Popular Music BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  Our Popular Music BA (Hons) degree equips you with the skills your need to perform popular music, read and write music, compose songs and make tracks, 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.

  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.

  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.

  Open Mic Nights

  List of Modules

  • Stage 1
    • MUS1150 Computer Music Techniques (20 Credits)
    • MUS1151 The Recording Studio (20 Credits)
    • MUS1152 Composition and Theory (20 Credits)
    • MUS1153 Creating Popular Music (20 Credits)
    • MUS1154 Performance and Practical Musicianship (20 Credits)
    • MUS1155 Professional Music Studies (20 Credits)

    All modules in Year 1 are compulsory.

  • Stage 2
    • MED2128 Sound for Screen (20 Credits)
    • MUS2140 How Music Works (20 Credits)
    • MUS2141 The Creative Practitioner (20 Credits)
    • MUS2155 Creativity and Technology (20 Credits)
    • MUS2156 Developing Popular Music (20 Credits)
    • MUS2157 Industry Briefs for Performers (20 Credits)

    All modules in Year 2 are compulsory.

  • Stage 3
    • MUS4121 Professional Project (40 Credits) (Optional)
    • MUS4125 Popular Music Dissertation (40 Credits) (Optional)
    • MUS3127 Music and Sound Design for Media (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
    • MUS3150 The Professional Music Educator (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
    • MUS3146 The Professional Performer (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
    • MUS3147 The Creative Musician (20 Credits) (Compulsory)

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• Student Perks

  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 at Northampton, 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 Popular Music BA (Hons) students get free one-to-one instrumental lessons.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to 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).

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• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  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, in order 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.

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• FAQs

  How will I be taught on Popular Music BA (Hons)?

  You will be taught through, small group lectures, seminars, tutorials, online tutorials, workshops, independent and group study, one-to-one supervisions.

  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.

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