Music

Degree: Bachelor of Culture and Arts

Degree title: Bachelor of Culture and Arts; Bachelor of Culture and Arts

Credits: 240 ects

Specific admission requirements

The applicant should have previous musical competence and know the basics of music theory. Musical skills and knowledge should be the equivalent of what is required from students graduating from the extended syllabus level of basic education in music.

The degree programme organises a separate entrance exam. In order to succeed in the exam, the applicant should have taken a long-term interest in music or formal music studies, should possess instrumental/vocal skills and proficiency in perceiving music, and should have acquired skills in reading and writing musical notation.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning

Prior learning and/or higher education level studies can be recognized as part of the degree. For more details, see Metropolia’s RPL instructions: https://www.metropolia.fi/en/apply/general-information/manage-your-studies/recognition-of-prior-learning/

Qualification requirements and regulations

The degree requirements and framework are described in the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences degree regulations:
https://www.metropolia.fi/en/apply/general-information/manage-your-studies/academic-information/

Profile of the programme

Students graduating from the Degree Programme in Music at Metropolia have acquired a wide scale of professional competence in popular music and jazz and/or classical music.

Metropolia’s music education offers opportunities for versatile careers from creating and performing music to teaching music and tasks in music production. Music experts graduating from Metropolia generate vibrant music culture and related educational activities.

The strengths of Metropolia’s music education are the wide scale and versatile nature of the curriculum, competent and experienced teaching staff, good courses for internships and professional life, as well as an industry-oriented approach to studying. The students have access to the great selection of jobs, education opportunities and cultural activities of the Helsinki region, as well as Metropolia’s international networks. Furthermore, the student can utilize the multidisciplinary nature of Metropolia and acquire competence in innovation and future skills through projects that bring together different fields of education.

The professional studies in music are implemented in versatile study environments. Depending on the major subject, the main content of the studies consists of soloist instrument skills, ensemble playing skills, music theory and history, music writing, lyric writing and arrangement skills, improvisation, performance, music technology, music production and marketing, pedagogical skills and other communal and social skills for the music industry.

High-profile music experts from both Finland and abroad visit the Degree Programme in Music regularly and teach master classes, clinics and seminars.

The degree in Music Education has two major subjects: 1. Instrument and Vocal Teaching and 2. Early Childhood Music Education and Community Music. The degree title in music pedagogy is Music Educator. The major in music pedagogy is open for both pop & jazz and classical music students.

The Musician’s degree has two major subjects: 1. Music Performance and 2. Music Writing and Production. The musician’s degree is open for popular music & jazz students. The degree title is Musician.

The research and development-based approach to learning emphasizes the student’s ability to plan, implement, evaluate and develop music projects that originate in the industry. The music students gain competence in systematic and customer-oriented development work, as well as learn to acquire, process, produce, apply and take a critical approach to musical proficiency and knowledge.

During their studies the students grow into experts in their own field and members of their professional community.

For further information, see the more detailed descriptions of the major subject in each major’s curriculum.

Key learning outcomes

Upon graduating as Music Educator the student is proficient in various musical and pedagogical work practices, and is an expert in pedagogical interaction. The student understands the broad potential of music education and can justify this to the learner, to communities and to the society. The student gains competence in reflecting on their own activities, team work, and professional interaction within work communities.

Music Educators possess strong skills in musicianship and pedagogy, which are built from the artistic and technical mastery of their own instrument, as well as diverse pedagogical knowledge. Depending on the major subject, they utilize the potential in applied arts and are able to support learning through various different approaches.

Graduating Musicians master a wide range of different genres and their required expression within the field of rhythm music. Depending on the major subject, the focus is on either advanced instrumental and ensemble skills or on the creation, production and technology of music. The studies support the student’s professional growth through diverse courses that develop musical observation and working life skills.

Students graduating from the Degree Programme in Music can search for and peruse information critically, analyse and reflect on their own work and that of others, and express themselves both verbally and in writing. They can produce and interpret notation as well as other graphic and written expressions of music. The students understand the developmental trends in music and can put their own activities into a historical perspective. They can utilize an entrepreneurial attitude in the job sector, and understand the workings of the music industry, copyright law and practices, and the contract and reporting procedures.

Occupational profiles of graduates with examples

Graduates from Metropolia’s Degree Programme in Music work as multidisciplinary musicians or music pedagogues, music writers and experts in the field of music.

Graduating vocal and instrument teachers are qualified to work in music-related tasks on different educational levels, such as instrumental teaching for individuals and groups, coaching ensembles, and teaching subjects on musical perception. The major in Early Childhood Music Education and Community Music provides the graduates with diverse competences in teaching music and the basics of an instrument for all age groups, as well in applied uses of arts in various contexts.

The Music Educator studies provide the graduates with general pedagogical qualifications:
- for teaching the extended syllabus level of basic education in music (music schools, music institutes)
- adult education centers
- vocational music education on the secondary level
- private education.

The instrumentalists and vocalists graduating from the Music Performance major work as performing artists in soloist tasks, as part of an orchestra or band, and by working in the recording studio. The students graduating from the Music Writing and Production major are proficient in music and lyric writing, arranging and music technology, and can work as content providers for the music and multimedia industries, sound designers or managers and producers in music productions.

Access to further studies

The Music Educator’s and Musician’s degrees are higher education degrees, which are the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from a university or a university of applied sciences (Bachelor, ISCED level 6). Graduates of the Degree Programme in Music can seek further education from Finnish and international higher education institutions, in the form of a master’s degree from a suitable art or research university or a master-level degree from a university of applied sciences.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading

The general principles regarding the assessment of courses can be found in the Metropolia degree regulations, and the course-specific assessment criteria are listed in the the course descriptions of the curriculum.

Graduation requirements

In order to graduate, the student is required to have present status and to have completed all the courses included in their university of applied sciences degree (240 pts. ECTS).

Mode of study

The degree programme is 240 ECTS and spans over 4 years of study. The studies are implemented as courses, modules or projects. The studies include contact teaching, independent study and internships. Some of the courses may be organised completely or partially in English.

The studies progress along flexible study paths according to one’s individual study plan. Most of the studies are realised as full-time tuition.

Programme director

Paula Turkkila
Head of School of Cultural Services and Music
PO Box 4042 (Arabiankatu 2, Helsinki)
00079 METROPOLIA
FINLAND
paula.turkkila[at]metropolia.fi

Level of qualification

Bachelor's Degree (First Cycle)

Workplacement(s) and Work-based Learning

The studies are implemented in versatile collaboration with the working life. A total of 30 ECTS is reserved for work placements, and it has been divided into smaller units throughout the study years.

Obligatory or Optional Mobility

The students have the opportunity to go on student exchange during their studies. Music students have a large selection of destinations to choose from in the Erasmus and Nordplus networks, and from the various bilateral agreements outside of Europe. The recommended time for a student exchange is the third year.

Metropolia’s partner institutions:
https://www.metropolia.fi/en/international-relations/partner-institutions/

Several international musicians and music pedagogues visit the Degree Programme in Music at Metropolia for teacher exchange every year. Additionally, international exchange students are a part of the student community in the degree programme.