The University of Northampton
Popular Music BA (Hons)
The University of Northampton

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 55 graduates of Popular Music BA (Hons) and other courses in Performing Arts at The University of Northampton for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Performing Arts.

Overall student satisfaction
50 /100
55 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Performing Arts

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Performing Arts 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 £18000 £18500 £21000
25-75 percentile range £13000 - £22500 £14000 - £22500 £17000 - £26500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Performing Arts

  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

Why choose this course?

Our Popular Music course will help you to develop your musical creativity, critical analysis and recording skills, giving you the opportunity to become a fully equipped musician for the 21st century, and 95% of our students go on to work and / or study within 15 months after the course.*

Our degree in Popular Music equips you with the skills you need to compose, record and produce music. 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 three strands:

  • Performing and Composing
  • Recording and Producing
  • Thinking and Writing

When you graduate you will be more than a performer and engineer, you will understand why music is important culturally and economically and understand how the music industry fits together. With the changes to music distribution and marketing that have taken place over the past ten years, musicians need to be a part of this change rather than pursuing old ideas of labels and deals.

Programme accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES)

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

  • You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

  • Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.

  • 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.

The Northampton Employment Promise

  • In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.

✱ National Student Survey (NSS) 2023

Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Services (JAMES) on behalf of Audio Technology, Music, Recording, Music Production, Games, Media and Audio Post Production Industries.

Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Services (JAMES) on behalf of Audio Technology, Music, Recording, Music Production, Games, Media and Audio Post Production Industries.

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 BA (Hons) at The University of Northampton

40% Managers, directors and senior officials
10% Process, plant and machine operatives
5% Elementary occupations
5% Community and Civil Enforcement Occupations
5% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
5% Welfare and housing associate professionals
5% Sales occupations
5% Welfare Professionals
5% Elementary occupations
5% Finance Professionals

Grading & Study Time

****The course is assessed in a number of ways:**** **• Practical project work** **• Seminar presentations** **• Essays** **• Examinations** All performance assessments take place in a public venue in Northampton in front of a live audience.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 4.5
    • Foundation / Pathway Courses
    • General Test
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Popular Music, 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 BA (Hons)

EU £9250 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 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 The University of Northampton in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of The University of Northampton in related subject specific rankings.

Arts Visual & Performing

    • #63 
    • #75 
    Music
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]

See all 11 university rankings of The University of Northampton

About The University of Northampton

The University of Northampton is a public institution in Northampton, England which places particular emphasis on the student experience, promoting a personalised educational experience with lecturers who care about their students. Waterside Campus, Avenue and Park Campuses as well as their Innovation Center are the University of Nottingham’s main campus sites.

List of 156 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Northampton - Course Catalogue

Student composition of The University of Northampton

undergraduates:
9080
postgraduates:
3010
Total:
12090
  • Meet our Freshers: First Week in halls
  • Student Stories | Coming to University Away from Home: Britney
  • Accommodation Quick Tips | University of Northampton
  • Student Stories | Coming to University Away from Home: Bruna

Where is this programme taught

Main Site
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