BA Popular and Commercial Music
About this course
BA (Hons) in Music, covering popular and commercial music styles. Core topics include design and creative practice. The programme includes a Major Project in the final year and practical modules covering festival organisation and digital record label management.
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: 96 (or above) Typical qualification requirements: A Level: CCC to include a relevant subject (this is equivalent to 96 UCAS tariff points). Welsh BACC: Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and CC at A Level with a relevant art and design subject (this is equivalent to 96 UCAS tariff points). BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit in a relevant subject (this is equivalent to 96 UCAS tariff points). Access to HE: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points T Level: Pass (C and above) Additional requirements include: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances. Selection for this course is based on a suitable application. If you do not meet the entry criteria you may also be required to attend an interview to help us assess your suitability for the course.
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What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 64%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 87%
What graduates do next
Based on about 14 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 50%
- Customer service occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Protective service occupations: 5%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 25%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 155 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 4%
- South East: 3%
- South West: 8%
- Wales: 75%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Modules
- Inside the Music: Theory, Analysis and Songwriting
- Getting Plugged In
- Music in Culture, Context and Criticism
- Live Performance
- Studio Practice for Musicians
- The Creative Musician
- Music and Sound for Media
- Professional Performance
- Music Industry Practice
- Major Project
- Professional Practitioner
- Immersed in the City
- Industry Ready
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Popular and Commercial Music at University of South Wales earn?
The median salary is £22,500 after 15 months, £18,500 after 3 years, £22,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £27,000. The £22,000 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BA Popular and Commercial Music at University of South Wales do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Popular and Commercial Music at University of South Wales?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Popular and Commercial Music at University of South Wales?
The typical offer is CCC at A level. The average entrant had 130 UCAS points.