know an integrated masters is a course that includes a degree and masters in a single course?Read more
With a strong focus on live performance, you’ll have numerous opportunities to hone your performing skills in front of an audience. To help you become a well-rounded musician, you’ll study a wide range of subjects, including music theory, composition, technology and the music business. You’ll work on developing technical and improvisational skills, as well as on developing your own personal style. You’ll find a creative and nurturing environment at ACM, with chances to network and form working relationships with your fellow music students, that could turn out to be valuable connections throughout your career. So give your musical career the best possible chance of success by applying now!
