Goldsmiths, University of London
Popular Music BMus (Hons)
Goldsmiths, University of London

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of Popular Music BMus (Hons) at Goldsmiths, University of London for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Anthropology.

Overall student satisfaction
40 /100
15 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Sociology, Social Policy and Anthropology

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Anthropology at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £23500 £28000
25-75 percentile range £20000 - £27500 £16500 - £28000 £20000 - £33000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Sociology, Social Policy and Anthropology

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £22450 £26876
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £28000 £16925 - £28392 £20314 - £34845

Course Description

This ground-breaking degree embraces popular music in its many forms from the mainstream to the underground and puts exploration and experimentation in creative practice at the heart of the degree.

  • Collaboration with Matthew Herbert's Accidental Records has enabled us to create NX Records, an independent record label based at Goldsmiths, giving us the potential to promote Goldsmiths students' work on an international stage.

Why study BMus Popular Music at Goldsmiths

  • This programme will allow you to acquire and develop a variety of skills, both individually and collaboratively, including musicianship and ensemble playing, songwriting, production and recording (at Goldsmiths Music Studios), composition and making music for film, and alternative sites for music.

London and Performance

  • You'll be within easy reach of South East London's many venues, as well as those across the capital, which provide a connection to music, art, dance, and theatre with an international focus, but also to local promoters, labels and the London-based music industry. You'll also have the opportunity to perform at student-run showcases, in department ensembles, and at PureGold, our annual music festival that celebrates music created and performed at Goldsmiths.

Employment and Industry Links

  • The Goldsmiths Music department has strong links with the music industry, employing professional musicians, producers, and artists as lecturers. We also present frequent, high-profile speakers from the music industry at our talks and events. Recently, these have included Dave Okumu, Nigel Godrich, Darkstar, Mica Levi, Matana Roberts, and Arts Council Music Relationship Managers.
  • Beyond music, you’ll be very well set-up for the world of work. Employers look for initiative-driven graduates who think critically about their actions, work well with others and adapt quickly and creatively to new ideas. These ideas are written into the DNA of the degree, which will help you develop these skills. Graduates from this programme include Rosie Lowe, Another Sky, La Lief (Oram Award winner, 2018), James Blake, Katy B, and Ross from Friends, among others.

Please note the BMus Popular Music only accepts applications for first year entry and does not accept applications for deferred entry.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Popular Music BMus (Hons) at Goldsmiths, University of London

20% Web and Multimedia Design Professionals
15% Sales occupations
10% Administrative occupations
5% Design occupations
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
5% Therapy professionals

Grading & Study Time

You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, group work, solo recitals, improvisation and group performances.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

With a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5

IELTS (Academic) 6

With a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Popular Music, BMus (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Average student cost of living in London

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

August 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Goldsmiths, University of London in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Goldsmiths, University of London in related subject specific rankings.

Arts Visual & Performing

    • #29 
    • #36 
    Music
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 14 May, 2024]
    • #48 
    • #60 
    Music
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]

See all 24 university rankings of Goldsmiths, University of London

About Goldsmiths, University of London

Founded in 1891, Goldsmiths, University of London, is located in the South-Eastern area of London known as New Cross. The facilities are impressive at this university, providing students with Art, TV, and Radio studios, as well as a host of other resources aimed at optimising the experience for students on any of their courses. With Goldsmith’s exceptionally active event calendar, making new connections is easy, giving learners a way to socialise without even having to step foot off campus.

List of 196 Bachelor and Master Courses from Goldsmiths, University of London - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Goldsmiths, University of London

undergraduates:
5445
postgraduates:
2875
Total:
8320
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Where is this programme taught

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Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
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Music and Theatre BA (Hons) Royal Holloway, University of London 86% 5% 3% £9250 £23800 163 Egham On campus Full-time
Music Performance BA (Hons) Queen's University of Belfast - - - £9250 £20800 - Belfast On campus Full-time
Music BMus (Hons) Royal Holloway, University of London 86% 5% 0% £9250 £23800 169 Egham On campus Full-time
Music BMus (Hons) Queen's University of Belfast 45% 0% 0% £9250 £20800 141 Belfast On campus Full-time

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