The University of Sheffield
Institute for Lifelong Learning (TILL)

Certificate in Music and Creative Media

This course is aimed at those who wish to enhance their understanding of music and to develop their abilities as musicians. The programme places great importance on developing the self-confidence of students and should be of interest to anyone who wishes to develop both academic and practical musicianship skills in classical, popular, jazz or folk music.

Key facts

  • Two year part-time programme
  • Equivalent to Level One of a BA degree
  • Friendly, supportive learning environment
  • Experienced musicians and composers as tutors
  • Programme Code: ACE U164

About the course

This programme of study is aimed at those who wish to develop and enhance their understanding of music and equip themselves with a thorough grounding in a wide range of practical, analytical and creative skills.

Lying at the heart of this programme is a belief that musicianship requires the development of a range of abilities and the capacity to be able to critically reflect on the psychological processes involved in complex skills such as performance and composition.

This certificate enables students to study modules which have been designed to develop skills such as performance, improvisation and composition whilst providing tuition that demonstrates how these practical skills can be further developed. In addition the course explores the ways that new technologies are changing the ways that music is composed, performed, recorded and disseminated.

Students are also introduced to the practical skills involved in recording music and can also explore the relationship of music to other media such as film, literature, poetry and theatre.

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Core modules

  • Songwriting: Craft, Technique and Creativity
  • Music in Theory and Practice
  • Musical Composition: Styles and Techniques
  • Musical Performance

Optional modules

  • Vocal Performance
  • Short film production
  • Sound Recording

Module descriptions (PDF, 166KB)

Entry requirements

To get the most from this course you should be competent on your chosen instrument or be able to sing. We admit students interested in any style of music and it's certainly helpful if you have some understanding of the rudiments and theory of music.

The most important thing, however, is that you are actively involved in music-making and have a deep and committed interest in developing your skills and abilities.

General TILL entry requirements

Contact

Mr Adam White
T: 0114 222 7007
E: a.white@sheffield.ac.uk

Music student


"I've been involved in music all my adult life but never officially studied the subject. I wanted to use my existing knowledge and apply it in an academic environment that fits my schedule. This course was perfect. I wanted to get back into music after a short break. The course has helped to refresh forgotten knowledge and has introduced me to new and exciting areas of musical study. My aim was to gain an introduction to the study of music whilst keeping my options for further study open. The Music and Creative Media course has given me that opportunity."

Matt Doxey, Music and Creative Media

Moving on from the certificate

The Certificate in Music and Creative Media is a programme of study and a qualification in its own right.

If you would like to continue you'll be able to apply to continue at the Department of Music, working towards a full-time degree, or post-graduate degree depending on existing qualifications and experience.

What kind of jobs will this course prepare you for?

Our students have gone on to be professional musicians, composers and arrangers.

Others have pursued jobs in school based or peripatetic instrumental or vocal music teaching, or have gone on to pursue specialist undergraduate and postgraduate study in performance or composition.

This course is also appropriate for students wishing to explore a wide range of careers in the media, including sound production, recording, studio work and writing music for computer software or specialist websites.

How to apply

You can apply online using our application form.

If you are applying to one of our named awards (Certificate, Degree, Foundation degree) we will usually invite you for an informal interview to discuss your programme of study and module choices.

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Video: Students Sara Hill and Matt Doxey rehearsing for a performance