Module choice guidance for study abroad students
Guidance for international students choosing their courses for their study abroad at the University of Liverpool.
If you are studying with us for one or two semesters you will have access to a vast array of choices, however, some modules have prerequisites or require specific knowledge or experience that you must demonstrate before you can register.
Some options for demonstrating this prerequisite can include:
- Having taken specific modules at your home institution (that are equivalent to pre-requisite modules at the Department of Music)
- Having a certain level of proficiency in different areas or staying in Liverpool for two full semesters (some modules span across both semesters).
In all cases, you have to demonstrate that you have the relevant prerequisites or background in order to register for some of our modules.
Module prerequisite list
The modules that you can take whilst in Liverpool are shown in the table below alongside the specific requirements for registering and how to demonstrate them. For some of the modules you will have to contact the module coordinator before attempting to register to confirm that you fulfil the required criteria. If this information is not provided when you make your choices to get pre-approval your options will be automatically rejected.
|
Module Code |
Title | Module Convenor | Semester | Credits | Module running 23-24 | Availability for exchange students and requisites for registration |
| MUSI102 | Classical Performance 1 | Ruth Minton | Academic Year | 30 | Y | Yes. ABRSM Grade VI (or equivalent) on an instrument or in singing. This requirement can be established via a demonstration recording or audition. |
| MUSI104 | Popular Performance 1 | Simon Stafford | Academic Year | 30 | Y | Yes. Proficiency on an instrument or singing. This requirement can be established via a demonstration recording or audition. |
| MUSI105 | Writing for Instruments | Ben Hackbarth | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI106 | Classical Composition 1 | Paul Turowski | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI107 | Popular Composition 1 | Andy Frizell | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI108 | Introduction to Sound Recording and Production | John Holmes | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI109 | Introduction to Logic | Liam Carey | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI121 | Music in Contexts: Why Music Matters | Freya Jarman | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI130 | Introduction to Classical Music History | Michael Spitzer | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. Music A level (Grade B or above) or equivalent standard. |
| MUSI140 | Introduction to Popular Music History | Richard Worth | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI150 | Music as an Industry | Sarah Price | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI170 | Introduction to Sound and Music in Audiovisual Media | Amy Skjerseth | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI171 | Introduction to Sound and Technology | John Holmes | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI172 | The History of Electronic Music | Oliver Carman | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI180 | Theory in Practice: Exploring Music’s Construction | Kenneth Forkert-Smith | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI181 | Foundations in Tonal Harmony | Ruth Minton | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI182 | Popular Music Theory in Practice | Andy Frizell | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI200 | Introduction to Conducting | Lee Ward | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Notational skills appropriate to the students' area of musical specialism. Experience of performing in ensembles is desirable. |
| MUSI201 | Classical Performance 2A | Ruth Minton | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. Ability to play an instrument or sing in a classical style (broadly defined) to an appropriate level (ABRSM Grade 8 or above, or equivalent). The requirement can be established via a demonstration recording or audition. Students G4taking this module cannot register for MUSI203. |
| MUSI202 | Classical Performance 2B | Ruth Minton | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Ability to play an instrument or sing in a classical style (broadly defined) to an appropriate level (ABRSM Grade 8 or above, or equivalent). The requirement can be established via a demonstration recording or audition. Students taking this module cannot register for MUSI204. |
| MUSI203 | Popular Performance 2A | Simon Stafford | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students must have taken modules on Popular Music performance to enrol in this module. Registration will be conditional: students will have to demonstrate proficiency via a demonstration recording or audition. Students taking this module cannot register for MUSI201. |
| MUSI204 | Popular Performance 2B | Simon Stafford | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students must have taken modules on Popular Music performance to enrol in this module. Registration will be conditional: students will have to demonstrate proficiency via a demonstration recording or audition. Students taking this module cannot register for MUSI202. |
| MUSI205 | Composition for Film and Television | Andrew Simmons | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students must have good sequencing skills in Apples's Logic Pro (or similar software). They will be required to compose music and must therefore have some prior experience in composition. |
| MUSI206 | Composition for Digital Games | Paul Turowski | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students should have some composition experience and it would be beneficial to have experience working with Logic Pro or a similar DAW. |
| MUSI207 | Classical Composition 2 | Ben Hackbarth | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Some experience composing and writing for instruments. Students need to contact the Coordinator with samples of previous work. |
| MUSI208 | Sound Design and Electronic Music Composition | Oliver Carman | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students should have the ability to use a DAW (i.e Logic, Protools etc…_ to a competent level. |
| MUSI209 | Max and Ableton Live | Matthew Fairclough | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students must have a basic working knowledge of music technology. Specifically, they should have used sequencing software such as Apple's Logic and have a basic grounding in music technology practice and terminology. |
| MUSI210 | Popular Music Composition 2 | Richard Worth | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students should be able to notate melody and ideally use Sibelius or some other notation software. At least ABRSM Grade 5 in Music Theory is advisable (the student should contact the module coordinator if not certain regarding qualifications). |
| MUSI213 | Sampling and Remixing | Matthew Fairclough | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. This module requires students to have a working knowledge of Apple's Logic. |
| MUSI214 | Live Sound | John Holmes | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students are required to have completed introductory courses to sound and/or music technology. They will be expected to be familiar with basic knowledge such as microphone types, signal routing and some basic concepts on physics of sound. |
| MUSI215 | Record Label Marketing, Promotion and Distribution | Holly Tessler | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI216 | Orchestration | Ben Hackbarth | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students must have completed an introductory course in writing for instruments. They should have some experience composing and writing for instruments using notation. Students need to contact the Coordinator with samples of previous work. |
| MUSI217 | Live Improvisation with Ableton | Jonathan Crossley | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. |
| MUSI219 | Musical Cultures from the Early Islamicate Court to the English Reformation | Lisa Colton | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. There are no pre-requisites. Students will find a knowledge of basic musical terminology helpful, but do not need any knowledge of the early historical period in question or its music. |
| MUSI220 | Music, Gender and Sexuality | Freya Jarman | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI230 | Post-Wagnerian Music and Philosophy | Kenneth Forkert-Smith | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Ability to read standard Western notation and familiarity with the history of Western art music in line with Grade B in A-Level Music (or equivalent). |
| MUSI232 | Opera and Politics | Freya Jarman | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. Ability to read standard Western notation in line with Grade B in A-Level Music (or equivalent). |
| MUSI241 | Sound, Technology & Society | Robert Strachan | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI243 | Sound Recording and Production 2 | Liam Carey | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students must have completed an introductory course in Sound Recording. They will be expected to know the basic operation of a recording studio and have practical experience with Avid Pro Tools. |
| MUSI252 | Working in Music Industry | Mathew Flynn | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. Ideally, students will be active music makers or have some experience with music industry activities, such as putting on gigs, blogging, journalism or releasing their own music etc. |
| MUSI261 | Global Pop: Popular Musics of the World | Haekyung Um | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI263 | Contemporary Genres | Robert Strachan | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI270 | Music in World Cinema | Haekyung Um | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI273 | Music in Gaming | Giles Hooper | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI274 | Musical Theatre | Lawrence Davies | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students should have some familiarity with a piano-vocal score. |
| MUSI280 | Exploring Harmony, Chord Progression and Pitch | Kenneth Forkert-Smith | 1 | 15 | Y | Students must have undertaken a comprehensive Year 1 theory at UoL or their home institution module. |
| MUSI290 | Introduction to Music Psychology | Eduardo Coutinho | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI291 | Music in Everyday Life | Eduardo Coutinho | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI303 | Popular Performance Contexts | Simon Stafford | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI308 | Mixed Media Composition | Oliver Carman | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. It is essential that students have used Apple's Logic Software as both assignments require composition to be created using it. Teaching and assignment tasks assume students already have a significant level of experience with the software. |
| MUSI310 | Popular Music Composition 3 | Richard Worth | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students should be able to notate melody and ideally use Sibelius or some other notation software. At least ABRSM Grade 5 in Music Theory is required (the student should contact the module coordinator if not certain regarding qualifications). |
| MUSI313 | Music and the Climate Crisis | Lawrence Davies | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. |
| MUSI314 | Record Label Recording, Production and Project Planning | Holly Tessler | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. MUSI215 is a pre-requisite for this module, therefore international students must demonstrate experience of creative industries and creative labour theory, understanding of record label structure, management, promotion, marketing and branding as well as artist/creative labour management. Students must contact the module convenor before attempting to register for the module. |
| MUSI315 | Record Label Management | Holly Tessler | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. MUSI215 and MUSI314 are pre-requisites for this module, therefore international students must demonstrate experience of creative industries and creative labour theory, understanding of record label structure, management, promotion, marketing and branding as well as artist/creative labour management, and practical experience of A&R/contract negotiation, studio management, studio production/post-production work and project management. Students must contact the module convenor before attempting to register for the module. If students are visiting for the full year, they must register in both MUSI314 and MUSI315. |
| MUSI316 | Advanced Live Sound | John Holmes | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI318 | From Hardware-hacking to Hyper-instruments | Jonathan Crossley | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI319 | Self-Management for the Music Industries | Mathew Flynn | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. Ideally, students will be active music makers or have some experience with music industry activities, such as putting on gigs, blogging, journalism or releasing their own music etc. |
| MUSI320 | Aesthetics of Music | Michael Spitzer | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI322 | Sound Studies | Robert Strachan | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI326 | Art Song | Kenneth Forkert-Smith | 1 | 15 | N (currently suspended) |
Yes. Ability to read standard Western notation in line with Grade B in A-Level Music (or equivalent). |
| MUSI331 | Beethoven's Life and Works | Michael Spitzer | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Ability to read standard Western notation in line with Grade B in A-Level Music (or equivalent). |
| MUSI341 | Jazz | Lawrence Davies | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes. |
| MUSI353 | Curation & Heritage | Marion Leonard | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI370 | The Film Music of John Williams | Giles Hooper | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI380 | Exploring Rhythm, Form and Musical Time | Kenneth Forkert-Smith | 2 | 15 | Y | Students must have undertaken a comprehensive Year 1 theory at UoL or their home institution module. |
| MUSI395 | Independent Project: Classical Performance | Ruth Minton | Academic Year | 30 | Y | Yes. Ability to play an instrument or sing in a classical style (broadly defined) to an appropriate level (at least ABRSM Grade 8 or above, or equivalent) for at least 20 minutes. The requirement can be established via a demonstration recording or audition. |
| MUSI396 | Independent Project: Creative Music Technology | Matthew Fairclough | Academic Year | 30 | Y | Yes. Only for students registered for a full year in Liverpool. Students must also demonstrate a significant level of experience in Music Technology practice. For that, a project proposal must be submitted to the module convenor at the very start of Semester 1 (or before arrival) so that the suitability of the project and supervision can be assessed. |
| MUSI397 | Independent Project: Composition | Ben Hackbarth | Academic Year | 30 | Y | Yes |
| MUSI398 | Independent Project: Popular Performance | Simon Stafford | Academic Year | 30 | Y | Yes. Students must have taken modules on Popular Music performance to enrol in this module. Registration will be conditional: students will have to demonstrate proficiency via a demonstration recording or audition. Students taking this module cannot register for MUSI395. |
| MUSI399 | Independent Project: Research | Sara Cohen | Academic Year | 30 | Y | Yes. Only for students registered for a full year in Liverpool. |
| SOTA101 | Introduction to Game Design Studies | Thomas Owens | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| SOTA102 | Games and Meaning | Rebecca Davnall | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| SOTA103 | Creative Principles in Game Design | Paul Turowski | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| SOTA104 | Spatial Design in Gaming | Thomas Owens | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| SOTA202 | Different Play | Rebecca Davnall | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes |
| SOTA203 | 3D Modelling and Animation for Games | Thomas Owens | 1 | 15 | Y | Yes Students must be able to demonstrate experience using 3D modelling tools (e.g. Blender, Maya) and a 3D game engine (e.g. Unreal Engine, Unity) |
| SOTA204 | Game Design Independent Project | Paul Turowski | 2 | 15 | Y | Yes. Students must be able to demonstrate experience creating content in a chosen pathway—e.g., 3D modelling, sound/music, narrative writing, coding. |
| SOTA207 | Game Design Independent Project YII | Paul Turowski | 2 | 15 7.5 | Y | Yes. Students must be able to demonstrate experience creating content in a chosen pathway—e.g., 3D modelling, sound/music, narrative writing, coding. |
| SOTA303 | Game Design Collaborative Project | Paul Turowski | Academic Year | 30 | Y | Yes. Students must be able to demonstrate experience creating content in a chosen pathway—e.g., 3D modelling, sound/music, narrative writing, coding. |
| SOTA304 | Game Design Collaborative Project A | Paul Turowski | 1 | 30 | Y | Yes. Students must be able to demonstrate experience creating content in a chosen pathway—e.g., 3D modelling, sound/music, narrative writing, coding. |
| SOTA305 | Game Design Collaborative Project B | Paul Turowski | 2 | 30 | Y | Yes. Students must be able to demonstrate experience creating content in a chosen pathway—e.g., 3D modelling, sound/music, narrative writing, coding. |