Course Overview

Nurture your musical passions and pursue a dynamic career in popular or traditional music performance. Develop your understanding of the music industry and enhance your instrumental skills, with modules in first study instrument or composition, live performance, theory, graded units, and music business.

Take the HNC as the first year of our BA (Hons) Popular Music, or use the HNC or HND to access the second or third years of the BA (Hons) Popular Music or BA (Hons) Applied Music.

Special features

• You will have opportunities to perform your music locally and further afield

• You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal and professional circumstances

• With locations across the Highlands and Islands, choose the one that best fits your lifestyle and music, studying at UHI North, West, and Hebrides (Benbecula, Alness, or Fort William campus); UHI Perth; or UHI Shetland

General Eligibility

• 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

• You will be asked to attend an audition and interview. You should prepare and perform a piece that demonstrates your skillset on your instrument or voice and, for writers, this can be an original composition or song. As a guideline, a grade of 4/5 is a rough equivalent of the performance level for this course. However, consideration will also be given to musicians with similar experience who have not participated in graded repertoire. 

• The interview will allow you to see our campus, meet staff, and learn more about the course, including the resources and learning opportunities we offer to support your development.

Part Time Work Details

20 hours work permit for international students

Language Requirement

• Overall score of 5.5 with no element below 5.0

  Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic3-Min 50

  TOEFL-Min 69 or above with min 17 in each section