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 Logic Pro X, Musescore, Ableton 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.

  Modules

  Information about the modules for this course can be found on the award map:

  View Popular Music BA (Hons) modules

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• Entry Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer is:

  • BCC at A-Level or,
  • DMM at BTEC or,
  • Pass (C and above) at T Level

  All qualified applicants will be invited for interview. We welcome international applications and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.

  For more 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.

  Integrated Foundation Year Entry Requirements

  Admission to this foundation programme is normally:

  • DEE at A-Level or,
  • MPP at BTEC or,
  • Pass (D or E) at T Level

  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.

  English Language Requirements

  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.

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• Fees and Funding

  2023/24 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 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: £14,750
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £14,750

  Additional Costs

  • A musical instrument. We have a modest supply of guitars, basses and keys, but we heartily recommend you get your own. (Price varies).
  • Vocalists – microphone. We have a modest supply, but we heartily recommend you get your own. (Price varies but from around £80).
  • Headphones (approximately £60-100).
  • External portable hard drive (approximately £60).
  • Batteries for portable recording equipment (not needed immediately).
  • SD cards/ USB Flash drives (data sticks). (£10-20 for two). (Not needed immediately).
  • Core textbooks and sheet music (approximately £80).
  • Consumables for individual instruments. Jack leads, capos, plectrums, drum skins, drumsticks, reeds, strings, mutes, patch leads etc. (Price varies).

  2022/23 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,500 per 20 credit module
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
  • International – Full Time: £14,000
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £14,000 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply

  Additional Costs

  • A musical instrument. We have a modest supply of guitars, basses and keys, but we heartily recommend you get your own. (Price varies).
  • Vocalists – microphone. We have a modest supply, but we heartily recommend you get your own. (Price varies but from around £80).
  • Headphones (approximately £60-100).
  • External portable hard drive (approximately £60).
  • Batteries for portable recording equipment (not needed immediately).
  • SD cards/ USB Flash drives (data sticks). (£10-20 for two). (Not needed immediately).
  • Core textbooks and sheet music (approximately £80).
  • Consumables for individual instruments. Jack leads, capos, plectrums, drum skins, drumsticks, reeds, strings, mutes, patch leads etc. (Price varies).

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

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• Partnerships and Accreditation

  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.
  

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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.

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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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• Industry Expertise

  Tony Platt is the recording studio tutor at the University of Northampton.

  During his career, Tony has worked as a sound engineer and record producer for a diverse mix of artists, including AC/DC.

  Tony has been involved within music production since the early 1970s, predominantly within the world of rock. However, his personal discography is impressive working with musical idols such as Bob Marley within his early years, and the likes of Two Tone Club in more recent times.

  Tony is also the Managing Director of the prestigious Music Producers Guild Awards held in London as well as member of the steering group for the APRS/MPG education initiative JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support) whilst still undertaking lecturing at the University.

  His depth of knowledge and understanding within music production are vital for students to gain a key understanding of the industry and how to succeed in an extremely competitive environment.

  We are privileged to have Tony’s name associated with the university and are sure he will inspire a new generation of music students in the future.

  Find out more about Tony’s biography and discography.

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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.

  Are there any specialist facilities and features?

  Your teaching will take place at Waterside Campus, specifically the newly renovated Development Hub.

  Specialist facilities include

  • Two Mac Suites: running Logic Pro X, Ableton 10, Native Instruments Komplete 12, Pro Tools, iZotope, FabFilter.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Three fully kitted rehearsal rooms.
  • 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.
  • The Popular Music BA (Hons) course is supported by a fully ProTools HD enabled recording studio. Students also have access to three digital audio workstation suites and two live rehearsal rooms.

  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.

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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.