U.K. college offers Heavy Metal Performance degree

Screeching guitars, wailing vocals and head-banging lyrics are no longer limited to the late-night venues near a college campus in England.

It’s now what you’ll find inside the college’s classroom.

England’s New College Nottingham has introduced what is believed to be the world’s first degree in Heavy Metal Performance.

Students will study the history of heavy metal, its censorship throughout its history, and the relationship of metal to religion and philosophy.

Scholars of the thrashing guitar licks and angst-filled songs of genre will compose their own metal tunes.  They'll also learn the ropes of the business side of the industry and prepare for careers in the music industry.

“In the past, heavy metal has not been taken seriously and is seen as lacking academic credibility when compared with other genres such as jazz and classical music,” the course’s creator, Liam Maloy, told the BBC.  “But that’s just a cultural construction.”

Maloy says the course will be academically challenging, with students required to write papers and make presentations.

The two-year degree program starts this fall, and will songwriting, finance management and onstage performances.

The program is accredited and students who finish the two-year program can continue their music studies and earn a full degree at Nottingham Trent University.