UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION FOR: BA (HONS) MUSIC JOURNALISM PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION [ACADEMIC YEAR 2018/19] This Programme Specification is designed for prospective students, current students, academic staff and potential employers. It provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the intended 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. More detailed information on the teaching, learning and assessment methods, learning outcomes and content of each unit can be found in the Unit Descriptors. Quality Assurance Handbook Page 1 of 8
Section A Material Course Information Validating Body University for the Creative Arts 1 Teaching Body Final Award Title and Type Course Title University for the Creative Arts BA (Hons) Music Journalism Course Location and Length Campus: Epsom Length: Full-time - 3 Years Mode of Study Full-time Part-time Period of Validation 2017/18 to 2021/22 Name of Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body Type of Accreditation Accreditation due for renewal Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Entry criteria and requirements 2 As the UK s highest-ranking creative arts university, we want to attract the best and most creative minds in the country so we take a balanced approach to candidate assessment, taking both individual portfolios and exam results into account. That s why your portfolio is an especially important part of your application to study with us and we can help. Our academics can offer you expert advice on how to showcase your creative work and build a portfolio that will make your application stand out. More advice on how to create an exceptional portfolio is also available here, along with specific portfolio requirements for this course. Along with your portfolio, the standard entry requirements** for this course are: 112 UCAS tariff points from accepted qualifications*, or Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4), or Distinction, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma, or Merit at UAL Extended Diploma, or 112 UCAS tariff points from an accredited Access to Higher Education Diploma in appropriate subject And four GCSE passes at grade A*-C and/or grade 4-9 including English Language (or Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2). Other relevant and equivalent level 3 UK and international qualifications are considered on an individual basis, and we encourage students from diverse educational backgrounds apply. If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent. If you 1 Regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England 2 This should be the standard University Criteria unless otherwise approved by the Academic Board and include UCAS entry profile for undergraduate courses. Quality Assurance Handbook Page 2 of 8
require a visa to study in the UK, you will also need a minimum score of 5.5 in each individual component. *To see the accepted QCF qualifications, visit: http://uca.ac.uk/study/acceptedqualifications/ ** We occasionally make offers which are lower than the standard entry criteria, to students who have faced difficulties that have affected their performance and who were expected to achieve higher results. In these cases, a strong portfolio is especially helpful. Overall methods of assessment 3 Written exams: Practical exams: Coursework: Stage 1 0.0% 0.0% 100.0% Stage 2 0.0% 0.0% 100.0% Stage 3 0.0% 0.0% 100.0% Overall Learning & Teaching hours 4 Scheduled: Independent: Placement: General level of staff delivering the course 5 Language of Study Subject/Qualification Benchmark Statement: Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) Stage 1 38.8% 61.2% 0.0% 466 hours 734 hours 0 hours Stage 2 35.8% 58.2% 6.0% 430 hours 698 hours 72 hours Stage 3 15.8% 84.2% 0.0% 190 hours 1010 hours 0 hours The University s current recruitment policy for Lecturers and Senior Lecturers states that they must have either an MA or equivalent professional practice in a relevant discipline or field. All lecturing staff are encouraged to work towards a teaching qualification or professional Recognition by the Higher Education Academy and this is a requirement for Senior Lecturers. Senior Lecturers are required to be professionally active or engaged in research in their discipline. All Lecturers and Senior Lecturers undertake scholarship in their disciplines. There are also Sessional Staff to link courses with professional practice and Technicians to provide technical support. English The course structure 3 As generated by the most popular unit descriptors and calculated for the overall course stage data. 4 As generated by the most popular unit descriptors and calculated for the overall course stage data. 5 Include general information about the experience or status of the staff involved in delivering the course, for example Professor, Course Leader, Senior Lecturer Quality Assurance Handbook Page 3 of 8
The structure of all of the University s awards complies with the University s Common Credit Framework. The Common Credit Framework includes information about the: Rules for progression between the stages of a course; Consequences of failure for reassessment, compensation and exit awards; Calculation and classification of awards; Unit codes and titles Level Credit value Elective/ Core Year/Stage 1 EMJN4007 - Introduction to Journalism 4 30 Core EMJN4008 - Music History and Popular 4 30 Core Culture EMJN4011 - Online and Broadcast 4 30 Core Media EMJN4010 - Theories of Music and 4 30 Core Media Production Year/Stage 2 EMJN5007 - Music Media and Industry 5 30 Elective Yes EMJN5010 - Feature Writing 5 30 Core EMJN5014 - Magazine and Work 5 30 Core Experience EMJN5012 - Culture, Music and Identity 5 30 Elective Yes EMJN5013 - Music Journalism Study 5 30 Elective No Abroad Option Study Abroad with Host Institution 5 60 Elective No Year/Stage 3 EMJN6004 - Investigative Journalism 6 30 Core EMJN6003 - Final Major Project 6 60 Core EMJN6005 - Dissertation 6 30 Core Most popular student choice of optional elective units or elective options in core units? Section B - Course Overview This course presents an exciting opportunity for students to specialise in music journalism, in print, broadcast and online. It embraces all areas of the media with music-related content, including magazines, newspapers, radio, television, digital and mobile technology. Drawing on the expertise of journalists currently working across this diverse field, you will build a portfolio with strong commercial awareness, enabling you to produce work for a range of publications and outlets. It provides you with the skills to find employment anywhere in the media and music industry where the written and/or spoken word is used. This could include work on magazines or newspapers as writers and editors; radio and television production, online journalism, brand content, or music PR. It leads to mastering the fundamental skills of a professional journalist. You will be part of an Quality Assurance Handbook Page 4 of 8
editorial team working on TheWaveUCA.com, with the opportunity to publish your work from Year 1. Our successful blog is at the centre of the course an example of good practice, it has a wide readership and is recognised by the industry. You will learn a range of key transferable skills including writing, editing and subbing, knowledge of IT software packages, research skills, time management, and team-working. It is a course with strong industry partners, so you can do live projects with magazines, websites, record companies and festivals. Our alumni are already creating an impact in the industry, with Music Journalism graduates working in MTV, Absolute Radio, Rock Sound, Time Out, The Quietus, Clash magazine, DIY, Vice, NME, Rarely Unable PR, Polydor Records, Virgin, Sony, and Line of Best Fit. You have opportunities to collaborate with other courses like Music Marketing & Promotion, Graphic Design and Fashion. There is also a growing research culture at Epsom with our Stepping Out music and media conferences and the Popular Culture Research Centre. Music has the capacity to inspire social comment. This course recognises that music is a barometer of creative and cultural forces in society. Our approach is practical and academic with plenty of room to create and experiment, particularly in your third year. Section C - Course Aims A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 Develop technical skills to practise effectively as a music journalist. Become innovative and creative communicators. Build leadership and teamwork skills through live projects and work experience. Explore fully the cultural and technological context of music media and apply this to your future career. Hone your critical skills through reviewing music, feature writing and theoretical study. Establish research and analytical skills appropriate to study at postgraduate level. Section D - Course Outcomes Upon successful completion of the course students are able to: Knowledge LO1 LO2 Apply your technical skills of Music Journalism with confidence and fluency. Develop a theoretical framework for your study of Music and Media. Understanding Quality Assurance Handbook Page 5 of 8
LO3 LO4 LO5 Demonstrate your awareness of creative communication in music and media industries. Demonstrate your ability to critically analyse the role of Music Journalism in social context. Devise methods suitable for postgraduate study. Application LO6 LO7 LO8 Research and use sources that meet the requirements of set and self initiated briefs. Demonstrate professionalism and the ability to act independently or as part of a team in the workplace. Build a network of contacts in the UK and where appropriate, internationally. Section E - Learning, Teaching and Assessment Learning and Teaching Strategy The BA (Hons) Music Journalism team believe that the most effective student experience combines structured teaching with independent study. Our learning strategies combine structured teaching, one-to-one support and independent study to empower you as autonomous thinkers. We teach essential skills and provide support while allowing you through timetabled self-directed study to develop responsibility for your own learning. Through personal time management, the ability to formulate goals and meet deadlines you will get experience of a real life working environment. Our study of Music Journalism promotes creativity and exploration, as well as skills of critical reflection and sustained study. These methods include: group work, individual tutorials, seminars, critiques, presentations, work placements and self-directed study. We believe in the integration of theory and practice. Theory is embedded within the course, allowing you to reflect on your practice in preparation for work and/or postgraduate study. We support sustainable practice and inclusivity, recognising different learning needs and setting project briefs that include visual, spoken and written elements. You will be part of a campus community and music culture. The course also benefits from proximity to London and we use it as a vibrant live resource. You will be taught by industry practitioners, and be offered field trips and opportunities through our work partnerships with festivals etc. All projects are updated annually to embrace current trends and industry developments. Assessment Strategy Tutorials: Music Journalism projects will be of a highly individual nature, and therefore tutorials are a way of developing academic strengths and journalistic practice. They will: Take place when work is well progressed Quality Assurance Handbook Page 6 of 8
Have a trouble-shooting function, enabling you to redraft your work Support you in achieving learning outcomes, within an inclusive environment. Group Tutorials are also employed across the course to: Enable you to learn from one another with constructive feedback of each others work Evaluate tasks and set goals for the future Student presentations and peer feedback enable us to: Monitor your understanding of learning outcomes and assessment requirements Hone your presentation and critical skills Seminars are used: To explain the learning outcomes as detailed in unit handbooks As an inspirational tool for you to engage with your studies Technical Demonstrations: Support you learning technical skills in a range of IT media packages Introduce essential techniques such as photography, radio, video filming and editing Provide demonstrations and hands-on instruction It is the nature of journalism that work is both self-directed and conducted in response to briefs from commissioning editors. The course replicates these conditions as closely as possible by establishing independent study from an early point in the course. You are encouraged to develop a structured approach to Independent Study, as well as appropriate research skills. With imaginative research you will attain the level of originality required to earn higher grades. Independent study may take place on campus (in the library or IT studio), at home, or an outside location (events, gigs, exhibitions). There are also opportunities for online learning, via The Wave course blog and teaching materials on MyUCA. Section F - Enhancing the Quality of Learning and Teaching The course is subject to the University s rigorous quality assurance procedures which involve subject specialist and internal peer review of the course at periodic intervals, normally of 5 years. This process ensures that the course engages with the applicable national Subject Benchmarks and references the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. All courses are monitored on an annual basis where consideration is given to: External Examiner s Reports Key statistics including data on retention and achievement Results of the Student Satisfaction Surveys Quality Assurance Handbook Page 7 of 8
Feedback from Student Course Representative Quality Assurance Handbook Page 8 of 8