Popular Music - FdA - 2025/26 Entry | Birmingham City University

Overview

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

You will develop understanding of the commercial music sector, study musical output and techniques, and improve your creativity, professionalism and practical musicianship to a level needed for music industry employment. This Foundation Degree is focused on developing the practical and transferable skills required to make you industry-ready.

This course is open to International students.

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. Additionally 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 modern day 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 programme will help you to develop a profile suitable for an artist looking for employment within the music industry and reflect on individual progress as an artist, learning how to improve along the way.

The course is extremely beneficial both practically and academically. I’ve had a brilliant time and developed relationships with many great people. I feel ready to enter the working world with a confident knowledge of my skill set.

James Burgess, drummer

Why Choose Us?

South and City College Birmingham’s advanced facilities put you in a professional working environment from day one.
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.
With a highly supportive and experienced staff team, excellent levels of contact time and quality resources, you will feel valued, encouraged and stimulated to do your best.
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

48 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: 48 UCAS Tariff points / DD (or equivalent) AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels A maximum of three subjects will be considered
Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate)	48 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 (E 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 Publishing subjects preferred but other subjects also considered
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications	48 UCAS Tariff points
NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications	48 UCAS Tariff points
WJEC Level 3 qualifications	48 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
International Baccalaureate Diploma	Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers)	Minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher	48 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
Welsh Baccalaureate	48 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma	Pass overall
Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media)	Pass overall
EU / International students	Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band. If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information on pre-sessional English courses.

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: FdA

Starting: Sep 2025

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

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: FdA

Starting: Sep 2025

Full Time
2 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.

Guidance for UK students

UK 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 and complete your details
Select your course and write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee and submit your application

You will be asked at interview to prepare two pieces for live performance and/or recorded tracks of music technology work.

Course in Depth

Year one

MAST (MIDI, Audio, Studio Techniques) 20 credits

Working Live 20 credits

Understanding Style 20 credits

Show Me The Money 20 credits

Technical Development 20 credits

Creative Portfolio 20 credits

Year two

Production Cycle 20 credits

Personal Development Portfolio 20 credits

Technical Development 2 20 credits

Final Showcase/Product 20 credits

Professional Music Practice 40 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.

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. utilising the transferable and creative skills developed on the course.

International

Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

Details of the entry requirements for our courses
Some of the good reasons why you should study here
How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
Information relevant to applicants from your country
Where to find financial support for your studies.

Facilities & Staff

Facilities

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

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.