Film Music (Online)

10-week Online Credit-Rated Short Course

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Overview

This class will be taught online using MS Teams – you can take part from the comfort of your own home from anywhere in the world!

This module explores the use of music and sound in film, examining how music can create meaning beyond the image. By exploring a range of film genres you will develop a broad understanding of techniques, themes and issues in audiovisual studies.

This course is for you if:

you are interested in exploring the relationship between music and film;
you are keen to work within the Film/TV industry as a composer or musician;
you are looking to expand you understanding of music/sound in a new context.

This course will be run online via Microsoft Teams. Places on this course are limited and are by application.

Module content

Classes will explore a range of issues in music for film and television, situating these in the context of audiovisual theory and literature. Classes are based on discussion: there is set reading before each session to prepare for this, and further reading post-session to consolidate and develop ideas. Class discussion will focus on ‘reading’ and interpreting relationships between sound, narrative and image, with reference to concepts in audiovisual theory and literature.

This module will take place over MS Teams. The sessions will take the form of class discussions of clips (available prior to the class in OneDrive) in relation to key concepts in music for moving image, learning about and applying audiovisual analysis techniques to films and using breakout spaces to have discussions with your classmates to analyse the examples.

Requirements

Computer or tablet with ability to access MS Teams, with webcam and microphone capability;
Good-quality Headphones (preferable);
Internet Access.

Assessment

You will be assessed through the submission of a 10-minute video presentation examining the use of music/sound in a film of your choosing, accompanied by a short (1,000 word) critical commentary contextualising your ideas with reference to concepts covered in class. You will receive one overall grade for your submission.

Please see Course Outline for further information regarding the course and assessment.

Funding

Please see Financial Support for details of available support and how to apply.

The important details

Age:
16+

Cost:
£260

Date
22 January - 26 March 2026

Time:
Thursdays, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Venue:
Online

This module is for you, if:

you are interested in exploring the relationship between music and film;
you are keen to work within the Film/TV industry as a composer or musician;
you are looking to expand you understanding of music/sound in a new context.

Your application is subject to approval.

Please make sure you fully complete the Reason for Joining and Experience sections in the application form. You may be contacted if we need further information, this is to make sure that you are on the right course for you.

If there are any questions in advance of applying, these should be sent to credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk

You will need access to a device such as a desktop computer, laptop or tablet which allows you to access the internet with a screen large enough to see the group members during online sessions.

You will need internet connection which is fast enough to take part in video sessions on MS Teams and to watch film footage.

You may also want to consider whether you have a space you can use where you can work without interruption. Please keep in mind that the other students taking part in the course will be able to see what’s behind you when you are online.

Before applying all applicants should ensure that they have:

Computer or tablet with ability to access Teams, with webcam and microphone capability;
Internet Access;

Although we will have details and support for using MS Teams, we recommend familiarising yourself with Teams ahead of starting the course.

Any course specific preparation will be sent to successful applicants ahead of the course start date.

Module Content

Module Aims

to introduce a range of film music techniques and functions
to explore the relationships between music, sound and moving image
to develop students’ critical tools for evaluating audiovisual relationships in film
to introduce fundamental concepts in audiovisual theory

Assessment

There are three learning outcomes for the Film Music module:

LO1 – Identify and analyse the ways in which music and sound support an audiovisual narrative

LO2 – Use concepts from audiovisual literature to discuss the relationships between sonic, visual and narrative
elements

LO3 – Structure, express and present work effectively.

You will submit a 10 minute video presentation on a film music topic of your choice (see Moodle for details). This should be accompanied by a short (1,000 word) critical commentary contextualizing your ideas with reference to concepts from relevant literature.

Assessors will look for:

An analytical approach to assessing relationships between music, image and narrative [LO1]
careful selection of evidence appropriate to the topic [LO1]
effective application of audiovisual concepts and associated vocabulary from relevant literature to your
discussion [LO2]
the development of logical arguments [LO3]
clear spoken and written style with appropriate academic referencing [LO3]

Please email credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk is you have any questions regarding the course.

Credit-rated short courses are designed in accordance with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

The course consists of 20 contact hours as well as additional independent study.

It is worth 10 SCQF credits and 5 ECTS credits. This course is set at SCQF level 8.

By studying a credit-rated short course, students can benchmark their learning against national standards, and credits may be used towards further education programmes at many institutions throughout the world.

There is an additional fee of £100 to take part in the credit-rated portion of the course. Please ensure you have already signed up to the course via the Book Now button on the webpage. Once you have completed that, please sign up for the credit-rated option, by completing this booking form:

Credit-rated Booking Form

By studying a credit-rated course, you will need to be matriculated to RCS*, we require some additional information from credit-rated students for this reason. Please read through the section below thoroughly before you submit. If you have any questions about what is required, please email credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk and we can help you.

* Please note although Credit-Rated Short Courses students require matriculation to get their accreditation, you will not be a full time matriculated student of RCS. Credit-Rated Short Courses do not qualify for student visas due to the short term nature of the course. You will also not qualify for a student email address or student card.

Please read the following eligible evidence dependant on your nationality and immigration status:

Scottish/Welsh/English/Northern Irish (Please provide 1 of the following)
– Passport
– UK Driving Licence
– Other Photo ID

Irish (Please provide all of the following)
– Passport

Europeans with Settled or Pre-Settled Status (Please provide all of the following)
– Passport
– Online Immigration Status (via Sharecode)

Europeans (post-Brexit) (Please provide all of the following)
– Passport
– Proof of Entry to the UK
– Online Immigration Status (via Sharecode)

Non-Europeans who can use the e-gates (Nationals of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore and Japan) (Please provide all of the following)
– Passport
– Proof of Entry to the UK
– Vignette
– Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

Online Credit Rated courses:
– if studying an online credit-rated course from your own country (outside of UK) you are only required to submit your passport.
– if studying an online credit-rated course within the UK, but do not hold a UK passport, please follow the guidance from above.

The Credit Rated or Admissions team may require further information or proof from individuals, and may be in contact with you to provide further evidence.

Providing a ShareCode
If you are providing a ShareCode as part of your evidence please visit https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status and follow the instructions to access your code, and provide it in the Experience section of the Booking Form.

This course will run online on Thursday evenings for 10-weeks from 22 January – 26 March 2026, 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

The course fee is £260 which is the equivalent to £26 per session, and can be paid in full or in instalments before the course end date.

Further Information

We want to ensure as many children, young people and adult learners as possible can access the performing and production arts education that is offered through Short Courses at RCS. Financial support options available for Short Courses include:

Agnes Allan Bursary

Agnes Allan was a teacher, passionate about inclusion, and this bursary scheme exists to offer support to students to participate in the performing or production arts.

The Agnes Allan Bursary provides some support to students who may require financial assistance to take part in a short course in dance, drama, music, production or screen.

Anyone who wishes to take part in our Short Courses and faces a financial barrier can apply for bursary support to help meet the cost of tuition fees.

James McAvoy Drama Scholarships

BAFTA-winning and Golden Globe nominated actor James McAvoy is committed to nurturing the creative potential of young Scots who experience barriers to access and participate in drama at RCS Short Courses.

James is a graduate of the BA Acting programme at RCS and Patron of the Junior Conservatoire of Drama. The Glasgow-born actor has funded the new James McAvoy Drama Scholarships to enable young people to experience the world-class drama training at RCS as he did.

The scholarship aims to support applicants who would otherwise find meeting the cost of tuition fees at RCS a barrier to accessing pre-Higher Education drama training at the Royal Conservatoire.

You can find more information about these funds on our Financial Support page.

We run various promotional offers for our Short Courses and Summer Schools. You can view our current offers on our Promotional Offers page.

You should contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk to request your discount code before booking a course.

Please note, only one promotional offer can be applied per course and should be used at the time of booking as we are unable to apply a discounts retrospectively.

Please see our Short Course FAQs for more information about all aspects of choosing, booking and attending your course.

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