This groundbreaking new course covers performance psychology, performance medicine, posture control, creativity and personal development. Training is also given in the basic elements of performance coaching. Lecturers are specialists in this field and authors of current textbooks on the subject. Start dates – October or February. Courses are taught on Monday and Tuesday evenings
For details of the course see the Thames Valley site www.tvu.ac.uk and under “Course Search” enter “Performance Health and Personal Development”
Note that the core curriculum of three modules can be taken as a Postgraduate Certificate, for which the fees are currently around £1,500 – the most cost-effective option available.
To discuss the course, contact course leader Andy Evans on 020-7602-2707 or performanceandmedia (at) gmail (dot) com
Applications are invited for this new course, and will be considered right up to the start date of the course. The course will give you a university qualification you can use in your career
NB - Please note that you don’t have to have a first degree - if you have worked in the arts and media you will be considered for a place. You will also be considered for a place if you work in health, management, HR or any other capacity where your clients are arts and media people.
a) Performers (e.g. music, acting, singing, dance). Thames Valley has a large student community of musicians, but the course is equally open to all performers.
b) Performers and artists thinking of changing careers into the health sector, counselling or coaching, or doing this alongside their performing activities
c) Management, HR and other relevant staff of arts, media and publishing companies
d) Staff of charities and other organisations who deal with performers and artists
e) Teachers in performing and creative arts colleges or teaching privately
f) Health professionals – doctors, counsellors, coaches, psychologists and many more including complementary and alternative health practitioners
This is a ground-breaking new course on the medical, psychological, health and career aspects of performance. It offers a unique opportunity to gain a recognised university qualification in performance and health, and is taught by leading practitioners and academics.
The Core Curriculum aims to promote and equip the healthier performer to understand what he/she does and how to do it better. This can be achieved by studying the specific health issues which affect performers – stage fright, peak performance, the pursuit of fame, motivation issues, burnout, posture control, medical problems including voice and upper limb, and the wider health and safety issues of the industry. Additionally, students will take part in group-work looking at creativity (such as songwriting) and self development through coaching skills.
This is a field of knowledge which is increasingly being placed at the service of performers through performance clinics in the UK and abroad, and one which is constantly growing and facing a number of exciting new challenges. The importance for the future is that programmes such as this will help to train teachers, instrumentalists and practitioners who will take our present knowledge and expertise to new generations of performers, helping to ensure their health, fulfilment and search for personal development.
Course content
This course aims to give a deeper understanding of those human factors affecting professionals working in the arts and health. Students will be taught to think about the issues raised in terms of their own experience and practice. They will not only be encouraged to think about what they do as performers, teachers and practitioners, but, more importantly, how they are doing it so as to ensure best practice and an up-to-date knowledge of developments in the field.
PgCert/PgDip/MA
Students will study the following compulsory modules:
- Psychology and Human Factors
- Health and Ergonomics
- Creativity and Personal Development.
PgDip/MA
In addition to the modules above, students will also study the following:
- Dissertation or Project
- Research Methods.
MA
In addition to all of the modules above, students will also choose from the following:
- Postgraduate Performance
- Performance (WBL)
- Postgraduate Performance Workshop.
OR
- Artist and Repertoire
- Live Event Management
- Music Management.
Applicants must have one of the following:
- a suitable undergraduate qualification (to Level 6)
- an undergraduate health or performance-type qualification (eg diploma, performance or creative certificate), together with evidence of written skills at an advanced level (equivalent to undergraduate Level 6) ie an essay of minimum 1,500 words on an appropriate subject relevant to the MA, and a viva voce on this submitted written work
- an appropriate level of professional arts or media achievement, with evidence of written skills at an advanced level (equivalent to undergraduate Level 6) ie an essay of minimum 1,500 words on an appropriate subject relevant to the MA, and a viva voce on this submitted written work. Any other original written work will be taken into consideration.
International entry criteria
International students need to meet our English language requirement at either IELTS at 6.5 or above, TOEFL paper based test score at 575 or above, TOEFL computer based test score at 232 or above, TOEFL internet base test score at 90 or above. Contact our International Office to find out what international qualifications you need to get onto a course www.tvu.ac.uk/international
Entry skills
Honours Degree or an established career working within the music or health profession.
Interview
All applicants will be interviewed prior to being accepted onto the programme. Course leaders will work in collaboration with the Head of Subject for Music and Health and Human Sciences.