University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > Department of Music > Composition of Music for Film and Television (MA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1MUSI011T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Neal Farwell
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Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | Department of Music |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This programme, run jointly by the departments of Music and Drama (Theatre, Film and Television), allows music graduates (or, exceptionally, other appropriately experienced applicants) to deepen their interest in and knowledge and understanding of film-music composition. It offers advanced training in the technological bases required for success in this discipline, along with academic and critical perspectives for film composers. It is centred on the research and technological interests of members of staff (including visiting professional film and TV music composers) and is taught within our professionally-equipped electronic music studio, which has full-time technical support. The programme aims to combine assurance in the handling of appropriate technology (under expert guidance) with creative application of technological possibilities in musical composition to filmic situations; analytical-critical reflection upon and response to existing film music; and studies in practical aspects of orchestration, arrangement, conducting and recording. Each of these areas of study is designed to enhance students' experience of creative work at a professional level and to allow them opportunities for refinement of technical skills, potentially as a preparation for a career as a media composer. Central to each unit in the MAFTV programme is guided individual and group study of key technological, compositional, analytical and practical elements essential as a basis for the development and refinement of students' skills in the practice of media composition. Additionally, students obtain experience of film-making procedures, scripting and relevant industrial practice in conjunction with postgraduate students in the Film Unit of the Department of Drama.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Seminars and tutorials. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Portfolio submissions (technological and compositions); |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Seminars and tutorials. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Portfolio submissions (technological and compositions); |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Seminars and tutorials. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Portfolio submissions (technological and compositions); |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Masters |
Students following the MAFTV programme are expected to expand the breadth of their knowledge through detailed instruction in the use of equipment in the department's electronic music studio, including substantial amounts of 'hands on' experience of the equipment, initially with close supervision, but increasingly independently. Additionally, students are expected to be able to demonstrate their capacity for self-directed study using the skills acquired in their prior degree-level training, and developed in the course of this programme. As the programme unfolds, students will develop further their ability to understand the technology and its potential for creative application to a variety of particular cases; to synthesise and assimilate information, and to present the results of their creative interaction with visual stimuli in appropriate musical form. They are expected to display a considerable degree of sophistication in their response to visual sequences, to notions of plot, semiosis and diegesis, including complex interaction between different elements of the film. They are expected to display a professional approach to the processes, techniques and methodologies that underpin the practice of film music composition; to refine their deployment of professional compositional skills; to develop their creative imagination; to broaden their stylistic base as appropriate to the particular circumstances; and to select stylistic influences intelligently. Their work in the conducting and arranging elements will train them to produce effective scores and parts for players; to give clear instruction; to interact productively with players; to manage time efficiently; to react to events creatively and effectively; to conduct skilfully to picture; to set goals and achieve them in a limited timeframe. The programme may be exited at this stage with the award of a Postgraduate Diploma. Candidates for the MA submit additionally a Media Composition portfolio, which should demonstrate confidence on the handling of the technological and musical aspects, and optionally a Dissertation demonstrating critical insight into the application of music in film, and powers of analysis, synthesis and presentation. |
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The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
The MA in the Composition of Music for Film and Television is a full-time (1 year) programme. 180 credit points are required for successful completion of the programme.
Most aspects of the MAFTV programme offer the opportunity to acquire and develop specific vocational skills essential for sustained employment in this competitive field, and reflected in the encouraging employment statistics relating to recent successful candidates. The uniqueness of the Bristol programme resides in several factors:
· Being taught by expert practitioners in all four music fields of TV documentary, Film scoring, concert composition, and Studio Recording, as well as an acknowledged film musicologist
· the stimulation of a notable media capital and an internationally admired course
· the strong link with the film division of the Department of Drama and the opportunities that this link can provide for engagement with further professional film making
· the annual public screening of the students' original work.
Margaret Peirson
Departmental Administrator, Department of Music, Victoria Rooms, Queen's Road, BRISTOL BS8 1SA
Tel 0117 954 5028
Fax 0117 954 5027
Email: m.e.peirson@bris.ac.uk www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Music
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Portfolio / Dissertation | MUSIM0021 | 60 | Optional | AYEAR,TB-4 |
Media Composition | MUSIM0025 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Professional Techniques | MUSIM0024 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Film Scoring | MUSIM0023 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Critical Analysis of Media Music | MUSIM0020 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Plus 40 credit points from the following: | ||||
Advanced Technical Studies | MUSIM0042 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Introduction to Professional Composing | MUSIM0002 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Accompaniment in Practice | MUSIM0041 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Contemporary Compositional Ideas and Techniques | MUSIM0006 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 |
Advanced Orchestration | MUSIM0043 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Personal Option Unit | MUSIM0051 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Supervised Individual Study | MUSIM0050 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Screen Forms and Analysis | FATVM0016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Subject to availability and subject to approval from the Programme Director, students may take ONE 20-credit module at level 5/I or 6/H. These units have codes beginning MUSI2 or MUSI3. Please see the unit catalogue (http://www.bris.ac.uk/esu/unitprogcat/UnitsForDept.jsa?orgCode=MUSI) for information on available units. Please note that MUSI20058 Performance and MUSI30066 Performance are only available to students studying Music MA and who are on the performance pathway. | ||||
MA Composition of Music for Film and Television | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
University of Bristol,
Senate House,
Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000