UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH

INTERNATIONALE PARTNERSCHAFT FÜR WELTWEITE PERSPEKTIVEN

Absolventen der HSM können an der University of Plymouth (GB) in verkürzter Studienzeit den akademischen Abschluss Bachelor/Master of Music erwerben. Hier ein Kurzportrait unserer Partneruniversität.

Graduates of the HSM can create the academic title Bachelor/Master of Music in reduced duration of study at the University of Plymouth. Here a short introduction of our Partner.

The University of Plymouth is the largest university in the southwest of England, with over 30,000 students and is the fifth largest UK university based on student population. It has around 1000 international students from all over the world. The university is based in the centre of the city and most places can be reached with just ten minutes walk. The University of Plymouth is one of the UK's most prominent and dynamic universities with an educational history dating back to 1862. Consistently ranked as one of the top three modern universities.

 

PLYMOUTH CITY

Plymouth is located in the South West of England, the city has a population of around 250,000 people and 21% of the people are aged between 20 and 43. Plymouth is a city amidst some of Englands most glorious countryside.

It's where a rich maritime heritage meets the bustle of modern commerce and where a popular holiday centre turns at night into a city of entertainment and culture. The city and the countryside that surrounds it on three sides, typify the very best that Britain has to offer. Home to 250,000 people, Plymouth welcomes many visitors and is one of the country's most popular holiday destinations. Plymouth has a long history. The great explorer, Francis Drake, came from Devon and the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America from Plymouth in 1620 in the Mayflower. Sir Walter Raleigh, a famous Elizabethan sea captain, is closely associated with the city. The Barbican alongside the fishing port, is the old centre of Plymouth and has a number of historic buildings. The maritime history of Plymouth is displayed in the famous Plymouth Dome museum. In there you would most likely come across the Eddystone Lighthouse (Smeaton's Tower).

MORE ABOUT YEAR THREE

Students come to us from other colleges (usually from a 2 year ‘Foundation Degree’) in Popular Music (and Jazz), Music Technology, Western Music, and join with our own year 3 students. The aim in year 3 is to support students in developing their own autonomy and exploring their musical essence. From the outset we feel that ‘the cellist and the rock guitarist should be able to have a good musical conversation......’ recognising and respecting (delighting in!) their similarities and also their differences. By year 3 they will have a sense of themselves as perhaps performers, composers or critical researchers and consumers (ie they know about music and can articulate their knowledge, understanding and opinions). There will be some choice in year 3 modules and also the opportunity to make links between some of them, thus enabling students to focus on their own musical personality and area of unique specialism. But we also think there is time in year 3 for us to teach you more, to expand your awareness and understanding and to help you present yourself with an eye towards your future career. In year 3 you will not receive individual instrumental tuition as part of the fee, but you will bring your musicianship and practical skills to the modules to help you to define your presentations, applications and musical portfolios. Students take 120 ‘credits’ in the academic year.

20 credit modules include choices of:

- Performance
- Composition
- World music / ethnomusicology (including workshops, research and discussions
- music psychology (including music therapy / music in the community/music and special needs)
- Living Traditions (investigating the wide range of contemporary musical forms and trends)

A year-long (40 credit) project which can either be submitted as a written critical research dissertation of up to 12,000 words or alternatively it can take the form of a practical project to include a critical written supporting element. Examples as so wide-ranging but you will choose your project by discussing with a tutor a range of your ideas before developing and refining them to a sophisticated level with support and guidance when you need. Some students may wish to steer their research towards a study which will inform them as to their chosen career path; others might wish to develop and apply their own skills and awareness as an artist and an emerging professional.

It is important to emphasise that in coming together with students from many musical backgrounds you will have opportunities to both learn from each other and maybe incorporate their skills and styles but also to address the modules in your own unique way. One advantage of joining such a varied group is the opportunity for you to broaden your horizons and musical persona.

Our recent move to the Plymouth University campus brings the Music department to the heart of the city, and this presents opportunities for you to be influenced by, and to influence, the vibrant and varied musical and artistic scene. ‘Peninsula Arts’ is the interface between university and city and generates a stimulating programme of events throughout the year. We work closely with its director and indeed staff and students frequently make their contributions. There are also opportunities to study and attend research seminars offered by the International Centre for Computer Music Research where you might consider your potential for furthering your studies to Masters or even PhD level. Alternatively we offer several one-year postgraduate courses (PGCE) which qualify you to teach in schools and colleges specialising in various age ranges. Additionally there are several institutions in Plymouth with whom we are developing close links, and with whom you might seek to gain experience in the potential uses of music with people who have a range of special needs.

INDUCTION FOR NEW STUDENTS FROM HAMBURG

During your first few weeks you will receive a general introduction to University-wide services and facilities, including the library, computing and students union. You will also be able to explore Plymouth city and see the variety of shops, pubs and music scenes. Once you have enrolled with the University and obtained your student ID you will be able to register for your computing account, which gives access to networked services including the internet, email, a wide variety of software packages and on-line databases and journals. After registering and induction, you will meet with your music tutor to discuss the specific interests and needs that you have in music and how these can best be accommodated within your modules. Your final submissions will be completed by mid-May; results will be published by the beginning of July and your graduation ceremony (where you will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts [BA] Honours) will take place later in the year.

FINDING ACCOMMODATION IN PLYMOUTH

The university tries hard to place international students with good accommodation and understands the difficulties of getting accommodation when studying in a different country. Students usually find accommodation through the contacting university office via their website on www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp please click on International students. The office finds and allocates different types of accommodation according to the needs of the student. Some stay in the universities halls of residence on the university, some stay in people’s homes as a paying guest, others stay in rooms in a shared student house and others have small apartments for themselves.

Each of them costs a different amount, be clear as to the accommodation that you require. All are usually no more than 15 or 20 minutes walk from the university, others are much closer. The costs and address are mailed to the student after applying, but this year’s students are paying on average, around £75 a week. You will be expected to sign a contract for the duration of your course, but individual details (such as end date) can often be negotiated. Accommodation is usually near bus or train routes, but Plymouth is quite condensed, so nowhere is too far to walk. It’s also greener!