Popular Music BMus(Hons)
If you're passionate about popular music and want to take your skills as a performer, songwriter, and audio studio professional to the next level, then our Popular Music degree is for you. You'll have the opportunity to work with successful musicians who will develop your abilities as a composer and a producer, and will collaborate with other performers in a lively, creative environment.
QS World University Subject Rankings 2020 ranked the University of Huddersfield equal 27th in the world for 'Performing Arts'.
100% overall student satisfaction rating (NSS 2020).
You will have the opportunity to work with commercially successful tutors who can help you build on your composing and production talents.
The course offers an optional placement year to help give you the edge in your chosen career.
You will study in the purpose-built Richard Steinitz Building, a state-of-the-art creative hub with many practice rooms, rehearsal spaces, and professional-standard recording studios. You'll also have access to a large instrument collection, all the technical equipment you'll need and two purpose-built on-campus concert halls.
You’ll have the opportunity to take part in masterclasses and workshops given by distinguished visiting performers.
Popular music is a highly competitive industry, so we’ll do all we can to help you on your way to a career. We’ll give you the opportunity to develop industry-standard practices and techniques, while learning how to break the rules to unleash your creativity. You’ll choose your own focus, specialising in songwriting, performing, production or a mixture of subjects, whether concentrating on guitar music, pop, electronica or your own new style.
We’ll also give you the chance to learn from some leading musicians and practitioners – recent workshops have been led by the likes of electronic musician and DJ Richie Hawtin, drummers Mike Heaton, Bill Bruford and Craig Blundell, bassist Jah Wobble, guitarist Alex Hutchins, saxophonist Snake Davies, and trumpeter John Thirkell.
Campus Information
Queensgate
The university's main campus, Queensgate, is south-east of Huddersfield town centre. Virtually all of the university's teaching takes place on the site. The campus is split in two by the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. It features a mixture of converted mill buildings, and purpose-built facilities
Intakes
- Sep
Application Processing Time in Days: 5
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
How we can help
Learn about the ways we support our students, find our contact details, view our opening times and check out our frequently asked questions.
Jobs, work experience and volunteering
Find out more about the range of jobs available on the University JobShop, from part-time opportunities to graduate roles and internships. We also offer advice in finding and succesfully applying to these roles.
CVs, applications and interviews
Read our range of advice on how to craft the perfect CV and cover letter, how to use CV Checker, as well as our top tips for excelling in interviews.
Further Study
Discover the extensive range of postgraduate courses available at the University, including Master's courses, PGCE's, PhD's and more
Graduates
Find out about the plethora of services that we offer our graduates for the rest of their lives. There is no limit on our support, we're here for you no matter when you need us
Assessment centres and psychometric tests
Learn how to ace assessment centres and psychometric tests with our top tips.
PSW Opportunity
- 2 Years PSW is applicable after completing a minimum duration of 9 months course (like- Undergraduate, Postgraduate Level)
- 3 Years PSW is applicable after completing PhD level courses.
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
BBB at A Level .
120 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications alongside evidence of prior Music or Music Technology experience (which could be offered either through formal qualifications or a portfolio of creative work). ?
DDM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Practical and theory music grades will be accepted in the total points.
Applicants intending to study instrumental or vocal performance should have reached at least Grade 8 standard of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), Rockschool or equivalent at entry and attend an audition.
Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
120 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.
For international students:
We understand international and mature students may not have traditional music or music technology qualifications, and are happy to accept a portfolio from you to demonstrate skills relevant to the course. For applicants to our Popular Music degree, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of music theory to around grade 5 ABRSM (this could come from a graded exam, pop or jazz harmony exercises, or notated compositions in any style). If you would like to take our optional Solo Performance modules and receive individual tuition on your primary instrument/voice then we will also ask you to send us links to videos of you performing two contrasting pieces. You should be equivalent to approximately grade 8 ABRSM standard in order to take Solo Performance.
If you are able to attend an in-person audition then you may find the information here helpful.
If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent will be considered acceptable.
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Bachelors/UG Degree
- Duration: 03 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
45000 GBP
Average Cost of Living: 13632 GBP /year
Application Fee: N/A
Similar Programs
- Web Design BSc(Hons) at University of Huddersfield
- Textiles BA/BSc(Hons) at University of Huddersfield
- Television Studies and Production BA(Hons) at University of Huddersfield
- Sports Journalism BA(Hons) at University of Huddersfield
- Sociology with Social Policy BSc(Hons) at University of Huddersfield
- Sociology BSc(Hons) at University of Huddersfield