Welcome to the Department of Music
at the University of Sussex
A performance in the Meeting House
Why choose Sussex
Sussex ranks alongside the world’s most prestigious institutions
19th in the UK
Times Higher
Education World
University Rankings
12th in the UK
31st in Europe
99th in the World
21st in the UK
18th in the UK
Shortlisted for
‘University of the Year’
in the Times Higher
Education Awards
2011
Why choose Music at Sussex?
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Research led teaching - the benefit to our students is that they are
learning from and engaging with leading academics in their field of study
In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise of 2008, 95% of
our research activity in Music was rated as being ‘recognised
internationally or higher’ with 20% of our research being
acknowledged as ‘world leading’
Teaching approach - an exciting philosophy of learning through practice
Clearly structured approach with scope for choice
Progressing from Foundation in Year 1 to Advanced in Year 3 with a
choice of pathways: performance; composition; film music; music
theatre; studio; musicology
Superb facilities and resources
Practice rooms; band rooms; performance spaces; recording studios;
dedicated music library; online resources
Our location
Minutes from Brighton and an hour from London
Our facilities
• Lecture rooms with Steinway pianos
• 24 hour access to five practice rooms
• Dedicated Music Library plus the main
University Library
• Meeting House
(concert and performance space)
• Electronic Music and Recording Studios
• 24 hour access to a dedicated computer
room for music students
• Specialist equipment (microphones,
DAT, Cameras)
• Unlimited online access to the Naxos
Sound Library
What your degree may look like:
BA Music, Single Honours, year one
Year one
Semester one
Semester two
Core
Core
• Music and Society
• Introduction to Music Studies: Harmony
• Approaches to Composition and Performance
Options
Options
• Media, Music, Performance, Location
• Popular Music Cultures
• Introduction to Music Studies
• Music and Society
BA Music, Single Honours
Programme outline - year two
Year two
Semester one
Semester two
Core
Core
• The Rise of Classical Music (A)
• The History of the Modern (A)
Options
Options
• The Rise of Classical Music (B)
• The History of the Modern (B)
• Ensemble Performance
• Creative Music Technologies
• Music , Stage and Screen (1)
- opera to film
• Music, Stage and Screen (2)
• Solo Performance
• Creative Music Technologies (1)
BA Music, Single Honours
Programme outline - year three
Year three
Semester one
Semester two
In your final year you study four modules per semester. You may choose any four of the level one modules in each
semester.
In semester two, you have the option to study level 2 modules in those areas where you have already completed level 1
• Advanced Performance (level 1)
• Advanced Performance (level 1 or 2)
• Advanced Composition and Arrangement (level 1)
• Advanced Composition and Arrangement (level 1 or 2)
• Media Composition: Screen (level 1)
• Media Composition: Screen (level 1 or 2)
• Media Composition: Studio (level 1)
• Media Composition: Studio (level 1or 2)
• Dissertation: Analytical Approaches (1)
• Dissertation: Analytical Approaches (level 1 or 2)
• Dissertation: Historical & Contextual Studies (1)
• Dissertation: Historical & Contextual Studies (1 or 2)
Contact time
Depending on the specific course, student will benefit from 8-10
hours per week of contact time with their faculty which will take the
form of:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Tutorials
- One to one contact time increases in years two and three
In addition, all faculty dedicate two hours per week to providing
informal drop in opportunities for students to discuss their work
Others ways in which we support
your learning
• Online learning resources, particularly the Student study pages
- Timetable information
- Feedback and assessment
- Results
• Study Direct
- Lecture notes, additional resources, Forum
• Infosuss
- Practical resources on research and crediting sources
• S3 – a study resource specifically aimed at first year students
Music friendly campus
Orchestras; choirs; musicals; band nights; lunchtime concerts; music
theatre; films; installations….
Performances
Performances
Sussex Musical Theatre Society – ‘Guys and Dolls’
Performances
Sussex Chamber Choir performing in the Meeting House
Brighton and beyond
Former Sussex Music students perform ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’
at Brighton’s Komedia venue
Admissions requirements
• ABB is typical
• Music or Music Technology A-level is expected as part of the
qualification however we can consider Grade 7 Music Theory if
you are not taking Music as one of your three A-levels
• If you want to do performance as part of your degree, you will
need to have a Grade 8 Pass in your first study instrument
• Qualifying students will have instrumental or singing lessons at
Trinity College of Music or with a local tutor (classical or jazz) or
at Brighton Institute of Modern Music (popular music)
What our students say
“Sussex is a top university in great location – I’m having the time of
my life!” - Hannah Clarke
“It’s good that everything is revised at a foundation level, so you’re
starting from a level playing field.” - Aykut Kekilli
“I enjoy being challenged by musical analysis. The course is really
well taught and the tutor is very enthusiastic.” - Emma Howard
“I like studying classical music and modern music side by side in
the first year.” - Tom McFarland
And after you graduate…
Some recent student perspectives
Peter Lyons
Working in London for a
company called A-Bomb which
writes music for commercials:
anything from a Carlsberg ad
with full orchestral score to an
ad for MoneySupermarket that
“Thanks to everyone in the
used a simple string, harp and
Sussex Music Department for
marimba line
my three years there and for
all your help in getting me this
job!”
And after you graduate…
Some recent student perspectives
Helen Whitaker
“As a keen flute player I followed the
performance route. Having been taught
how to use the recording studio at
Sussex I was able to recommend myself
to a local music collective. I now have a
record contract with a band I met whilst
gigging in Brighton and have just
released our first album”
Helen has also just won Harold Clarke
Woodwind Prize at the Trinity College of
Music
Where else can you find our Music
graduates?
• BBC Radio 1
• Channel 4
• Teaching
• Running an orchestra
• Managing a festival
• Associate artist with Glyndebourne Education
• Music Publishing
• Studying for PhDs
Contact us
Dr Nicholas McKay
Senior Lecturer and Head of the Music Department
Email: n.p.mckay@sussex.ac.uk
Professor Martin Butler
Professor of Composition & Admissions Tutor
Email: m.c.butler@sussex.ac.uk
You can also find out more by visiting our website:
www.sussex.ac.uk/music
How to get the best from the rest of
your day
Full details for all of today’s activities are in your Open Day Guide,
but here are just a few suggestions:
• 10.30am - Take a tour of the Music facilities
(meet outside Silverstone)
• Visit the Music desk in Silverstone and speak to one of the music
faculty
• Select from any of the general talks that run throughout the day:
Admissions; Student Finance; Language Electives; Student Life;
Study Abroad; the Vice Chancellor’s welcome
• Explore the campus, take a tour of the accommodation
• Speak to the student ambassadors
• And, if you have time, take a tour of Brighton