Popular Music - BA (Hons) - 2025/26 Entry | Birmingham City University

Overview

The Popular Music degree course provides the training and skills necessary for a wide range of careers within the music industry.

You will develop understanding of the global commercial music sector, study musical output and techniques, and improve your creativity, professionalism and practical musicianship to a level needed for graduate employment.

This full three-year Honours degree develops both the practical and transferable skills required to make you industry-ready, and the contextual understanding and academic rigour inherent in high-level study.

What's covered in this course?

Awarded by Birmingham City University, this is a high level course with experienced staff and excellent resources. With 3 recording studios, 7 rehearsal rooms, 2 sequencing suites and a 600-capacity working venue on site, you will enjoy the exciting, creative opportunities and supportive environment.

Your principal study can be in performance, music technology, live sound or composition. The course takes a holistic approach to musical study, with every student developing a broad range of skillsets required to become a successful music professional. Assessments are varied and innovative, and often modelled on real industry practice.

You will study the theory, wider contexts and contemporary issues surrounding the global music industry and there will be regular visits from industry experts and artists. You will also develop the musical and creative skills required by a performer, composer or producer, learn how to work well in teams and demonstrate leadership, organisation and decision-making skills. This course will help you to develop a profile suitable for an artist looking for employment within the music industry, and to develop a clear conceptual understanding of connected issues and narratives, researching deeply into current musicology and practice.

Why Choose Us?

The main areas of the course – Performance, Production, Live Sound and Composition – reflect the reality and scope of the commercial music industry in which you can aim for a variety of roles.
South and City College Birmingham’s advanced facilities, including a 440- seat auditorium, as well as specialist recording studios and music technology suites, put you in a professional working environment from day one.
You get the chance to work with current music industry professionals and possibly undertake a relevant commercial placement.
Developing your creative, practical and professional skills, the course shows you how products such as performances, tours, CDs and radio shows are put together.
The college has Customer Service Excellence status, and is one of only a handful of training providers to achieve the government’s Training Quality Standard in three or more sector areas.
Top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction for Music (Complete University Guide 2025)
The industry focus of our training prepares you well for a career in music, or for a wealth of graduate opportunities.

Similar Courses

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

Essential requirements

96 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.

Applicants will also need to complete an audition for this course; see audition arrangements below.

Qualification	Entry requirements
A Level / AS Level	A Level: 96 UCAS Tariff points / CCC (or equivalent) AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels A maximum of four subjects will be considered Preferred subjects: Music
Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate)	96 UCAS Tariff points Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
T Level	Pass overall (C or above on the core) All subjects accepted
Access to HE Diploma	Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3 Accepted subjects: Arts, Media and Music subjects preferred but other subjects also considered
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications	96 UCAS Tariff points
NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications	96 UCAS Tariff points
WJEC Level 3 qualifications	96 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers)	Minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher	96 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
Welsh Baccalaureate	96 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma	Merit overall
Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media)	Merit overall

If you're applying with an International Baccalaureate Diploma or international qualifications, please see further information below.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply

UK Student
International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

Full Time
3 years
£9,535 in 2025/26 ^{✱ Important note for this price}
Apply via UCAS

(↩Back to price) * The Government is proposing to increase the cap on full-time regulated tuition fees to £9,535 for 2025/26 and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once legislation is enacted. Part-time fees are charged pro-rata, where applicable.

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

Full Time
3 years
£9,535 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Personal equipment (optional)

Whilst not essential, it is advised you own a computer or laptop capable of running LogicPro.

Software (optional)

Essential software will be provided but additional software may incur license costs. For example, you may need to purchase Logic Pro X (£200) or Ableton Live (£259) or similar.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Applications are still open for September 2025. Apply now

Guidance for UK/EU students

UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

Applying through UCAS

Register with UCAS

Login to UCAS

Complete your details

Select your course

Write a personal statement

Get a reference

Pay your application fee

Send UCAS your application

Guidance for International students

There are three ways to apply:

1) Direct to the University

You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.

2) Through a country representative

Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.

3) Through UCAS

If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.

Personal statement

UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*

The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.

You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.

Worried about Personal Statements?

If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.

Get personal statement advice

*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.

Course in Depth

Year one

MAST (MIDI, Audio, Studio Techniques) 20 credits

Working Live 20 credits

Contextual Study in Action 20 credits

The Music Industry 20 credits

Technical Development 20 credits

Creative Portfolio 20 credits

Year two

Production Cycle 20 credits

Music Business and Personal Development 20 credits

Technical Development 2 20 credits

Music Critique and Analysis 20 credits

Promoted Showcase/Product 40 credits

Year three

Music as Art 20 credits

Advanced Techniques for Emerging Artists 20 credits

International Music Business Realisation 20 credits

Major Project 60 credits

Download course specification

Download now

How you will learn

You will learn through workshops, lectures, recording sessions, seminars and tutorials.

All students receive weekly one-to-one instrumental sessions, delivered by our highly qualified visiting instrumental specialists on vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards.

Much of your work will be geared towards the development of professional products, such as performances, tours, album production or radio shows.

The course will help you to develop your own professional profile and explore your individual artistic identity. You’ll also collaborate with others and explore all aspects of the contemporary music industry.

There are four areas of concentration: Performance, Production, Live Sound and Composition. Each of these will enable you to understand a key area and to develop new skills. Undertaking work in each area reflects the reality of the commercial music industry where practitioners may perform a variety of roles. After an initial year grounding you in all disciplines, you will be encouraged to specialise in specific areas in order to develop more advanced skills. Much of the work in the final year is self-directed and always takes place in professional-standard environments.

Employability

Graduates from this degree course benefit from a wide range of career opportunities through professional graduate training programmes, and by demonstrating high-level employability through the academic, creative and transferable skills developed during the course.

In the music industry itself, SCCB graduates have progressed successfully to work with BBC Radio 1/1Xtra, BBC Introducing, Craig David, Sydney Opera House, X-factor, the Royal Variety Performance, Urban Audio, Blitz Games, music management and a range of ongoing corporate and independent music opportunities.

Graduate Opportunities

Graduate opportunities include studio engineer, live sound engineer, stage manager/tour staff, session musician, media music composer, independent freelance musician. Also you can progress to graduate placements/training in education, finance, public services etc. utilizing the transferrable and creative skills developed on the course.

Facilities & Staff

Facilities

This course is delivered at South and City College Birmingham's Digbeth Campus. Take a look around some of the facilities.

Studio

1 of 3 recording studios

The Crossing

A specialist 600-capacity working commercial music venue

Mac Room

1 of 2 Mac programming suites

Rehearsal Room

1 of 6 rehearsal rooms

Find out more about Digbeth Campus

Staff

Dr Simon Lesley PhD MMus BMus (Hons) FHEA: Graduate of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the University of Birmingham.
Nils Edstrom BA (Hons) PG Cert Ed: Three-time gold disc winner for million-selling records, producer of 100 professional albums and audio technician for TED and Channel 4.