Popular Music, BA (Hons), with industry placement

This Popular Music degree equips students to forge a distinct and sustainable career in music by honing creative skills in songwriting, production, performance, and promotion, while addressing legal, ethical, and financial industry aspects. Through collaboration with experts, musicians, and artists, participants explore genres and technologies to craft an innovative audiovisual portfolio, build audiences, and develop a unique artistic identity. Students join a vibrant community, learning to write and perform original material, master instruments and studio techniques, and navigate business practices for independent or commercial paths.The program spans four years, starting with foundational modules in music technology, theory, and performance, progressing to specialized options in year two on business, media composition, and experimental artistry. Year three offers a professional placement for real-world experience, while the final year focuses on refining portfolios, entrepreneurial skills, and career preparation. Assessment includes portfolios, performances, essays, and presentations, tailored to individual development.

As part of this Popular Music degree, you’ll develop creative skills in musicianship, performance and songwriting as well as technical skills in recording, production and performing technologies. You’ll also gain a critical understanding of the music industry, learning how to represent artistic work and shape a unique identity. Year one In your first year, you’ll reinforce and expand your knowledge of music technology, music theory, studio practices, songwriting and performance, while embedding yourself in our creative community through collaborative projects with students and staff. The skills, experiences and self-awareness gained in this first year will help you to confidently progress to the next level of study. Modules Playing Live: Songwriting & Performance Pop Synthesis: Technology, Songwriting & Performance Expanding Musical Vocabularies Specialist Music Practice 1 Music and Sound: Context and Cultures Studiocraft Year two In your second year, you’ll be able to tailor your learning to your developing interests and expertise through a range of optional modules covering performance, music business, artistic identity and songwriting. You’ll also have the opportunity to collaborate with students from within and beyond the Music subject area on cross-discipline projects, such as sound and music for film and games, digital arts or multi-modal performance. Modules Professional Creative Artist & Songwriter The Business of Music & Sound Specialist Music Practice 2 Music & Sound: Resonant Futures Optional modules Enterprise: Innovative Music Business Practice A/V Radical Artistry & New Media Aesthetics Composing Music for Media Session Musicianship Immersive & Interactive Audio Advanced & Experimental Performance Resounding: Situated Songwriting & Composition Voice and Listening: Life, People and Planet Year Three: You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the employability team. Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. How you’ll study during your professional placement You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. Year four: Your final year is geared towards refining your artistic and professional identity, while deepening your knowledge, skills and networks in line with your chosen specialism. You’ll develop your showcase portfolio, enhance your entrepreneurial practice skills and carry out career design work as you prepare to embark on a successful and creative profession in your chosen field. Modules Music & Sound: Dissertation Professional Development Your Future Showcase Portfolio As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.