BA(Hons) Popular Music

Whether underground or mainstream, DIY or commercial, acoustic or electric, this course is for musicians, songwriters and producers with eclectic styles and open-minded approaches to music making. 

As an independent artist, you’ll learn how to promote and release your work, creating innovative audio-visual portfolios based on experimentation, musicianship and a confident understanding of the industry. You’ll study the audio-visual elements of pop and develop ways of critically conceiving and creating ‘real’ and ‘virtual’ presences. Finally, as someone invested in how dad makes meaning, you’ll define a practice that’s stylistically sophisticated and future-facing.

You will:

• Cultivate songwriting techniques and performance and production skills to develop and produce your sound and artistic identity

• Work creatively in high-spec live, digital and studio environments, learning to incorporate technology into your practice.

• Establish experimental and innovative approaches to music making, the music business and self-promotion, which may include touring or running a label

• Think critically about the place and contribution of music as part of the culture, with an emphasis on identities, sustainability and the challenges of the digital age

• Benefit from staff expertise, alums and visiting lecturers, which have included Ed O’Brien (Radiohead), Martha Tilston, Mary Hampton and Darcus Beese (Warner Music UK)

We consider all applications on their merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to allow them to demonstrate this, along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Depending on the course, applicants can also show their portfolio or provide a performance. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or the humanities.  

Course route Entry requirements
BA/BSc(Hons) three-year degree 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points

BA/BSc(Hons) four year degree
with placement year 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points

UCAS Tariff points will primarily be from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, T Levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma. 

Twenty hours of work permit weekly for international students.