BA Music: Popular Music and Recording
About this course
BA (Hons) in Music. Core topics include research methods and ethics and professional practice. The degree includes a semester abroad option in the second year, and masterclasses are led by established industry professionals. The final year features a negotiated major project encompassing two areas of specialist study chosen from performance, composition, studio recording and production, and other options.
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
GCSE: English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent) is required. Maths at grade C/level 4 or above is preferred but not essential. You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below. UCAS tariff: 120 points. Music is a preferred subject for all qualifications. If you do not have a formal Music qualification you will need to demonstrate significant practical music experience at the point of application. If you are applying for 2027 entry the requirements will be: Equivalent to 112 UCAS points. Music is a preferred subject. If you do not have a Music qualification you will need to demonstrate significant practical music experience at the point of application. A level: 120 points. Music preferred. If you are applying for 2027 entry the requirements will be: Equivalent to 112 UCAS points. Music is a preferred subject. If you do not have a Music qualification you will need to demonstrate significant practical music experience at the point of application. T level: Merit. BTEC: DMM, preferably to include music. If you are applying for 2027 entry the requirements will be: Equivalent to 112 UCAS points. Music is a preferred subject. If you do not have a Music qualification you will need to demonstrate significant practical music experience at the point of application. Scottish Highers: 120 points, preferably including Music. If you are applying for 2027 entry the requirements will be: Equivalent to 112 UCAS points. Music is a preferred subject. If you do not have a Music qualification you will need to demonstrate significant practical music experience at the point of application. Irish Leaving Certificate: 120 points, preferably including Music. If you are applying for 2027 entry the requirements will be: Equivalent to 112 UCAS points. Music is a preferred subject. If you do not have a Music qualification you will need to demonstrate significant practical music experience at the point of application. IB: 31 points, preferably including Music. If you are applying for 2027 entry the requirements will be: Equivalent to 112 UCAS points. Music is a preferred subject. If you do not have a Music qualification you will need to demonstrate significant practical music experience at the point of application. Access to HE: Pass level 3 QAA approved Access Diploma, preferably including Music. If you are applying for 2027 entry the requirements will be: Equivalent to 112 UCAS points. Music is a preferred subject. If you do not have a Music qualification you will need to demonstrate significant practical music experience at the point of application.
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What students say
Based on about 30 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 87%
- Organisation and management: 78%
- Learning resources: 76%
- Student voice: 74%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 60 students who started
- Continued on course: 88%
- Left higher education: 12%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 35%
- Sales occupations: 25%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 30%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 105 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 70%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 2%
- London: 4%
- South East: 2%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 60 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 2%
- Other HE qualification: 3%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Musicianship Skills
- Fundamentals of Composition, Arranging and Technology
- Popular Music Style and Genre
- Performance Studies (PP&R)
- Applied Composition and Technology
- Interpreting Popular Music
- Professional Development in the Creative Industries
- Advanced Musicianship Skills (PP&R)
- Compositional Practice
- Studio Composition
- Audio for Media
- Studio Recording and Production
- Popular Music and Identity (PP&R)
- Creative Compositions and Arranging
- Advanced Performance Studies (PP&R)
- Advanced Studio Composition
- Advanced Studio and Location Recording
- Music Journalism
- Sound, Music and Society
- Project Scope (PP&R)
- Professional Practice (PP&R)
- Negotiated Major Project (PP&R)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Music: Popular Music and Recording at University of Salford earn?
The median salary is £23,000 after 15 months, £18,500 after 3 years, £23,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,000 and £29,000. The £23,000 median after five years is £1,500 less than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BA Music: Popular Music and Recording at University of Salford 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 Music: Popular Music and Recording at University of Salford?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Music: Popular Music and Recording at University of Salford?
The typical offer is 31 points in the IB. The average entrant had 143 UCAS points.
Does BA Music: Popular Music and Recording at University of Salford include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Music: Popular Music and Recording at University of Salford?
88% of students continued into their second year, and 12% left higher education.