Stace Constantinou
Senior Lecturer in Music
level:UG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:true;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:true;start_month:September;location:Development Hub (Waterside)
Popular Music BA (Hons)
Key Facts
-
UCAS Code
BA: W340
BA with Foundation: W341 -
Duration
Full Time: 3 years
Full Time Foundation: 4 years
Part Time: 4 - 6 years
-
BBC at A-Level or,
DMM at BTEC -
Full Time: £9,535
Part Time: £1,585 (per 20 credits)
Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535
Updated 04/12/2025
Updated 04/12/2025
Find and develop your own individual route into the music sector with our Popular Music degree. This course is perfect if you’re a creative singer/ vocalist, bassist, drummer, guitarist, keyboardist or singer-songwriter looking to develop your technical, performance, musicianship and technology skills to a professional level.
You’ll learn the creative, music technology and study skills necessary to support you in your mission to be a music professional. In addition, we provide students the skills for wider employment, including in the teaching profession and further study should this be something you wish to pursue.
For overall student positivity in the National Student Survey 2025.
For satisfied with feedback in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
Calculations are based on Office for Students (OfS) data from the average positivity score across all NSS questions for this subject area across all modes and levels at UK Universities.
Data taken from the 2026 Guardian University Guide Music Subject table, filtered by Satisfied with Feedback.
JAMES Accreditated
This course is Industry Accredited by JAMES representing APRS, MPG and associate industry bodies. Accreditation of a course by relevant industry bodies provides assurance to students and employers of its potential and value.
Highlights
- Taught by industry professionals and highly trained academics
- One-to-one coaching sessions on your main instrument/voice in Year 1
- Learn to use a professional-grade recording studio
- Become part of one of the UK’s most exciting local music cultures, including opportunities to perform live on stage in various Northampton venues, as well as at the Northampton Music Festival
- Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES)
- Introduction to a network of music businesses
- Specialised guest lectures and masterclasses for popular music and composition
- Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.*
- HP Laptop and software included with this course. Terms and Conditions apply
Vocalist singing into a microphone.
A pianist playing the keys at the Picturedrome.
Singer performing in to a microphone.
A student on stage performing at the picturedrome.
A singer sat at a piano and performing.
A list of the gig running order written on a4 paper for the 2025 popular music gig.
A guitarist and ukelele player at the Picturedrome, Northampton.
Entry Requirements
A typical offer for Music degrees is:
- BBC at A-Level or,
- DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or,
- Merit at T Level
You may be invited to attend an audition and chat.
All qualified applicants will be invited to interview for a place on the course. We welcome international applications and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications. We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.
If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.
The University of Northampton now offers on a range of our courses an alternative route to study; the integrated foundation year (IFY). Admission to this foundation programme is normally:
- DEE at A-Level or,
- MPP at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or,
- Pass (D or E) at T Level
We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the programme you wish to study.
Once your application has been reviewed, you may be invited to attend an online chat with us.
Prior to your online chat, you will be required to send in a video of yourself, which will serve as your audition. The video should be footage of you performing on your strongest instrument – this can include playing an instrument or signing, live or produced etc. We’ll review your video during our chat.
The chat will include a one-to-one with a member of the programme team, and it will be your chance to ask any questions you might have about the course.
We hold our Popular Music chats online and it will take around 20 minutes.
All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
for study at undergraduate level.
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
What You'll Learn
Our Popular Music BA (Hons) degree equips you with the skills you need to perform music, read and write music, compose songs and make tracks. You will also learn how to use music technology equipment, including recording and producing music in our professional grade studios. As well as starting you off as a self-reliant musician working in an ever-evolving music industry.
When you graduate, you’ll have the skills to understand why music is important culturally and economically as well as know how the popular music industry operates in relation to your own artist persona.
Our popular music graduates have the skillset to take advantage of the incredible opportunities the future holds, and to succeed after graduation. This stems from the support and guidance of academics, some of whom have worked with global icons and international artists within the music industry.
Compulsory Modules
Computer Music Techniques
20 Credits
Code: MUS1150
20 Credits
The Recording Studio
20 Credits
Code: MUS1151
20 Credits
Composition and Theory
20 Credits
Code: MUS1152
20 Credits
Creating Popular Music
20 Credits
Code: MUS1153
20 Credits
Performance and Practical Musicianship
20 Credits
Code: MUS1154
20 Credits
Professional Music Studies
20 Credits
Code: MUS1155
20 Credits
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.
At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.
If you join this full time degree, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home. In addition to this, first year students get free one-to-one instrumental lessons.
Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.
We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.
To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.
*UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).
The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.
If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical, and academic skills you need to successfully progress to the full award.
Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.
How will I be taught?
You will be taught through, small group lectures, seminars, tutorials, online tutorials, workshops, independent and group study, as well as having one-to-one supervisions.
You will graduate with a 360° view of the music industry, your place within it and how you can move forward from here. The course follows several strands:
-
- Performing, solo, technical work and live on stage.
- Composing, songs and for media.
- Music technology, including Apple Computers, Logic Pro X, Musescore and Pro Tools.
- Recording, mixing and producing.
- Researching, thinking and academic writing.
- Develop music industry insights and skills.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment includes practical project work, seminar presentations, essays, and examinations. All performance assessments take place in a public venue in Northampton in front of a live audience.
Is a degree in music worth it?
Obtaining a popular music degree will open up a variety of future career pathways. You will enhance your knowledge of composing music, delivering performances and working with music technology. This will give you excellent grounding to pursue a professional career within the music industry.
The skills gained on a music degree are highly transferable. From problem-solving and critical thinking to demonstrating creativity and confidence. This will provide strong grounding for entering a number of different careers post-graduation.
You will also have the chance to pursue further study to enhance your qualifications and knowledge further.
2025/26 Tuition Fees
- UK Full Time: £9,535
- UK Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
- UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
- International Full Time: £15,700
- International Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
- Musical instrument & consumables: Price varies.
- Vocalists – microphone: £80 (approx.)
- Portable hard drive: £60 (approx.)
- A good pair of closed back headphones: £60-100 (approx.)
- Batteries for portable recording equipment: £30-50 (approx.)
- Core textbooks and sheet music: £80 (approx.)
- USB Flash drives: £10-20 for two (approx.)
- And/ or SD card (£10-20 max)
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £9,250
- UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
- UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
- International – Full Time: £15,200
- International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200
Staff
Yoshe Watson
Lecturer in Music
Tony Platt
Associate Lecturer (Music)
Tim Smart
Senior Lecturer in Music
Miles Hancock
Associate Lecturer (Music)
Anna Jaichner
Associate Lecturer (Music)
Michael Bell
Lecturer in Music
Mark Thursby
Senior Lecturer in Music
Careers and Employability
This course is an excellent foundation for careers in all parts of the music industry including: musician, performer, producer, songwriter, artist liaison and more.
Studying this course will also provide you with transferable skills that employers find highly valuable. From critical thinking to creativity, you will be armed with the skills you need to secure employment in a range of different sectors if you don’t want to go into the music industry.
Facilities
Your teaching will take place at Waterside Campus, specifically the newly renovated Development Hub.
Specialist facilities include:
- Three fully kitted rehearsal rooms and stage performance area
- Live performance hardware such as Vox amps, Marshall MG 4×12 amps, Orange Crush Pro amps, Peavey Amps, Ampeg PF500 Bass amplifiers, Yamaha Stage Custom kits, Gretsch Drum Kit, Studio AAX, full PA, three rehearsal rooms
- Two grand pianos – Bechstein Boudoir Grand, Steinway Studio B, two Yamaha upright pianos
- Two Mac Suites: running Logic Pro X, Musescore, Ableton 10, Native Instruments Komplete 12, Pro Tools and more
- Two recording studios: running Pro Tools and Audient 8024 mixing console, Neve 1073LB preamps, SSL VHD preamps, Apollo 8P, Apollo Satellite Octo, Rupert Neve Designs 5043, SoundToys bundle, Arturia V studio, Universal Audio Ultimate, Spitfire Audio Hybrid, Steven Slate Drums. ProTools HD enabled recording studio
- Microphones: U87 condensers, AKG414s, Telefunken FET M60s, AKG 451s, Radial DI boxes, Radial SGI and re-amp boxes, and a full range of other industry mics
- Hardware synthesisers such as Arturia DrumBrute, Novation Circuits, Roland TB303, Behringer Deepmind 12, Roland Juno DS, Novation Bass Stations, Ableton controllers – Launchkey 49s, Launcontrol XLs, Launchpad Mark 1 and Mark 2
- Field recorders and boom mics for music and media work
- Networking sessions and opportunities with film students.
Special course features include:
- One-to-one instrument/vocal coaching sessions (on your main instrument in year 1)
- Performance, musicianship and theory training
- Learning to use music technology
- Research and academic writing skills
- Exploring the music industry in the digital age
- Using a professional grade recording studios
- Top-notch facilities and equipment.
