OUR COURSES:
MMus (Songwriting)
Career Paths
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MMus (Songwriting) is designed to enable students to develop a broad range of intellectual, practical and transferable skills. Given the practical nature of the course, it is envisaged that graduates may choose to work as a songwriter or in a related field such as music publishing. Others may use the critical skills they have acquired to work elsewhere in the music industry, perhaps for a record label or as a music journalist.
The Guardian (16.2.10) reported that "Postgraduate Education in the United Kingdom, a paper published by the British Library and the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), found that, three and a half years after graduation, 94% of postgraduates found work in the professions, compared to 78% of undergraduates". Further, the Times (17.3.10) notes that "Research by the Sutton Trust found that those with a Master's earn on average £1.75 million over their lifetime, 15 per cent more than those with just a first degree".
Upon graduation from the programme, it is the aim of course tutors that students will have acquired the core problem-solving, analytical and critical skills needed to adapt to the changeable and unpredictable work environment of the twenty-first century.
Of the seven songwriters who graduated from the course in 2008, Liam Blake signed a record deal with Helium Records and is currently recording with producer Chris Hughes, perhaps best known for his work with Paul McCartney and Robert Plant. Camilla Norderud has been working as a music teacher in Bergen, Norway and Ian Underwood is employed as a translator in Madrid. Sophie Ball is busy touring with fellow graduate Tim Emmerick to promote 'Love. Life. Ukelele', a collection of Sophie's songs chosen by BandCamp to be the first release on their newly established vinyl imprint. Hannah Rockcliffe, winner of the 2006 MBF award, has signed an artist management deal and Blain Weller has been working with a music publisher in London.
Of the 2009 graduates, Mike Roberts has been playing his songs live with members of legendary bands the Specials, Badfinger and the Style Council, Max Weedon is teaching songwriting at Bath Technical College and Will Hicks is at 21st Century in London, engineering and producing Lily Allen, Elton John and others. Maureen Anderson has been recording with producer Keefe West (Groove Armada, Massive Attack) at Strongroom in London and Janet Holroyd is teaching Music in Vence, France. Janet is finalising a publishing deal with a publisher in the United States and her song 'Why Don't You Call' is enjoying radio airplay in France. Chiara Berardelli has recently recorded her debut CD at 3 Kyoti in Glasgow with Mike Freegard, known for his work with Eddi Reader and Del Amitri, while Faroe Islander Martin Mohr i Grund has signed a development deal with his band Martin and the Revelators and is recording in Memphis.
