Southampton Solent University
Popular Music Performance BMus (Hons)
Southampton Solent University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 10 graduates of Popular Music Performance BMus (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

Popular Music Performance scored 96% for student overall student satisfaction and in the top 20 in the UK. (NSS 2020)

Looking to start a career as a performer, songwriter, creative artist or studio musician? Solent University’s BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance programme brings together practical, theoretical and vocational learning to help launch your musical career.

Throughout the course you’ll be supported to develop a wide range of musical skills alongside academic, research and critical-thinking proficiencies that are relevant to many different careers.

The course features extensive study of the music industries including copyright, contract law and career pathways. You’ll also be encouraged to develop transferable skills in research, IT, presentation, teamwork, creative thinking, communication and project management.

The curriculum is taught by a highly 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. The team’s industry links also enable a handpicked selection of students to record at the world-renowned Abbey Road Studios.

You’ll study in our industry-standard facilities, including rehearsal rooms and recording studios – and will have access to full backline and PA during your rehearsals and classes.

Beyond timetabled seminars and workshops you will be encouraged to engage with Southampton’s thriving music scene. By promoting your own shows, you’ll cultivate your talents and expand your understanding of real-world arrangement, composition and stagecraft.

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

What does this course lead to?

Graduates from this course have gone on to work in professional performance, songwriting, artist development, live sound, teaching, and technical support.

Who is this course for?

Solent’s popular music performance course is suitable for both schooled and self-taught musicians who are interested in building a career as a self-motivated, skilled performer.

Applicants should have performance experience on at least one of the following: keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, or vocals.

You will create music as part of the course but evidence of music theory skills at entry is not compulsory.

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 BMus (Hons) at Southampton Solent University

18% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
12% Business and public service associate professionals
11% Finance Professionals
10%
7% Customer service occupations
5% Elementary occupations
5% Teaching Professionals
4% Managers, directors and senior officials
3% Administrative occupations
3% Information Technology Professionals

This course is assessed via a range of performances, recordings, presentations, written assignments, music theory exercises, music portfolios, and website(s)/blogs. There may also be video presentations 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, BMus (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 BMus (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)

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
  • Students perspectives of living in Southampton
  • What our postgraduate students thought of their time at Solent
  • Why Solent? Marketing students share their view
  • "What I wish I'd known as a fresher"
  • Life at Solent - Norwegian students
  • Why Solent? Travel and tourism students share their view

Where is this programme taught

Main Site
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Music BA (Hons) Durham University 77% 5% 3% £9250 £25750 199 Durham On campus Full-time
Accounting & Finance and Musical Theatre (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons) Liverpool Hope University - - - £9250 £12500 - Liverpool On campus Full-time
Music Production and Musical Theatre (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons) Liverpool Hope University - - - £9250 £12500 - Liverpool On campus Full-time
Music and Theatre BA (Hons) Royal Holloway, University of London 86% 5% 3% £9250 £23800 163 Egham On campus Full-time
Music Production and Psychology BA (Hons) Liverpool Hope University - - - £9250 £12500 - Liverpool On campus Full-time
Music BMus (Hons) University of Aberdeen 100% 5% 5% £9250 £21900 £20800 169 Aberdeen On campus Full-time
International Relations and Music Production BA (Hons) Liverpool Hope University - - - £9250 £12500 - Liverpool On campus Full-time
Drama and Music Production (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons) Liverpool Hope University - - - £9250 £12500 - Liverpool On campus Full-time
Creative Music Production BA (Hons) University of Huddersfield - - - £9250 £16500 - Huddersfield On campus Full-time
Musical Theatre and Stage Design & Scenography BA (Hons) Liverpool Hope University - - - £9250 £12500 - Liverpool On campus Full-time