MA Popular Music Practice

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A 1-year full-time or 2-year part-time postgraduate degree available at:


Research, collaboration, professional development, experimentation, one-to-one guidance and more. This is what our MA Popular Music Practice offers you. Over a full twelve-month period of study – or 24 months if you choose our part-time option – you’ll be pushed to expand upon everything you know, moving you away from the skills-based style of undergraduate learning and towards becoming an influential and unique voice in your industry.

Our clearly defined course structure is intelligently composed to cover theoretical, practical and collaborative elements. It culminates in a major project of your choice focusing on one or more of the following paths: performance, production, composition or entrepreneurship.

BIMM University Berlin - Popular Music Practice Masters (MA)

Which pathway will you choose?

For your major project, you’ll focus on one or more of these specialisms in detail. This is a chance to tailor your studies to your passions whilst taking theory, practice and research to an advanced level.

Performance

Hone your instrumental technique, build on your performance experience and evolve your performance style. If you specialise in performance, you’ll have the chance to develop your musicality and your capabilities to a highly advanced level. Set yourself up as the go-to musician on the national music scene – and beyond.

Production

Thanks to our fantastic studio facilities and industry-leading lecturers, specialising in production will stretch your skills in recording, mixing, mastering and more. Get involved in extraordinary recording projects and build your portfolio for a sustainable career.

Composition

Whether you are a singer-songwriter, a sound artist or a composer interested in sync opportunities, this path will deepen your knowledge, understanding and ability to write music for a variety of situations, channels and outputs. Furthermore, it offers you the chance to collaborate with students of different disciplines and will see you embark on exciting projects that span media and genre.

Entrepreneurship

Specialising in entrepreneurship provides a huge range of opportunities such as starting a business, curating events or collaborating with your MA peers. There is huge scope here for you to grow into a commercially minded, music business professional.

BIMM Institute Berlin - Popular Music Practice Masters (MA)
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Two female BIMM Berlin students working together

Course Specification

Mode of attendance: Full-time (one year) or part-time (two years)

Awarding institution: BIMM University (UK)

Campus delivery: Berlin

Language of study: English

Final award: MA Popular Music Practice

Credits: 90 ECTS// 180 FHEQ (UK) Level credits

Admissions Criteria: A good degree (normally 2.2 or above) or significant experience in a relevant field. All applicants will be subject to interview and a portfolio may also be requested for Recognition of Prior Certified or Experiential Learning (RPCEL).

Application Deadlines:

  • 30 July 2024: Final deadline

Minimum Requirements

An undergraduate degree (normally 2.2 equivalent or above) or significant experience in a relevant vocation. Please reference the Entry Requirements webpage for additional international qualification equivalencies.

 

Proof of English Language proficiency is required if English is not your first language, or you have not studied at Undergraduate level in English previously. BIMM University Berlin requires equivalent to Level B2 CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Please reference our English language requirements webpage for further information.

 

All applicants will be subject to a portfolio review and interview with a BIMM University Berlin Lecturer. Applicants with significant demonstrable experience in a related vocation, and who do not have an existing recognised undergraduate qualification, may be considered for Recognition of Prior Certified or Experiential Learning (RPCEL).

Progression

You will be qualified to work as an advanced practitioner or educator/researcher within the field of popular music practice and related creative industries.

Course Fees

As part of Europe’s most successful group of music colleges, BIMM University Berlin is uniquely positioned to offer outstanding value and quality.

We’re dedicated to giving our students the best music education possible – which means accessing our globally successful first-rate lecturers in high-tech locations at the heart of Germany’s music scene.

Such cutting-edge facilities can be expensive, but we make sure all BIMM University Berlin courses are great value for money – representing a practical and affordable investment for your future career in the music industry.

Please note: module names and structure may be subject to change.

• Practice as research​

• Analysing recorded music​

• Analysing audio-visual content ​

• Autoethnography​

• Action research ​

• Doing ethical research​

• Secondary research ​

• Proposal for Major Project​

• The industry taxonomy​

• Main disruptors in today’s popular music industry​

• Defining success​

• Music rights and licensing​

• Crowdfunding​

• Music marketing​

• Big Data ​

• Direct-to-fan​

• Curation​

• Career strategies​

• Application of analogue/ digital systems in popular music

• Integrating experimental & innovative technology in popular music

• Interactive music systems & apps

• Experiential learning​

• Effective negotiation, teamwork and collaborative strategies ​

• Leadership ​

• Budgeting​

• Locating, negotiating and working with industry stakeholders ​

• Marketing and branding online and offline ​

• Event production skills​

• Digital tools used in collaborations​

• Inclusivity ​

• Developing as a reflective practitioner

• Delivering a Major Project ​

• Making your project/ dissertation stand out​

• Contextualising your work​

• Working with a supervisor ​

• Disseminating your work ​

• Tutor and peer feedback​

• Self-assessment​

Any questions?

For any questions regarding our courses or if you’d like more information on how to apply to BIMM University Berlin, please contact our Admissions Team on +49 (0)30 311 99 186 or email admissions@bimm-university.de.

 

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