BA Music Performance with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) in Music Performance with Foundation Year, a music degree focused on performance, commercial composition, studio production, and industry studies. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Design & Creative Practice. The course includes a compulsory foundation year and offers an optional placement year and an optional year abroad. The foundation year covers introductory studies through Creative Studies, Creative Technologies, Creative Arts Skills, Creative Project, Developing Practice, and Academic Skills and Personal Development. Year 1 builds foundational skills through Performance Redefined, Commercial Composition, Music Industry and Society, and Introduction to Studio Production Techniques. Year 2 explores advanced concepts via Composing for Commission, Music Business Studies, Spatial Sound and Music Perception, and Performance Interpretation. The final year culminates in major practical and independent work through Production Portfolio, Creative Project, and Research Project, alongside an available placement year module.
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 tariff: 72 A level: DDD T Level: Pass BTEC: MMP GCSE: GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
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What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 78%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 70%
- Gained a higher qualification: 10%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 17 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 50%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 5%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 415 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 54%
- West Midlands: 20%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 2%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
- No formal qualifications: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Services (JAMES) on behalf of Audio Technology, Music, Recording, Music Production, Games, Media and Audio Post Production Industries.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Creative Studies
- Creative Technologies
- Creative Arts Skills
- Creative Project
- Developing Practice
- Academic Skills and Personal Development
- Performance Redefined
- Commercial Composition
- Music Industry and Society
- Introduction to Studio Production Techniques
- Composing for Commission
- Music Business Studies
- Spatial Sound and Music Perception
- Performance Interpretation
- Production Portfolio
- Creative Project
- Research Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Music Performance with Foundation Year at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £18,500 after 3 years, £23,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £27,500. The £23,000 median after five years is £1,500 less than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BA Music Performance with Foundation Year at University of Derby 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 Music Performance with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Music Performance with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
The typical offer is DDD at A level. The average entrant had 122 UCAS points.
Is BA Music Performance with Foundation Year at University of Derby accredited?
Yes. Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Services (JAMES) on behalf of Audio Technology, Music, Recording, Music Production, Games, Media and Audio Post Production Industries.
Does BA Music Performance with Foundation Year at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Music Performance with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
70% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.