MA Songwriting and Production

The MA Songwriting and Production course is delivered in the context of dynamic contemporary music and the cultural scene in Wales. Building on the expertise and reputation we have developed in the subject of Popular Music here at the University, this innovative Songwriting and Production degree will enable you to make connections and collaborations within the world of both professional songwriting, and the wider music culture.

For your final project, you will create an original portfolio of work to be showcased at our state-of-the-art ATRiuM building, situated in Cardiff – the vibrant capital city of Wales, a thriving international hub for music and the creative industries.

What you will study?

Modules include:

• Songwriting 1: Skills and Strategies
• Digital Music Production
• History, Analysis, Repertoire and Theory
• Research Paradigms
• Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship
• Research and Practice in the Creative and Cultural Industries
• Songwriting 2: Creative Co-writing
• Recording
• Performance: Practice and Presentation
• Major Project Portfolio OR Research Project (Learning Through Employment)

Research methods, business practice, publishing and promotion are embedded in all modules.

You can choose to study one of the following three, 20 credit common modules. Each of these has a different focus, enabling you to select the module that will be most beneficial to you.

Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship
This module aims to develop your knowledge of the methods to identify, develop and manage enterprise and innovation in the creative sector. It will then help you apply this to your own entrepreneurial project.

Research and Practice in the Creative and Cultural Industries
The focus of this module is on the development of research knowledge and skills, while also encouraging critical engagement with approaches to creative practice. You will also explore ideas, debates and issues in the creative and cultural industries.

Research Paradigms
This module focuses on research paradigms and their theoretical underpinnings. It also looks at key conceptual tools drawn from a wide range of subject areas relevant to postgraduate research in the creative industries.

Teaching

Taught by practicing songwriters, producers, and published academics, the course is also delivered through a series of masterclasses from industry professionals.

The course incorporates desktop and studio-based production processes, with key business skills such as publishing, promotion, distribution and session planning.

Emphasis is on practical activities and encouraging you to find your own voice when developing material. Teaching sessions take place in a supportive environment, where students provide feedback on each others work. Practical sessions are underpinned by skills development and an understanding of theories about best practices in songwriting and production.

The songwriting course embraces singer/performer songwriters, as well as those who do not wish to perform their own material; solo and group outputs; creative collaboration; and material produced in studio/digital environments. The degree can also be studied by distance learning; UK and international students may choose to study using their own studio base and equipment.