BA Music: Popular Music and Recording With Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Music, covering popular music performance, composition and studio recording. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Ethics & Professional Practice. The programme is a four-year course including a foundation year. Modules feature individual instrumental tuition, ensemble performance, studio composition and audio for media.
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: 72 points. Music is a preferred subject. If you do not have a music qualification you must be able to demonstrate significant practical music experience. A level: 72 points. Music preferred. General Studies not accepted. T level: Pass: D or E in core subject. BTEC: MPP Scottish Highers: 72 points preferably including Music Irish Leaving Certificate: 72 points preferably including Music IB: 24 points preferably including Music European Baccalaureate: Pass in Diploma of at least 63% (relevant subject) Access to HE: Pass level 3 QAA approved Access Diploma with 72 points, preferably including Music
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What students say
Based on about 56 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 84%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 65%
- Left higher education: 35%
What graduates do next
Based on about 48 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 71%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 3%
- Unemployed: 3%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 28%
- Elementary occupations: 24%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 8%
- Teaching Professionals: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 35%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
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 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- No formal qualifications: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Foundation Musicianship Skills
- Introduction to Music Theory
- Case Studies
- Foundation Performance Studies
- Music Theory and Compositional Techniques
- Introduction to Music Technology
- 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 Studio Composition
- Advanced Studio and Location Recording
- Music Journalism
- Sound, Music and Society
- Advanced Performance Studies (PP&R)
- Project Scope
- Professional Practice
- Negotiated Major Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Music: Popular Music and Recording With Foundation Year 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 With Foundation Year 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 With Foundation Year at University of Salford?
91% 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 With Foundation Year at University of Salford?
The typical offer is 24 points in the IB. The average entrant had 109 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Music: Popular Music and Recording With Foundation Year at University of Salford?
65% of students continued into their second year, and 35% left higher education.