Performing arts and music

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School of Arts and Digital Industries

uel.ac.uk

Flexibility, professionalism and artistic rigour

Performing Arts and Music



Welcome The School of Arts and Digital Industries at the University of East London (UEL) is a forward thinking school in the thriving artistic, cultural hot bed of east London. The school has a great breadth of academic activity from a wide variety of disciplines which will provide a unique flavour to your experience at UEL. Our academic staff create a diverse and innovative learning environment that will not only challenge you, but also expose you to a rich mix of culture and knowledge. The school is supported by excellent technical and administrative support staff and courses are taught in purpose-built facilities to ensure you have a full suite of resources available to you throughout your study. The school is committed to maintaining high standards in all areas. We have excellent engagement with industry, and cultural and community organisations across London and beyond. You will be able to develop your creative skills, collaborate across disciplines, have access to exciting projects and work placements and complete a qualification that will offer you great employment opportunities for the future.

Simon Robertshaw Dean of the School of Arts and Digital Industries


Perform and Mu Flexibility, professionalism and artistic rigour are at the heart of everything we do in performing arts and music at the University of East London (UEL), where we offer groundbreaking undergraduate and postgraduate courses in music, theatre and dance. Our courses are not just all-singing, all-dancing, all-performing triumphs. They’re all-embracing too, bringing our talented music, drama and urban dance students together with east London’s vibrant creative world in unique and exciting collaborations.

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Undergraduate courses BA (Hons) Dance: Urban Practice UCAS code: W590 / Points: 320 There is no course quite like this one anywhere in the country. It was the first of its kind back in 2007, when it immediately became a dramatic, vibrant alternative to the limited scope of traditional dance degrees. Our undergraduate courses allow you to develop your passion and skills and prepare you for your future career.

Now it has grown into a hugely popular, internationally acclaimed course that will give you the chance to study, choreograph, practise and perform dance from around the world. It’s been widely imitated but our course is the original – and we reckon we’re still the best! Whether it is popping or locking, contemporary, ballet or capoeira, afro-house or bharata natyam, our course draws its heart and inspiration from London’s international culture. Hip-hop, club, social and popular street-created styles, contemporary techniques from across Europe, Africa and Asia… no dance is left undanced. You’ll perform in showcases, produce festivals and develop research ideas. We’re encouraging our students to become the choreographic, creative and intellectual future

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of dance by developing dynamic approaches to thinking about and practising their passion. We help create dance all-rounders. So you’ll theorise dance, create dance, collaborate in dance… and, well, you just dance. Like never before.

BA (Hons) Drama, Applied Theatre and Performance UCAS code: W442 / Points: 280 Of all the university courses that study the dramatic arts, none is as different, stimulating and engaging as ours. That’s because UEL’s Drama, Applied Theatre and Performance course is enriched by a unique interaction between our drama and theatre students and our vibrant local community. Applied Theatre seeks change by bringing about new ways of thinking about the world. Applied Theatre often happens outside of the traditional theatre; in the community, street, schools, day centres, and prisons. Applied theatre seeks to create theatre and performance with a diverse range of people and community groups who might not normally have access to the arts. Your studies will have a practical core as you develop your


performance projects to make connections with a range of diverse groups within educational settings and the wider community. One minute you could be involved in intensive studio-based work at our new, £33 million University Square Stratford building. The next, you could be working on projects beyond the University and in the community with our professional partners such as the Theatre Royal Stratford East and the Half Moon Theatre Company. You’ll be developing your knowledge and understanding of different cultures through theatre, as well your ability to think critically, analyse arguments and write intelligently. And our study abroad option will give you the chance to develop your artistic skills and gain an international perspective on theatre at the same time.

BA (Hons) Music Performance and Production UCAS code: WJ39 / Points: 280 This course allows you to develop specialist skills in music production, song writing, performance and sound design, underpinned by theoretical aspects of music history, culture and the business of music. This unique blend of practical and cultural study explores instrumental and computer-based music making while giving you the opportunity to learn more about music. You will combine audio production and contemporary music composition, and develop writing skills. This course is taught by internationally known producers,

composers, theorists and performers within our brandnew campus, University Square Stratford (USS). USS houses ÂŁ750,000 of specialist equipment, purpose built recording studios, post-production suites and rehearsal and performance areas.

BSc (Hons) Music Technology UCAS code: J930 / Points: 280 BSc (Hons) Music Technology is a cutting edge course that prepares musicians and producers for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century. The degree provides you with a dynamic mix of modules in studio production and sound design, as well as the opportunity to develop key skills in music software production, working and recording alongside songwriters and instrumentalists. You also study music history, technology and culture.

BA (Hons) Performing Arts UCAS code W456 / Points 280 This exciting, contemporary focused course responds to the creative industry demands of today by developing graduates as multiskilled artists, creative producers and practitioners. You will experience an innovative performing arts experience by working collaboratively and creatively with your peers who may be musicians, dancers, and performers. You will create performances, produce events, and develop yourself as a creative practitioner; whilst championing entrepreneurship, professional engagement, and cultural awareness through partnerships with arts organisations, commercial companies, and artists NB: This course is subject to validation.


Postgraduate courses

Enhance your career with industryled Master’s courses at the University of East London. Our Master’s courses are enriched by international networks and industry collaborations which enhance your knowledge and skills.

MA Acting

MA Contemporary Performance Practices

The Master’s degree in acting is a groundbreaking professional training course for those who wish to develop their acting informed by a critical understanding of theatre and performance.

An exciting, contemporary focused, masters level course that responds to the creative industry demands of today by developing artists who will graduate as multi-skilled creative producers and practitioners.

In collaboration with MA Theatre Directing the course provides an emphasis on producing professional-standard theatre work that engages with current approaches in theatre and performance making.

This interdisciplinary based course is for artists and practitioners wanting to develop innovative artistic practice and are interested in cultural leadership.

The course is taught in highspecification performance spaces at University Square Stratford by a dedicated team of academics, all of whom have experience of professional practice. Each year a professional theatre company mentors the Staging Performance module, giving you an understanding of both the process and of the logistics of performance. The MA runs full-time or parttime and is open to those with professional as well as academic experience. It takes place in the evenings to enable access to those with work or family commitments.

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The course offers a practicebased approach that works across traditional disciplines of drama, music and dance, and applied/ community based practices. We welcome applications from those with specialisms in any of the following; theatre, dance, music or applied performance. The programme is delivered in twilight and evening sessions so we are able to welcome those with work and daytime responsibilities. NB: This course is subject to validation.


MA Theatre Directing

MA Performing Arts

MA Theatre Directing provides the opportunity for those who wish to develop their theatre directing practice through an active engagement with critical thinking about performance.

This exciting, contemporary focused course responds to the creative industry demands of today by developing graduates as multiskilled artists, creative producers and practitioners. Â

In collaboration with the MA Acting, the course provides an emphasis on producing professional-standard theatre work that engages with current approaches in theatre and performance making.

You will experience an innovative performing arts experience by working collaboratively and creatively with your peers who may be musicians, dancers, and performers.

The course is taught in highspecification performance spaces at University Square Stratford by a dedicated team of academics, all of whom have experience of professional practice. Each year a professional theatre company mentors the Staging Performance module, giving you an understanding of both the process and the logistics of performance.

You will create performances, produce events, and develop yourself as a creative practitioner; whilst championing entrepreneurship, professional engagement, and cultural awareness through partnerships with arts organisations, commercial companies, and artists.

The MA runs full-time or parttime and is open to those with professional as well as academic experience. It takes place in the evenings to allow access to those with work or family commitments.

NB: This course is subject to validation.


Resources and facilities The performing arts and music facilities at USS include: Multi-purpose studios, which have professional-grade dance floors, mirrors, ballet bars and high-quality lighting, HD video and sound infrastructure.

Performing arts, dance and music courses are taught at our brand new building at University Square Stratford. Located in Stratford’s thriving cultural quarter, USS is close to all major transport links, with Westfield shopping centre close by.

The Black Box studio, a professional theatre production space. Equipped beyond industry standards with high-quality lighting, sound and HD video infrastructure, the Black Box studio is acoustically treated and has a sprung dance floor. Recording studios, the spacious live rooms contain a Boston GP-218 concert grand piano, Yamaha Motif 8 synthesiser workstation, Yamaha Stage Custom drum kit and various percussion instruments. Control Room A, kitted out with Apple Mac Pro with Logic Studio 2, Avid Pro Tools 10, Abelton Suite 8 and Waves Diamond plugins, Native Instruments Maschine 1.8, Novation Impulse 25 USB/MIDI keyboard controller, Euphonix MC Mix and MC Control v2 control surfaces, giving a total of 12 available faders, 2x Focusrite Octopre MkII 8 channel microphone pre-amplifiers with a total of 16 mic/line inputs, MOTU 2408 MK3 24 channel digital audio interface and PMC TB2 transmission-line monitor loudspeakers.

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Control Room B, which houses our advanced Pro Tools Suite: Apple Mac Pro with Avid Pro Tools|HDX 10, Logic Studio 2, Abelton Suite 8 and Waves Diamond Plugins, Native Instruments Maschine 1.8, Novation Impulse 25 USB/MIDI keyboard controller, Avid HD I/O audio interface, Avid C|24 24 fader control surface with 16 microphone pre-amplifiers, Universal Audio 6176 valve channel strip (microphone pre-amplifier, EQ and compressor/ limiter) and Genelec 8040A active monitor loudspeakers. You can also enjoy access to seven practice rooms and an equipment store with a large array of musical instruments and recording equipment for hire. Computer Labs, two Mac labs with iMac workstations. The software is standardised and consists of the usual suite of MS Office applications, Adobe CS6 suite, Apple Final Cut Pro 7 and Logic Pro 9 as well as Pro Tools 10 and Ableton Live 8. The PC Lab has 16 seats and runs the 3D Studio Max and Unity for computer game development. All labs feature a projector and a high-quality sound system.



Shows and performances

Students regularly take part in public performances and shows, and our annual showcase events – Fuel and the Coll!de Dance Festival – where we celebrate and enjoy a range of performance work from all our performance courses.

Showcase events include diverse and engaging live performances, film, music and readings created by our undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research students, each underpinned by our commitment to community engagement, internationalism and placing the role of artists centre stage.

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Profile Snezhina Duevska Music Performance and Production Student

Snezhina Duevska (aka Snow) is part of Bulgarian band No Frames and in her last year of a degree in Music Performance and Production at UEL. “I really want to learn as much as I can about music. Our lecturers are great, they are introducing us to the constantly changing music industry at the same time they give us artistic freedom and support in attempts to find ourselves through music.” This year she is hoping to undertake a work placement as part of her course as well as start up a regular session to perform with other UEL students. “The students and staff are very kind and always willing to help you. I mentioned my plans to my tutor and she said she would support me to set this up.”

The facilities for Performing Arts students are amazing. It’s a good place to be!

Snow is also looking forward to the release of her first album Positive Manipulation which will be released next summer. The album features songs in English and in Bulgarian. Snow lived on campus in her first year and is now studying at the brand new campus; University Square Stratford (USS). “The facilities at UEL are great. Docklands feels like a little piece of heaven in East London where you can find privacy. University Square Stratford is more urban but the facilities for Performing Arts students are amazing. It’s a good place to be!”


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10 reasons you’ll be glad you came to UEL

19,000 current students from 120 different nationalities. The best years of your life, at university you’ll meet people of all ages and from all backgrounds, making friends that will last a lifetime.

3,400 free Samsung tablets given to new undergraduate students in 2015. Letting you learn more flexibly, you will receive a free tablet pre-loaded with your core e-textbooks.

£2m worth of scholarships and bursaries awarded each year. You will benefit from our generous financial support for students.

26 sports clubs and over 60 societies. You’ll have fun with plenty of time to pursue your passions outside of formal learning whether they are for a subject, a hobby or cause.

5 dedicated funding schemes to help you develop personally and professionally. Through our Going Global, Global Scholars, London Scholars, Civic Engagement Fund and Civic Engagement Scholarship, you’ll have opportunities to broaden your horizons by travelling abroad as part of your course or by bidding for funding to undertake community or studyrelated projects at home or overseas.

17% of our research rated world leading, the highest possible ranking, and a further 45% internationally excellent. You will be inspired by academic staff who are passionate about their subjects and learning more through ground-breaking research they will share with you.

10 top skills employers want. You’ll develop the leadership and professional skills to give you the edge in the job market - verbal communication, teamwork, commercial awareness, research and analysis, initiative/self motivation, drive, written communication, planning and organisation, flexibility and time management

84% of our students feel their course has developed them personally. You’ll have your mind stretched, your eyes opened and we’ll help you redefine your limits.

87% of our graduates in work or further study after six months. You’ll gain an academic qualification that will help you find the rewarding career you’ve dreamed about – both in terms of fulfilment and earning power.

86,000 alumni. You’ll gain lifelong membership of a global community of alumni across the globe.


How to apply Undergraduate applications All applications for full-time undergraduate courses starting in September are made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions System (UCAS). UCAS offers a secure, web-based application system which allows you to track your application. To register for UCAS, please go to www.ucas.com and follow the step-by-step guide. You will need the University of East London institution code which is E28.

Postgraduate applications Visit uel.ac.uk and search for the course you wish to apply for. Use the How to Apply section to apply directly using UEL’s secure online form.

Applicant Enquiries Tel: +44 (0)20 8223 3333  /  Email: study@uel.ac.uk

facebook.com/universityofeastlondon  @uel_news  youtube.com/videouel uel.ac.uk/adi © University of East London Second edition This publication has been prepared some months before the academic year to which it relates, and whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy at the time of going to press, its ongoing accuracy cannot be guaranteed. In particular, we are constantly developing and improving the courses, modules and options described in the publication, and we reserve the right to modify or discontinue them. No part of this publication is to be construed as an offer or the basis of any agreement between UEL and an individual.


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