BA Commercial Music
About this course
BA (Hons) Commercial Music, a music degree focused on practical studio production, live performance, composition, and the business side of the music industry. The course includes a professional placement year and a series of professional portfolio and research modules in the final stage. The first year covers foundational practice through Songwriting, Composing with Technology, Performance (Collaborative), and Introduction to the Music Business. The second year expands into promotion, audio-visual work, and touring via modules such as Brand, Identity and Promotion, Audio Visual Practice, Song Production, and "Going Live" (Tour and Events). The final year centres on advanced professional development and enterprise through modules including Professional Musician, Professional Portfolio, Commercial Music Research: Planning and Methods, and Music, Money and Enterprise 1.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below: A Level – grades BBB-BCC. No specific subject required. BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM). No specific subject required. T Levels – grade Merit. No specific subject required. International Baccalaureate – a minimum of 32 points. No specific subject required. Access to HE courses – Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher). No specific subject required. If you don’t meet the entry requirements above, we may be able to accept your prior learning or experience from outside of formal education. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) page to learn more. English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.
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What students say
Based on about 29 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 31 graduates who answered
- Working: 79%
- Working and studying: 14%
- Further study: 2%
- Unemployed: 2%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 30%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 10%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 155 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 11%
- London: 7%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 52%
- Wales: 6%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 55 students who started
- A levels: 96%
- Other qualifications: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Songwriting
- Composing with Technology
- Performance (Collaborative)
- Introduction to the Music Business
- Commercial Music Studio Production
- Performance (Projects)
- Brand, Identity and Promotion
- Audio Visual Practice
- Song Production
- Audio Visual Identity
- Music Think Tank
- "Going Live" (Tour and Events)
- Working in the Music Industry
- Creative Composition
- Music Orchestration and Arranging
- Professional Placement Year
- Professional Musician
- Professional Portfolio
- Commercial Music Research: Planning and Methods
- Commercial Music Research: Writing and Revision
- Music, Money and Enterprise 1
- Music, Money and Enterprise 2
- Live Music TV Show
- Composition for Media
- AudioVisual Performance
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Commercial Music at Bath Spa University earn?
The median salary is £26,500 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,000 and £29,500. The £25,000 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BA Commercial Music at Bath Spa University do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Commercial Music at Bath Spa University?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Commercial Music at Bath Spa University?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 123 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Commercial Music at Bath Spa University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.