MA Music Production and Songwriting
01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2027
| Course Leader | Matthew Evans |
|---|---|
| Course Team | Robert Smith, Stuart Jones, Alun Tomos |
| Awarding Body | University of South Wales |
| Teaching Institutions | University of South Wales |
| Modes of Study | Full Time, Part Time |
Document Version
| Version | 1 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2026 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2027 |
QAA Benchmarks
Educational Aim
The Course aims to produce flexible, highly skilled reflective practitioners of songwriting who can operate with autonomy and confidence using advanced practical, intellectual, cognitive and entrepreneurial skills to make a significant contribution to the field of songwriting and song production, their local economies and body of knowledge in the discipline.
They will achieve this through successful completion of the modules, and by undertaking the self-initiated final Project that constitutes the Course. The MA Songwriting and Production aims to:
• Create a context which fosters and facilitates individual, independent and innovative songwriting;
• Provide a thorough understanding of the professional practice of songwriting;
• Enable students to produce a portfolio of innovative songwriting work, ready to present to the relevant industry;
• Equip students with the skills to analyse and reflect upon their own work and the work of others, as a means of enhancing the creative and professional impact of their songwriting and production.
In line with external (including QAA) and internal benchmarks and guidance, the course aims to provide students with:
An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the profession, informed by current practice, scholarship and\\u2028research, including a critical awareness of current issues and developments in the subject\\u2028and the profession.
The ability to apply research to professional situations, both practical and theoretical
he ability to use a range of techniques and research methods applicable to professional activities.
Learning Outcomes
| A1 | A systematic understanding and knowledge of songwriting and production, informed by current practice, scholarship and research at the forefront of the academic discipline, field of study, and area of professional songwriting and production practices (knowledge base). |
| A2 | A comprehensive understanding of songwriting and production techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship within the subject domain (disciplinary methodologies). |
| A3 | Conceptual understanding enabling critical evaluation of current research and advanced scholarship/practice in the disciplines of songwriting and production (critical and contextual awareness). |
| B1 | Undertake, with critical awareness, analysis of complex, incomplete or contradictory areas of knowledge within the discipline, and synthesise information in a manner that may be innovative, informed by the forefront of the academic subject domain/practices of songwriting and production, communicating the outcome effectively (analysis and synthesis). |
| B2 | Exhibit conceptual understanding of songwriting and production that enables the student to critically evaluate current methodologies, research and advanced scholarship in the discipline, and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses (evaluation). |
| B3 | Demonstrate initiative and originality in the application of knowledge about songwriting and production, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in songwriting and production (application). |
| C1 | The ability to deal with complex issues in relation to songwriting and production, both systematically and creatively, make sound judgments in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and nonspecialist audiences (application of skills). |
| C2 | The capacity to show self direction and originality in tackling and solving problems related to the practices of songwriting and production, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level (autonomy in skill use). |
| C3 | The capability to continue to advance their knowledge and understanding of songwriting and production, adapt skills and design or develop new skills and/or procedures for new situations relating to the subject domain (technical expertise). |
| C4 | The competencies to complete a research project in songwriting and production, which will include a critical review of existing literature or other scholarly outputs (subject-specific skills). |
Course Structure
Level 7 Modules
| Module Code | Module Id | Module Title | Module Status | Credit Value | Module Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MO4D02 | MOD007298 | Songwriting 2: Creative Co-writing | Running | 40 | specified |
| MO4S11 | MOD001192 | Recording | Running | 20 | optional |
| MO4S12 | MOD007296 | Songwriting 1: Skills and Strategies | Running | 20 | specified |
| MO4S15 | MOD008337 | Digital Music Production | Running | 20 | specified |
| MO4S16 | MOD008338 | Performance: Practice and Presentation | Running | 20 | optional |
| MO4S19 | MOD010906 | Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship (Music and Sound) | Running | 20 | specified |
| MO4T01 | MOD001193 | Major Project | Running | 60 | specified |
Teaching and Assessment
Learning and Teaching Methods
Lecture Seminar Tutorial Practical classes and workshops Performances Supervised time in studio/workshop Fieldwork External visits Work based learning Independent study
Employer Engagement
In developing the MA Songwriting and Production course, the team has engaged with employers in the form of successful industry professionals, who have had the opportunity to consider and comment on the proposed course. We have been fortunate to receive the support of the following (details are provided at the end of the document):
Ann Harrison, author: Music: The Business: The Essential Guide to the Law and the Deals (2011)
Steve Cooper, External Examiner for the USW BA (Hons) Popular Music and SL Popular Music, the University of Wolverhampton
Chris Brooke, The Waiting Room New Music Radio Show
Greg Haver, record producer for, inter alia, The Manic Street Preachers
Cian Ciaran, keyboard player Super Furry Animals
Bethan Elfyn, DJ BBC Radio Wales
Adam Walton, DJ BBC Radio Wales
Spike Griffiths, Sonig - Youth Music Development Officer, CBS, Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC
John Rostron, co-founder of Swn Festival and former head of the Welsh Music Foundation
Paul Tristram, Sound Designer/Composer, Bang Post Production, Freelance
Cardiff
Caryl Parry Jones, one of the outstanding Welsh-language artists of her generation and a singer-composer
The Course Leader has been in recent discussions with Amy Wadge, Ed Sheeran’s co-writer (and co-writer of ‘Thinking Out Loud’, recently nominated for a Grammy Award), with a view to her contributing to the delivery of the course via masterclasses, which she has agreed in principle to do.
Greg Haver has also agreed to contribute to the delivery of the course via masterclasses and is, indeed, delivering a masterclass in April, which we hope to use to launch officially the MA Songwriting and Production, subject to its validation.
Course staff also have professional connections with Hugo Turquet, Owen Powell (ex-Catatonia), and David McAlmont.
Means of Assessment
Presentation
Portfolio
Practical assessment
Production
Performances
Work placement
Project
Essay
Dissertation
Report
Self-reflective writing
Research plan/proposal/project/log
Case study
Creative writing
Personal development planning (PDP)
The pedagogical approach of the MA sees assessment as a way of testing learning outcomes through professionally relevant means, wherever possible. Assessment is an integral part of the learning experience that will contribute to the process of learning as well as to its measurement. Efforts have been made to ensure that all assessments are suited to purpose, are valid and that, wherever possible, assessment takes the form of professionally-accepted norms and standards of communication. Assessment will maintain an expectation of the use of sound research practices, formal presentation structures and recognized academic referencing formats.
Assessment will reflect the Learning and Teaching strategies of the programme. Learning aims are set against learning outcomes and will be redefined following feedback from assessments.
Practical work will be assessed in terms of individual levels of skill, maturity and critical sophistication, for its engagement in and understanding of the nature and importance of a practical task, and for the ability to evaluate songwriting performance critically as both process and product. It will also assess the ability to relate theoretical principles and perspectives to practice, the awareness of a range of available critical perspectives and options, and an appreciation of the limits of practical and theoretical knowledge in respect of students’ own and others’ practice.
All assessments will be marked internally by at least two members of academic staff and a selection of material will be sent to the External Examiner. All practical work will be filmed/recorded.
Learning Support
Faculty Student Handbook
Module Guides
Vero Modules and Programmes Database
Course Leader and Module Coordinators
Student Portal Personalised Learning Environment
Blackboard e-Education platform
Student Services specialist advice for welfare, health or financial advice, and disability and dyslexia support
Student e-mail accounts
Computer Laboratories
Learning Resources Centre
Specialist guest lectures
Faculty Advice Shop
Disability and Dyslexia Support Coordinator
\\\"Open door” policy
Electronic progress file and support student engagement with Professional Development Planning
Staff-Student Liaison Committee
Student Course Representatives
Educational Drop-In Centre
Course Exit Points
| Award | Criteria | Final |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts | 180 credits of which at least 150 must be at Level 7 and no more than 30 at Level 6 | Final |
| Postgraduate Certificate | 60 credits with at least 40 at Level 7 and no more than 20 at Level 6 | Exit |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 120 credits of which at least 90 must be at Level 7 and no more than 30 at Level 6 | Exit |
Progression Route
Entry Requirements
Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:
A good Honours degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant discipline or appropriate professional qualification; or an HND/HNC and relevant experience; or equivalent international qualifications.
Those without such qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, where prior experience will be taken into account.
International Entry Requirements:
We also welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications. Please visit the country specific pages on our international website for exact details.
English requirements
In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.
Inclusive Curriculum Statement
The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/
Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution
N/A
Methods Of Quality Standards
N/A
Quality Of Standards Indicators
N/A