Music with Enterprise BA

We are one of the largest schools of music in the country, which means you’ll benefit from the impressive range of specialisms within our curriculum, reflecting our ethos that music is music, regardless of genre or style. We attract a diverse body of students from across the UK and internationally, which gives the School a vibrant community and culture. Decolonisation, equality and inclusivity are embedded within our curriculum, so all our students can feel a sense of belonging in the School and can thrive on their course, no matter what their background and musical experience.

In the recent national Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) exercise, 93% of our research was considered to be ‘internationally excellent’ or better in terms of its originality, significance and rigour, with 56% rated as ‘world leading’ – the highest classification. Each of these measures places us within the top 10 Schools of Music in the country based on the REF 2021 results for the subject area. Our staff expertise feeds directly into our curriculum, with specialisms including:

• Applied music psychology

• Black, popular, independent and global musical cultures

• Contemporary and experimental composition

• Electronic and computer music

• Film music

• Historical musicology

• Music analysis

• Music and wellbeing

• Music industry and management

• Music technology in theory and practice

• Musical aesthetics and postcolonialism

• Opera

• Performance and performance practice

• Practice research in music and the arts

• Science and technology studies

Similarly, staff in the CEES have a range of expertise in enterprise and entrepreneurship such as:

• Creative entrepreneurship

• Enterprise policy

• Entrepreneurship in resource-scarce contexts

• Social enterprise

• Sustainable development and entrepreneurship

We work closely with our students, particularly through our active Student Staff Partnership Forum, to ensure that we offer the best possible experience to everyone studying in the School of Music. Our Industrial Advisory Board – an invited body of professionals from across the professional music sector, including several alumni – actively supports the ongoing development of our courses to ensure they deliver the skills and opportunities our students need to prepare them for life after university.

Student enterprise is a key part of the University of Leeds ethos, and there are various opportunities to engage with entrepreneurial practice. The University runs a business start-up service called SPARK, there is an Entrepreneurs Society at Leeds University Union, and budding entrepreneurs can apply for an Enterprise Scholarship to help with start-up costs. The School of Music is part of a strong musical community at the University of Leeds, and there are numerous Leeds University Union (LUU) clubs and societies that offer opportunities to get involved in music and performance activities. The Leeds University Union Music Society (LUUMS) is one of the Union’s largest societies and boasts ten ensembles including orchestras, choirs, brass and wind ensembles, and a composers’ collective. LUUMS is linked to the School of Music as our departmental society, and the School and LUUMS work closely on social events and the promotion of musical opportunities. School of Music students also often participate in other campus-based ensembles, including the Clothworkers Consort of Leeds (led by School of Music staff members) and Student Union performance societies, such as:

• The LUU Big Band

• Various musical theatre, opera and pantomime groups

• Societies focused on jazz and blues, folk, and pop music

• A cappella (unaccompanied) singing

• Electronic music and DJing

The Clothworkers Concert Hall in the School of Music hosts our diverse International Concert Series, and the Students’ Union runs regular gigs and its long-standing Friday evening club night, ‘Fruity’. Beyond the University campus, the city of Leeds provides numerous opportunities to engage with a wide variety of musics at venues including:

• Leeds First Direct Arena, a fixture on the national touring circuit for leading artists and bands

• Leeds Grand Theatre, which routinely presents touring West End musicals, comedy and other shows, and is the home of Opera North (a partner of the University) and Northern Ballet

• Leeds Playhouse, which presents a range of stage musicals and other theatrical productions, several of which then tour nationally

• Leeds Town Hall, home to the Leeds International Concert Season (LICS), which usually features a wide range of international orchestras within its programming. LICS also run various chamber music series at venues including Holy Trinity Church, Leeds Cathedral, and The Venue at Leeds Conservatoire

• O2 Academy Leeds hosts a range of popular-music events including its regular ‘Indie Thursdays’ and ‘PROJEKT’ club nights

• Seven Arts, an independent arts space and a not-for-profit Community Interest Company that presents a range of jazz, popular and light musics within its diverse programme

• The Brudenell Social Club, which hosts events most nights of the week and covers a wide range of musical genres

All these elements combine to make studying Music with Enterprise at the University of Leeds a distinctive and memorable experience that actively supports our students to pursue careers or future study within and beyond music.