Where Are They Now? ➕ Therese Nilsson
#WhereYourFutureMeansMore ➕ We really value our alumni and we love hearing about their current endeavours and career journeys. In this week’s blog, we caught up with former music student, Therese Nilsson.
What course did you study at UHI Perth?
BA (Hons) Popular Music, completing in 2011.
Why did you pick this course?
I wanted to explore my interest in music and sought a course focused on popular music. Since I also wanted to go live in Scotland for a while, UHI Perth seemed like a good match.
What were you doing before you came to UHI Perth?
I worked as a librarian in Sweden.
How did you hear about UHI Perth?
I googled music courses in Scotland 😊.
Where do you work now?
Umeå University. I'm a university librarian, songwriter and singer and have just started up a music magazine.
Key milestones from graduation to now?
Under the alias: ‘A Catalogue of the Universe’, I released my solo debut, Waterworld, in June 2021, followed by the EP The Lightning Tracker in 2022. My latest single, Strange Goodbyes, reflects on a move across the North Sea - a recurring theme in my work ever since I made that journey myself to study at UHI Perth sixteen years ago. This year, I also launched my music magazine, Musikhorisonten; an important step toward creating the songwriting community I’ve always wanted to be a part of.
Biggest career highlight?
Writing songs is really the biggest highlight of what I am doing (which I wouldn't really call a career, but at least the best way I know how to spend an afternoon)!
Future aspirations?
Keep writing songs and hopefully keep playing them for people who want to hear them - and keep building a community around songwriting and music.
How did your course at UHI help you to get where you are?
Though it took me a while to put what I learnt at UHI Perth into practice, without it, I don't think I would have even reached the point of letting myself be a songwriter.
Best thing about studying at UHI?
My classmates, colleagues (I worked at UHI too!) and lecturers. I learned a lot about making, performing and analysing music at UHI but really, it's the people I met there that have stayed with me.
Were the music facilities on campus good?
Keeping in mind it was sixteen years ago, I remember the music facilities as being quite good.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about studying Popular Music at UHI Perth?
Get to know the place! Talk to current students and lecturers, explore the music facilities if you have the opportunity, and make sure the curriculum feels exciting and relevant to you.
Applications are open for courses starting in September 2025. Find your place at UHI Perth >>
