MA Songwriting (Online)

Your curriculum will cover the broad range of skills required of Songwriters in today’s music industry: 

Songwriting (3 Modules)  

There are three modules in the core Songwriting subject area that sit at the heart of the programme: Songwriter’s Toolbox, Songwriting to a Brief, Songwriting Portfolio. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of Songwriting techniques, a systematic and personalised approach to your work, and a professional approach to the art of commercial songwriting through regularly creating, performing and critiquing work.  

Songwriter’s Toolbox will develop your technical artistry in lyric writing, employing poetic devices and storytelling, and exploring established processes such as ‘destination writing’, cut-up technique, and hook writing. Pairing this with your learning from the Musicianship module, you will convey meaning, emotion, and storytelling through your songs with confidence and originality. 

Songwriting to a Brief replicates the demands that will be placed on you as a professional songwriter. Working in partnership, you will create effective, compelling and commercially viable material. To achieve this, you will engage with examples, taking an analytical approach to further your own writing skills. 

Songwriting Portfolio applies your learning from completed modules. You will create a professional standard portfolio of songs, and evaluate your work and the processes that informed your creative output. 

This module will include three masterclasses led by world leaders in the discipline, in addition to your scheduled classes and individual tuition.  

Musicianship for Song (Two Modules) 

Musicianship for Song enhances your craft by deepening your understanding of melody, harmony, rhythm, and form. Cultivating aural and transcription skills, you will analyse popular music repertoire to then apply and shape your own work. 

Songwriting Repertoire and Context 

You will develop skills in analysing songs from western and non-western traditions. Delving into reception theory, semiotics and critical perspectives, you will research, investigate and discuss songs’ meanings and socio-political contexts. This will enable you to place your own portfolio in a wider socio-political and personal context, and foster deep meaning in your work. 

Music Production for Songwriters 

Music Production 1 and Music Production 2 are designed to progressively enhance your skills in music production, moving from intermediate concepts to advanced techniques. The module is structured to prepare you for creating industry-standard recordings, leveraging modern production environments that range from mobile set-ups, such as laptops, to home studios equipped with various DAWs. This module offers the opportunity to create a professional portfolio, transforming initial song ideas into refined productions; a skill that is highly sought by publishers, record labels and industry representatives. 

Industry Studies (Four Modules) 

Industry Studies prepares you for a career in music as an emerging and professional songwriter. Through its four components, you will gain a comprehensive understanding and the skills to release and publish work to a professional standard.  

Contracts for the Singer Songwriter contextualises the role of a Singer Songwriter within the contemporary commercial music industry; this short course will prepare you with the nascent commercial skills and understanding to forge a sustainable career in both contemporary and future commercial landscapes.  

You will interrogate current legal and commercial models across the contemporary music industry, and negotiate commercial agreements relating to the current and best practice song writing, production licensing, and rights management agreements.   

Brands, Trends and Audiences explores the intersection of personal branding, audience engagement, and market trends in the music industry, with a focus on the evaluation of emerging branding trends across the world of popular music. You will evaluate how you can cultivate your brand identity to align with audience expectations and commercial opportunities. The course will delve into strategic brand positioning, digital marketing innovations, and audience analytics to equip you with the skills to manage and evolve your brand as a business. 

Contracts for the Singer Songwriter delves into the strategies and analytics behind music release and promotion in the digital age. It covers the use of algorithms on social media and streaming platforms, the critical role of metadata in visibility and discovery, and effective release strategies. The short course also examines various release models including 360-degree deals, self-releasing, and hybrid structures, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of digital promotion and marketing in today’s competitive music marketplace. 

Research Lab  

You will explore a range of research processes and methodologies, developing your reflective, innovative and collaborative skills. This will prepare you for further postgraduate study should you wish to pursue this, and provide you with the tools to be resourceful and mindful in your creative process. 

Personal Specialism Project 

You will undertake an individual project exploring an area of your musical interest or songwriting practice. There are three project strands, all of which develop learning gained in the Research Lab module.  

Performance Project 

You will create a performance of your original material, together with a critical and reflective commentary.  

Research Project 

Using a distinct research methodology, you will explore an area of interest in music and the music industry. This can be submitted in a variety of formats such as audio, audio-visual recordings, an online documentary, dissertation, or website. 

Workplace Project 

You will experience the workings of a music-based organisation, individual performing ensemble, or gigging and touring, evidencing your learning through a critical and reflective diary and report. You will identify and arrange this with a suitable organisation yourself. 

• A degree, or equivalent training and/or professional experience is normally required. For entry, applicants are normally expected to hold a good pass in a BA, BMus (Hons) or equivalent qualification. The programme welcomes applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree but can demonstrate equivalent previous study and/or experience. Applicants without a degree will be required to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning to demonstrate suitability for postgraduate study.

• Considerable professional experience in songwriting and/or performance settings, which should normally be current or in the last three years.

• (for International Students) IELTS Academic 6.5 in all areas.

Applicants to the programme are required to apply through UCAS Conservatoires (course code 815F). Upon application applicants are invited by the Trinity Laban admissions team to commence the online audition and interview process.

Selection onto the programme is subject to a two-step process.

1. Assessment of Songwriting – materials to be uploaded to Embark

• Portfolio of three songs (to include at least one video of the applicant performing)
• Spoken introduction. Talk about yourself and why you would like to do the course, your musical ambitions and approaches to songwriting.

Applicants are required to upload a portfolio of three original songs written and composed. At least one of the songs must be a performed by the applicant. It is important to present supplementary lyric sheets, scores, and screenshots of production techniques (where appropriate). Two of the works may be performed by somebody else and one work may be co-written (these must be fully credited and state the roles played in creating the material). In addition to the portfolio, applicants are required to record a 3-minute video statement describing why they wish to study songwriting and their suitability for the programme.

2. Interview (if selected, following a review of the submitted materials).

Applicants will be asked to discuss their portfolio and their sources of inspiration, processes and techniques. It is an opportunity to research ideas and discuss musical identity and to articulate career goals. We will also be able to discuss technical capability and preparation for online learning.

For information on the application process, see Music Auditions.