BA Popular Music Performance
About this course
BA (Hons) in Music, combining performance, production, and songwriting. Core topics include Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Research Methods, Communication & Writing, Design & Creative Practice, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The second-year Creativity in the Modern Workplace module includes a 140-hour industry placement. The final year features the Songwriting and Composition Portfolio and CSP Negotiated Research Project modules, plus a collaborative Creative Futures project with students across the School for the Creative Industries.
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
UCAS points: 104 A level: 104 UCAS points from GCE A Levels or equivalent. Typical offer - CCC/BCC IB: 28 Points
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What students say
Based on about 7 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 84%
- Learning opportunities: 75%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 55%
- Learning resources: 82%
- Student voice: 70%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 7 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 25%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 55%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 145 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 59%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 9%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 3%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 6%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Music Undergraduate Fundamentals
- Music Application
- Spanish: Communication in Practice
- French: Intermediate Language Development
- Spanish: Intermediate Language Development
- Chinese: Intermediate Language Development
- German: Communication in Practice
- French: Communication in Practice
- Subsidiary Language
- Across The Music Industry
- Popular Music Performance Development
- Creative Futures: CSP
- Creativity in the Modern Workplace
- Upper Intermediate Language Development and Global Employability
- Advanced Language Development and Global Sustainability
- Post Beginner Language Development and Global Cultures
- Experiential Overseas Learning
- Developing Intercultural Literacy and Cross-Cultural Skills
- Study Abroad Immersive Year
- Performance Platform
- Live Session Musicianship
- Live Event: Analysis and Professional Practice
- Recording Sessions
- Songwriting and Composition Portfolio
- CSP Negotiated Research Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Popular Music Performance at University of Chester earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £17,500 after 3 years, £21,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £17,000 and £27,500. The £21,000 median after five years is £3,500 less than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BA Popular Music Performance at University of Chester do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Popular Music Performance at University of Chester?
84% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Popular Music Performance at University of Chester?
The typical offer is CCC at A level, or 28 points in the IB. The average entrant had 128 UCAS points.
Does BA Popular Music Performance at University of Chester include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Popular Music Performance at University of Chester?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.