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Popular Music BA (Hons)

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  3. Popular Music BA (Hons)

Key Facts

  • UCAS Code

    BA: W340
    BA with Foundation: W341

  • Level

    UndergraduateUG BA (Hons)

  • Duration

    Full Time: 3 years
    Full Time Foundation: 4 years
    Part Time: 4 - 6 years

  • Starting

    September

    SEP

Updated 29/04/2025

Open Days

Updated 29/04/2025

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

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Overview

Find and develop your own individual route into the music sector with our Popular Music BA (Hons) course at the University of Northampton. 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 music Pro. 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.

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.

JAMES accreditation logo

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
A student sits at a mixing console and computer in a recording studio, surrounded by audio equipment, a keyboard and two monitors displaying sound editing software.

Student sitting at a desk in a UON music studio in front of various pieces of music production equipment.

Close-up of a person's hand adjusting sliders on a mixing console with various knobs, buttons, and labels, while another hand rests on the desk. There are lights on some of the buttons.

A student uses the sound desk in the University of Northampton music suite.

A student sits in front of a mixing console and computer screen at a production desk in a recording studio. On the screen, there are colourful tracks displayed.

Photo shows a student seated at a production desk in a UON music studio

A student adjusts sound levels on a mixing desk in the music production suite. The student is blurred in the foreground, with the focus on the mixing desk with lots of buttons and dials.

A student adjusts controls on a rack of audio equipment in a UON music production suite.

Student adjusts a drum while holding a drumstick. They are wearing a dark sweater and a red lanyard with an ID badge. The camera is focussed on their hands and the drum.

A student adjusts a drum while holding a drumstick.

A student adjusts drum equipment in a professional recording studio. They are standing behind the drum kit, surrounded by microphones and cables.

A student adjusts drum equipment in a UON recording studio.

A seminar group held in a dimly lit audio production studio. The academic is leaning across a production desk, around which most students are seated.

Seminar group in a UON music studio

Student sits in a music studio with an acoustic guitar on his knee. He is wearing headphones and is sitting next to a microphone stand. Drums are visible in the background.

Student with an acoustic guitar in a UON music studio.

Entry Requirements

A typical offer for Popular Music is:

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

We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

  • 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.

  • 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 your interview.

    We 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 30 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.

Course Content

  • 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
      • 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.

      • 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.

      • 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)

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

Stace Constantinou, Senior Lecturer in Popular Music

Senior Lecturer in Popular Music
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Stace Constantinou
Yoshe Watson, Lecturer in Popular Music

Lecturer in Popular Music
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Yoshe Watson
Tony Platt, Associate Lecturer (Music)

Associate Lecturer (Music)
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Tony Platt
Tim Smart, Senior Lecturer in Popular Music

Senior Lecturer in Popular Music
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Tim Smart
Miles Hancock, Associate Lecturer (Music)

Associate Lecturer (Music)
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Miles Hancock
Anna Jaichner, Associate Lecturer (Music)

Associate Lecturer (Music)
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Anna Jaichner
Michael Bell, Lecturer in Music Production

Lecturer in Music Production
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Michael Bell
Mark Thursby, Senior Lecturer - Music Production

Senior Lecturer - Music Production
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Mark Thursby

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.

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.

Is this course for you?

Open Days

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