Muse donation

The band has pledged £15,000 worth of state-of-the-art equipment, which will be used by undergraduates enrolled on the University’s music courses.

A modular analogue synthesiser, two liquid channel pre-amps, and a set of specialist orchestral and instrumental microphones are all part of the package for the School of Humanities and Performing Arts.

Professor David Coslett, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, said: “This is a wonderfully generous gesture from Muse and will provide exciting opportunities for our students to experience the kind of industry-standard equipment very few universities have access to.

“We are proud to be associated with the band, given their significant contribution to contemporary popular music and their links to the South West and the University."

The equipment will enable students to gain hands-on experience and develop the types of recording skills used in the production of television, film, live performances and videogames.

Muse, who were made honorary doctors of arts by the University in 2008, have also agreed that a portion of the donation should fund student prizes, rewarding innovation over the course of the next three years.

A spokesman for the band said: “We’re delighted to provide this equipment and hope it will inspire students to go on and create great music for years to come.”