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Popular Music BA (Hons)

University of the Highlands & Islands, United Kingdom
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Course Overview

Created by professional musicians, this honors degree will help you to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence required by employers, and for self-employment, in the music industry.

The BA (Hons) Popular Music degree at Perth College UHI is a highly rated and well-established music course that will equip you with the portfolio of skills and knowledge required for a successful career in today’s music industry. On successful completion you will be able to enter areas of employment such as performing, composing, songwriting, instrumental teaching, and music production and enter academic teaching and research through future postgraduate study.

By learning from staff who are professional performers, composers, and academics, you will be encouraged to thoroughly develop both your creative talents and your critical thinking in a positive, stimulating learning environment.

You will develop and strengthen a variety of skills such as music theory, research, and analysis and be supported and guided by staff to explore your full creative potential in all course work - from songwriting and composition to collaboration in band/ensemble work, to how you engage with research in understanding the field of music industries. Additionally, you will engage with studies in music business and audio to complement your core coursework in popular music.

General Eligibility

  • Entry to year one, HNC, is 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above OR

  • 1 A level at grade D or above OR

  • NC Music

  • Prospective students without the standard entry requirements listed above are encouraged to apply

  • This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification.

Part Time Work Details

20 hours work permit for international students

What You'll Study

1 Year 1 - HNC

Mandatory units are:

  • Music first study: instrument or Music first study: composition

  • Music: live performance

  • Music theory 

  • Music: graded unit 

  • Music business for musicians 

Option units may include:

  • Keyboard skills for music production

  • Songwriting

  • Music: session skills

  • Digital audio workstations

  • Creative project

  • Music: second study composition

  • Recording techniques for musicians

  • Music: research project

  • Music business: start-ups

  • Music history

  • Music second study: composition

  • Music: instrumental instruction

2 Year 2 - DipHE

Core modules are:

  • Creative industries analysis

  • Creative project

  • First study 1

  • Applied music theory

  • Songwriting, composition, and production

You will also choose one option module which may include:

  • Music industry touring

  • Second study 1

  • Recording technology for popular musicians

  • Audio for multimedia

  • Live audio production

  • Multitrack studio techniques

  • Digital music industries

3 Year 3 - BA

Core modules are:

  • Themed research project

  • Entrepreneurship

  • First study 2

  • Ensemble performance

You will also choose two option modules which may include:

  • Songwriting: context and process

  • Screen composition

  • Teaching and learning practices

  • Second study 2

  • Multitrack mixdown techniques

  • Transmedia applications

  • Managing and leadership

  • Music publishing and law

4 Year 4 - BA (Hons)

Core modules are:

  • Research paper or dissertation

  • Creative honors project

  • Personal employability strategy

You will also choose two option modules which may include:

  • Final composition project

  • Community placement project

  • Sound design for fixed media

  • Digital business

  • Performance practice lab

  • Social media campaign management

Language Requirement

  • IELTS6.0
  • TOEFL80
  • PTE58
  • Duolingo00

Applicants must have an IELTS score- 6.0 or equivalent

English (PTE) Academic-58 average with 51 in each component

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT4-Min 80 or above with min 18 in each section

Ready to get started?

For any enquiries or further details, please don't hesitate to contact us. Let's take the next step in your academic journey together.

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