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When considering which course to study at university, many prospective students may feel torn between following their passion for making music and choosing a subject that’s going to earn them money. Well, now you can do both with the School of Arts and Creative Industries at Edinburgh Napier University.

Whether your musical talent is singing, playing an instrument, or composing new pieces, you’ll fit right in with the BMus (Hons) Music and BA (Hons) Popular Music programmes at Edinburgh Napier, specifically designed to help you hone your musical talents from intermediate ability to a real-world, professional level. Through an innovative blend of traditional and contemporary teaching methods, Edinburgh Napier is guaranteed to help you achieve this.

The university is located in the ideal location for cultivating creativity. Edinburgh not only appreciates the creative-type, but welcomes them in with open arms. In fact, thanks to the success of the strategy set by the City of Edinburgh Council, an additional £120,000 has been allocated towards the creative industries. This, paired with Edinburgh’s status as a world-leading festival city, makes Edinburgh Napier University the ideal place of study for aspiring musicians.

Starting to sound like music to your ears? Good, because the tunes are about to get even sweeter! Let’s take a look at what the benefits Edinburgh Napier’s music programmes can provide:

One-on-one attention

Got a little stage fright? No problem! For 16 or 24 credit hours each year (depending on specialism selected), you’ll meet with an assigned vocal, instrumental, or composition tutor based in your area of expertise. Your tutor will be a specialist and a professional in the industry, equipped with the capability to help you develop your unique skill. You’ll build a rapport with your assigned tutor, who you’ll be able to confide in and discuss specific goals. Your professor can also create a programme based on your specific needs, allowing you to learn at your own pace and constantly strive for improvement.

Quality instruction from a top-ranking university

The School of Arts and Creative Industries at Edinburgh Napier is good at what they do – so good, in fact, that they’ve earned a reputation as one of the top 5 modern universities for their delivery of music programmes by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016. This comes as no surprise given the well-balanced mix of educational approaches they utilise: one-on-one tuition, performances, workshops, seminars, independent studies and guest lectures delivered by experienced industry professionals. Students are also given opportunities for interdisciplinary work with fellow students from other Napier creative pathways. Perhaps this is why many of ENU’s global music graduates receive awards for their talents.

A comprehensive education in the art of music

Practice makes perfect, but practice plus information can make you a master. In addition to your performance courses, you’ll also learn about the psychology, history, culture, technology and business of music. Not only will this hone your skills as a performer or composer, it will also provide you with a wholesome understanding of your particular passion.

The invaluable skills needed for a career in the music industry and beyond

Many music graduates of Edinburgh Napier go on to secure careers in anything from performance and composition to music management and education. Your degree can also provide you with the opportunity to pursue roles in the fields of music therapy and community music. But Edinburgh Napier knows the skills you’ll learn during your music course can also transfer to other creative industries, giving you a unique advantage in your future employment ventures.

A renewed passion for the craft

If you have a passion for music and want to mold that into a career, Edinburgh Napier University is prepared to help you achieve that dream. The University knows how important music is to both community and society at large, and as a world-class institution, seeks to nurture creative endeavours. The city itself is renowned for having the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, boasting over 50,000 performances each and every year! And this is just one of 12 annual arts festivals taking place in a vibrant city that thrives off creativity. Students are free to take part in these much-loved festivals, providing them with invaluable practical experience before they enter the competitive industry.

Sure, the music programmes at Edinburgh Napier has a lot to brag about: top-class rankings, unique opportunities for both education and experience, and a prime location for refining hobbies into professional careers. But Napier strives to keep two key forces at the core of their renowned music programmes: community and creativity. These ideals are at the heart of everything the course hopes to accomplish, and are evident both inside and outside of the classroom environment.

Want to find out more information about the music programmes at Edinburgh Napier? Check out a full course listing, application requirements, fees, and more at either the Popular Music or BMus course description pages. You can also use the form on the page to get in touch with a music faculty member if you have specific questions.

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All images courtesy of Edinburgh Napier University

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