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Foundation Degree in Church Music


Introduction

The RSCM and Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) have come together in a collaboration intended to support and develop the work of church musicians.

The Foundation Degree in Church Music is rooted firmly in practical, work-based study, much of which is done in your own place of worship, whilst online materials and residential study schools provide the academic core of the course. The RSCM’s network of practising church musicians will provide tutorial support and mentoring at home, and CCCU – a Church of England Foundation with a specialism in Church Music – will offer residential study schools to give you the specialist knowledge and understanding which underpins music for worship.

The RSCM will also award the AdvDipRSCM to members of the RSCM who complete the foundation degree.

Now open to applications to begin study in September 2012

 

Here's what some of our current students have to say about the course:

"The Study Weeks are a great start to the term for all of us, perhaps struggling with a degree of isolation in being a church musician at home, and they are especially fun now we are getting to know each other better." 

"The provision of an RSCM Mentor has been a real asset; he has given me valuable support and encouragement."

"Inspired by a very special service of Compline which the group sang in Canterbury Cathedral during a Residential Study School, I have now gained agreement from my Vicar to instigate and lead a monthly sung service of Compline in my own church."

"It has been very valuable to work together with input from cathedral musicians and clergy, and University chaplaincy.   Such debate and collaboration not only informs our studies, but builds a new confidence in dealing with issues of music and liturgy."

 

NB: This course replaced the Sacred Music Studies course, run with Bangor University, in 2011.

Photo: Peter Cook

About the course

Duration

Two years full-time, or four years part-time.

Content and Structure

The course has a very simple structure of four or five modules per year, adding up to 120 credits per year for full-time study. Part-time students will complete 240 credits in four years.

1st Year (HE Level 4)
Ministry and Worship 1 (20 credits)
Music and Liturgy 1 (20 credits)
Church Music Management (20 credits)
Project 1 (20 credits)
Practical Church Musicianship 1 (40 credits)

2nd Year (HE Level 5)
Ministry and Worship 2 (20 credits)
Music and Liturgy 2 (20 credits)
Project 2 (40 credits)
Practical Church Musicianship 2 (40 credits)

Study schools

Each module will be supported by a study school at Canterbury Christ Church University. These will be excellent opportunities to meet new people with a common interest, particularly for part-time students. It’s in these study schools that Canterbury will come into its own: whilst you will use the university facilities extensively, you will also spend time in the Cathedral, with opportunities to sing Compline in the Cathedral Crypt, to watch open rehearsals of the Cathedral Choir and to attend sung Evensong. 

It is hoped that students will have chances to come into contact with CCCU's visiting professors and honorary fellows, including Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and Paul Patterson – two of the world’s leading living composers. CCCU is also the leading provider of training for the lay ministry in south-east England, and the study schools will capitalise on this enormous depth of expertise.

Students at the first FDCM study school, September 2011

Students singing in Canterbury Cathedral, September 2011

Tutorial support

During the academic year (October-June), university tutors are only a phone call or an email away, and much of the study will be done using the university’s online resources.  You will have access to CCCU's Virtual Learning Environment, and also the Music Department's E-Library which includes the Grove Online Dictionary of Music and the Naxos CD library online.

Mentoring and support in your own place of worship will be provided throughout the year by the RSCM's network of experienced church musicians around the country.

RSCM mentors, October 2011, with Chris Price (front row, centre) and Sue Snell (front row, right)

Find out more

Visit CCCU's website to find out more about the course, the Music Department, and being a student at the university:

If you require further information or cannot discover what you need on the CCCU website please contact the RSCM Education team for further advice: 01722 424843 or education(at)rscm.com.

Fees

The fees for the Foundation Degree in Church Music are set by Canterbury Christ Church University. The fee structure for 2012/13 entrants from the UK and EU is:

Full time students: £6,000
Part time students: £3,000

Please be aware that fees do not cover accommodation costs associated with the Study Schools which take place three times a year ahead of each module and which form an obligatory part of the programme.

Entry requirements and how to apply

Full-time study: Applications for full-time places on the course should be made via UCAS. Applicants will normally need 120 UCAS tariff points acquired by taking AS/A2 levels, AVCE/GNVQ, BTEC or other equivalent qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate, or Scottish and Irish Highers. Candidates without the equivalent UCAS tariff points may be eligible for the Foundation Degree given previous relevant experience. The process of acceptance may involve an individual interview and audition, though this will depend on individual circumstances.

Please note the application deadline (15 January) for UCAS - go to UCAS website here.

Part-time study: Applications for a part-time place should be made using the form available on the CCCU website and returned to Student Recruitment at the University.

Details of the church where you will be based and carry out the practical aspects of your studies will also be required before acceptance on the course as a full-time or part-time student.

The course is now open for applications to begin study in September 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to UK Border Agency regulations, we regret we are unable at this stage to consider applications from anyone outside the European Economic Area. We are, however, keeping this under review; please let us know of your interest by writing to education(at)rscm.com and we will let you know if this situation changes.