BA Popular Music
About this course
BA (Hons) in Popular Music, a music degree focused on composition, performance, audio production, and the commercial music industry. Core topics include Research Methods, Ethics & Professional Practice. The course includes practical work on live briefs with commercial clients, staging public events, and completing a major independent research project. The first year covers foundational skills through modules such as Music Video Production, The Music Business, Music Cultures and Economies, Songmaking and Production, and Songwriting and Performance. The second year advances practical techniques with modules including The Future Professional, Songwriting & Context, Music Performance, Music Production, Music and Sound Studies, Music Making in the Creator Economy, Make Music Your Business, and Composing for Screen Media. The final year focuses on independent study and professional preparation through The Research Project, The Live Music Event, The Major Music Project, Sustainable Music Practice, and The Music and Sound Professional.
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
96 – 120 UCAS tariff points Your grades are just one part of your story, which is why at UoG we accept any grades from any combination of level 3 qualifications. A-level CCC – BBB BTEC MMM – DDM T-level Pass Here’s an example of how 96 – 120 UCAS tariff points might look for some common level 3 qualifications. GCSE in English Lang/Lit and Maths at grade 4/C or above are usually required. Unsure if we could offer you a place? Check out the UCAS tariff calculator or contact our admissions team if you have any questions.
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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: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 92%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 80%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 25%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 15%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 25 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 25%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 10%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 45%
- Wales: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Music Video Production
- The Music Business
- Music Cultures and Economies
- Songmaking and Production
- Songwriting and Performance
- The Future Professional
- Songwriting & Context
- Music Performance
- Music Production
- Music and Sound Studies
- Music Making in the Creator Economy
- Make Music Your Business
- Composing for Screen Media
- The Research Project
- The Live Music Event
- The Major Music Project
- Sustainable Music Practice
- The Music and Sound Professional
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Popular Music at University of Gloucestershire earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £16,000 after 3 years, £21,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,000 and £27,500. The £21,500 median after five years is £3,000 less than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BA Popular Music at University of Gloucestershire do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Popular Music at University of Gloucestershire?
90% 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 at University of Gloucestershire?
The typical offer is CCC at A level. The average entrant had 112 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Popular Music at University of Gloucestershire?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.