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Opleiding: Sonic Arts, MA

Learning purpose

The establishment of Sonic Arts as a distinct discipline, both in academia and the wider arts community, is a relatively recent development. It reflects a growth in interest in sound which, prompted by technological developments in recording and dissemination, has brought together practitioners from a huge range of backgrounds. Artists, musicians, architects, filmmakers and even archaeologists are now discussing the importance of sound in to their field of enquiry. Middlesex University has been a leader in these developments since the establishment of the BA in Sonic Arts in 1997 and the MA in 1999.

 

The masters course draws together students from a variety of backgrounds who wish to work creatively with sound. Through an emphasis on individual, practice led research, backed up with a strong commitment to contextual evaluation and knowledge sharing, the course aims to give students a thorough understanding of the possibilities of this emerging field while strengthening and consolidating their personal artistic practice. The MA in Sonic Arts emphasises individual practice, flexibility and original research, allowing students to devise a major project or series of projects which form the core of their assessed work. The programme is suited to sonic artists and theorists looking to use their work as the basis of an academic qualification as well as recent graduates looking to focus on sonic arts practice at postgraduate level.

 

Programme

Students propose their own projects at every stage of the course. These may encompass composition, sound design, installation, sound sculpture, interface design or any other Sonic Arts practice. Independent work is backed up with regular seminars and lectures both within the Sonic Arts group and together with students from MA Moving Image and MA Design for Interactive Media, as well as the visiting speakers on the Lansdown Lectures series.

 

The content and structure of the course is designed to allow flexibility and customisation. All sonic arts students are welcome to attend any LCEA lectures (within the practical constraints of timetabling). We will help you to identify which lectures will be of most benefit to your work.

You can choose whether to develop a single project throughout your studies or a series of projects. You should consider these as investigations with defined research objectives, even though they may involve actual productions which are part of your employed work. The course can be taken over one year full time or a minimum two years part time.

 

To achieve the MA, you will need to accumulate 180 credit points, in the form of three 60 credit modules.

These are arranged as two parallel preparatory modules Creative Practice and Research and Context, followed by a dissertation module.

The Creative Practice module and the Research and Context module are complimentary, allowing students to contextualise and reflect on their own practice. They may be used to initiate an area of research that may be developed in the dissertation module or may be more exploratory allowing students to explore a range of Sonic Arts practices.

 

The programme is based at Cat Hill. Attendance patterns vary with mode of study, the nature of the projects undertaken and whether assessed work is part of employment. All students must maintain regular contact with their supervisory tutor and attend periodic group seminar presentations. These seminars are an integral part of the course and develop awareness of research activities in which staff and students are involved.

 

Assessment consists of 100% coursework, consisting of both practical work and contextual written work. The preliminary Creative Practice and Research and Context modules are assessed on a pass fail basis, the final MA grade being determined by the dissertation project which normally consists of 70% practice and a 30% written component.

 

Entry Requirements

We encourage talented and committed applicants who have a good honours degree second class or above . However, exemptions can be made at the programme leaders discretion . Candidates are normally expected to offer material evidence of their previous activities as appropriate to their background; for example: cd s of music, portfolios of designs, software developed etc. Overseas applicants whose first language is not English should provide IELTS results of 6.5 or higher. You will need access to computing facilities including internet access and email at home or at work.

 

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL (paper based) 575 or TOEFL (internet based) 90 with specified minimum scores for each component.

 

Professional perspective and employment market

Graduates of the programme have exhibited and published widely in the uk and abroad. Many have gone on to funded PhD programmes and academic careers.

Middlesex has strong links with art and design employers. Our industry partners sponsor final year undergraduate students and give visiting lectures.

Our Careers Service offers you a range of support both while you’re studying with us – and after you’ve graduated.

 

Placements

Work placements are proven to increase your success in the job market – as well as being a fantastic experience. We encourage as many students as possible to grasp this opportunity

 

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