Southampton Solent University
Popular Music Performance and Production BA (Hons)
Southampton Solent University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of Popular Music Performance and Production BA (Hons) at Southampton Solent University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Music.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Music

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Music 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 £20000 £17500 £20500
25-75 percentile range £17000 - £25000 £13000 - £21500 £15500 - £26500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Music

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £21455 £18360 £22141
25-75 percentile range £17911 - £25024 £13492 - £22848 £16777 - £27979

Course Description

BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance and Production scored 90% overall satisfaction and our music courses are ranked in the top 20 for UK institutions. (NSS 2020)

Are you interested in a career as a music performer, songwriter or producer? Would you like to be involved in artist development? Suitable for both schooled and self-taught musicians, this course combines creativity and technical learning with in-depth academic and research skills.

Solent’s popular music performance and production programme offers a broad range of creative and technical learning in music and production carefully balanced with the acquisition of academic skills involving research and critical thinking. Students will gain experience both specific to the music industry and relevant to other careers.

The course features extensive study of the music industry including copyright, contract law and career pathways. Students are also expected to develop transferable skills in research, IT, presentation, teamwork, creative thinking, communication and project management.

Student learning is aided by access to our industry standard facilities. These include nine recording studios (networked with Protools HD and Logic Pro), a range of mixing workstations, and a Production Lab with 24 Apple workstations (with Pro Tools, Logic Pro and Sibelius). You’ll also have access to large rehearsal rooms fully equipped with backline and PAs.

The curriculum is delivered by an experienced course team, many of whom are active industry experts with professional experience in performance, studio and live sound, electronic sound design and the business and culture of music production. Staff frequently engage with on-going research in music composition, performance and production. The team’s industry links also enable a handpicked selection of students to record at the world renowned Abbey Road Studios.

Southampton is home to nationally renowned venues including the O2 Guildhall and The Joiners. This vibrant mix of venues has encouraged a diverse music scene, perfect for gaining on-stage experience.

What does this course lead to?

Graduates from this course have gone on to work in diverse areas such as professional performance, songwriting, artist development, live sound, online mixing, sound engineering, teaching and technical support.

Who is this course for?

Solent’s popular music performance and production course is suitable for both schooled and self-taught musicians. Applicants should be interested by both performance and technical production, as well as music history and academic theory.

Applicants should aspire to careers as session musicians, producers, artists, songwriters, music journalists or promoters.

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 Performance and Production BA (Hons) at Southampton Solent University

18% Teaching Professionals
12% Sales occupations
11% Administrative occupations
10% Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals
7% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Other Educational Professionals
4% Customer service occupations
3% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
3% Business and Financial Project Management Professionals

This course is assessed via performances, recordings, presentations, written assignments, music theory exercises, music portfolios, and a website or blog. There may also be video presentation or other forms negotiated with your tutor.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

with 5.5 in each individual component.

TOEFL (iBT) 80

with a minimum of 20 in each individual compoenent.

For information about applying to Solent as an International applicant, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/help-for-international-students

Solent University offers a number of bursaries, grants and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/finance/grants-bursaries-scholarships/bursaries
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Popular Music Performance and Production, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Popular Music Performance and Production BA (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £15000 year 1
International £15000 year 1
EU £16125 year 1
International £16125 year 1

Average student cost of living in the UK

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:

January 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)
  • year 2
  • year 3

University Rankings

Positions of Southampton Solent University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Southampton Solent University in related subject specific rankings.

Arts Visual & Performing

    • #61 
    • #71 
    Music
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #65 
    • #77 
    Music
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]

See all 11 university rankings of Southampton Solent University

About Southampton Solent University

Solent University was established in 1855 in the City Centre of Southampton, South East England. This institution started out as a private Art school in 1856 and has since evolved into one of the most important HEIs in Southampton. Being so centrally located, students are within walking distance of most amenities in the city. Even so, the university provides more than sufficient facilities for students to find anything they need on-site. The Solent campus has a particularly active Student Union office, a great Student Hub for career or even personal advice, as well as a variety of popular restaurants.

List of 203 Bachelor and Master Courses from Southampton Solent University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Southampton Solent University

undergraduates:
8110
postgraduates:
625
Total:
8735
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Where is this programme taught

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