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Popular Music BMus(Hons)

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    Overview

    Perfect for performers, songwriters, singers, rappers, and producers wanting to make original music and develop a career in the fast-moving and exciting music industry, this course will help you build your skills in:

    • Performing as a solo artist or as part of a group
    • Songwriting
    • Music production
    • Music business

    Whether you’re interested in pop, EDM, metal or something in between - or something completely new - you’ll learn everything you need to create and realise fantastic music ready for the industry.

    Students on this course don’t have to choose between performance, songwriting or production – Popular Music BMus has it all. The course provides an incredible breadth of student experience that supports each and every popular musician to engage with music performance, creation and production whilst making your own artistic and professional choices about how to use these specialisms to build a career.

    Across the course, you will receive individual specialist tuition that will support your technical and artistic development as a Popular Musician. You will write songs, perform live and in the studio, record, produce and remix your music while also studying the history and culture of popular styles. You’ll have plenty of options to choose from, including individual instrumental or singing lessons, music business, film composition, live sound, and music education. By the final year, you’ll be putting together a professsional portfolio of your music, ready to burst out onto the music scene as an adaptable music industry professional.

    In our state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities, with access to rehearsal spaces, recording studios, concert venues and a huge selection of equipment and instruments, you can choose your own focus, develop your unique sound, and put industry-standard techniques to the test. You’ll also be able to attend masterclasses and workshops given by distinguished visiting performers and producers.

    As a part of the course, you'll have the opportunity to participate in both year-long and shorter placements, utilising our broad industry links to help boost your employability.

    Why study Popular Music BMus(Hons)

    Music is ranked 20th globally and 6th in the UK QS World University Subject Rankings 2023. Across the course you'll be learning from the best as your teachers are professional performers, songwriters and producers who will help and support you in transforming your musical passions into a creative career.

    Entry requirements

    BBC-BCC at A Level .

    112-104 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). ​

    Merit in T Level .

    DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

    • Practical and theory music grades 6-8 will be accepted in the total points.
    • Applicants will be invited to attend an Applicant Visit Day, at which you will have the opportunity to perform and be given feedback on your performance. You should have a good standard of technical ability and potential as a performer (roughly equivalent to the standard of grade 7-8 practical music making, where applicable).
    • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
    • 112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

    Entry is also possible for applicants who don’t hold standard UK qualifications.

    Applicants will be invited to attend an Applicant Visit Day, at which you will have the opportunity to perform and be given feedback on your performance. You should have good technical ability and potential as a performer (roughly equivalent to the standard of grade 7-8 practical music making, where applicable).

    International and mature applicants who don’t hold standard UK qualifications can provide a portfolio to demonstrate skills relevant to the course.

    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. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

    Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

    If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Music and Performing Arts Foundation Pathway Degree.

    Course Detail

    Core modules:

    Desktop Music Production 1

    This module will introduce you to relevant techniques and technologies for computer-based music production, including sequencing, sampling, arrangement, and a variety of other sound processing techniques. A range of practical work - both technical and creative - will develop your critical listening and production skills, and seminars will support you in applying these techniques to your own creative work.

    Music, Culture and Society

    This module will introduce you to a range of approaches to studying music and music technology. You will develop research, source-handling, evaluation, and critical-thinking skills and apply these to repertoires, cultures, and issues appropriate to your degree course. Linked lectures and seminars will increase your knowledge of key themes and concerns in music studies, give you opportunities to debate your ideas with others, and develop your confidence as an increasingly independent researcher.

    Studio Engineering and Mixing Essentials

    You will be introduced to the core concepts, theory and practical principles involved in producing, engineering and mixing popular music. You will gain practical experience in an analogue/digital recording studio, developing your ability to record and overdub a variety of sources. For the mix stage of the production process, you will then review the fundamental approaches and techniques involved in effectively processing these signals.

    Songwriting 1

    This module equips you with the skills needed for success as a contemporary songwriter. You will learn about lyric and melody writing, chord progressions and song structure. Using different arrangements, and a variety of compositional and vocal techniques, you will explore a range of songwriting styles and genres, helping you to develop your own individual creative voice.

    Performance Skills 1

    You will gain hands-on experience of a variety of key musical skills: improvisation; aural awareness; ensemble performance; and evaluating your own and others' performances. A wide range of styles and genres will be explored, and you will work with musicians relevant to your specialism as a pop, classical, or jazz performer.

    Specialist Performance

    You will work closely with an instrumental/vocal tutor throughout the year to develop your technical skills and musical insight to prepare you for solo and ensemble performance at intermediate and honours level. You will also be introduced to concepts of improvisation.

    Core modules:

    Inside the Music Business

    Inside the Music Business will introduce you to a range of issues relevant to the current music industry, from copyright, contracts and economics through to the role of the media in marketing, reviewing, and representing music. You will explore the production, distribution and revenue models of the global music business and develop the critical and analytical skills to understand these working practices and the ways they relate to your own practice as a musician. On completion of the module, you will have created the assets to represent yourself to industry as a musician and have a digital portfolio of activity related to your chosen aspect of the music industry.

    Performance Skills 2

    You will choose one practical option from an array of ensembles, bands, and approaches to performance. Options typically range from conducting, music theatre, and improvisation through to groups like orchestra, big band, brass band, classical and pop choirs, and a huge variety of pop, rock, soul, funk, and folk bands. Specialist performance tutors will coach you towards assessed performances that are open to the public.

    Desktop Music Production 2

    Building on the skills and knowledge acquired in Desktop Music Production 1 or AFM1208 Technology for Music, this module will provide further study of the techniques of computer-based music production. Techniques examined in-depth will include synthesis, sequencing, sampling, editing, processing and mixing techniques, as well as their creative application. Issues of pre/post production and arrangement will also be explored. You will also continue to study musical arrangement within a computer-based production context. You will explore these topics through practical technical and creative work that will improve your techno-fluency and abilities in detailed critical listening. Seminars will support the application of production techniques and ideas.

    Songwriting 2

    This module explores a range of advanced compositional and vocal techniques in contemporary songwriting. You will study vocal styles from different times and traditions, and examine the role of accompaniment in more detail, learning how to write effective backing vocals, string parts, and brass arrangements. You will explore ideas about identity and authenticity in the songwriting world, and gain hands-on experience of collaborative techniques and approaches.

    Plus choose two from:

    Projects in Musical Cultures (Extended)

    As an increasingly confident and independent musical researcher and creative practitioner, you will add breadth to your expertise by choosing an additional topic to explore from a range on offer. Using research to underpin and inspire both scholarly and artistic activity, you will engage with current debates within musicology, discover new repertoire and methodologies, and investigate music as a cultural text.

    Solo Performance

    You will work closely with an individual instrumental/vocal tutor to develop your technical skills and musical insight to prepare you for a solo recital and advanced solo performance at honours level.

    Performance Skills 2 (extended)

    This module permits students to select an additional group performance activity to broaden their study alongside AIM2412 Performance Skills 2. Please view that module for further details.

    Production Analysis and Critical Listening for the Sound Engineer

    This module will develop your production analysis and critical listening skills. You will explore ways in which to analyse music productions, investigate differences in sound quality between common studio processors and refine your critical listening and appreciation of music production sonic signatures. The module will explore the affordances of production techniques and equipment and investigate how they helped shaped the music production process.

    Studio Production and Spatial Recording Techniques

    You will be introduced to advanced concepts, theory and practical use of a broad range of equipment used for recording, editing and mixing sound. You will gain practical experience of sound recording in analogue/digital recording studios, in a concert hall and on location. Your ability to edit multitrack audio using advanced post production techniques will be developed, as will the skills required to capture accurate stereo and multichannel recordings in a concert hall environment.

    Arts and Humanities Placement

    The placement year is your chance to gain hands-on experience and build on the skills you’ve developed in your first two years of study. You’ll spend up to 48 weeks (minimum 36 weeks) in a graduate-level role, sharpening your professional skills, exploring career options, and boosting your future job prospects. During your placement, you'll reflect on your performance, develop real-world skills, and learn to approach your role with a critical eye. Your placement will be monitored, and you’ll be assessed on your achievements, setting you up for success in your final year and beyond.

    Core modules:

    Music Industry and Professional Skills

    After an initial lecture and seminar programme covering aspects of professional practice, you will complete a work-related project. Typical work-related projects include: documented placement work (for example, as a classroom assistant in a school; membership, administration or promotion of a non-university music ensemble; assisting in concert management; work as a music copyist and/or editor; music journalism; studio management etc.); researching and building a professional work-related website; releasing music commercially with associated promotion or an industry showcase event . Although there is no requirement for the work-related project to be music-specific, it should provide the student with sufficient opportunity to develop graduate and transferable skills for the workplace and must be agreed with the module leader prior to commencing assessment work.

    Independent Project

    Independent Project is your chance to explore an area of music that is important to you. You will devise your own project, and choose its format assessment method.

    Performance Skills 3

    You will choose one practical option from an array of ensembles, bands, and approaches to performance. Options typically range from conducting, music theatre, and improvisation through to groups like orchestra, big band, brass band, classical and pop choirs, and a huge variety of pop, rock, soul, funk, and folk bands. Specialist performance tutors will coach you towards assessed performances that are open to the public.

    Composition Project

    You will build on the experience you have gained previously in composition, production, and/or songwriting modules to produce a sophisticated piece (or small set of pieces) of music based on a set of staff-led options relevant to your compositional practice. Examples might include multichannel audio composition, instrumental composition, songwriting, music production, and audiovisual composition. Tutorial support for this creative work will be provided. You will be introduced to relevant techniques such as spatialisation, the use of complex orchestration/arrangements, advanced studio production, video, interactive or mixed media work. You will develop your ability to work with such techniques creatively.

    Option modules:

    Choose two from a list which may include::

    Independent Project (Extended)

    This module permits students who are already taking the Independent Project module to produce a double-weighted, more extensive project in terms of size of the finished output. For further details see the description for Independent Project.

    Performance Skills 3 (Extended)

    This module permits students to select an additional group performance activity and to broaden their study alongside the Performance Skills 3 module. Please view that description for further details.

    Advanced Solo Performance

    Supported by individual lessons with one of our professional visiting instrumental and vocal teachers, you will continue to develop your technical skills and musical insight as an advanced solo performer. You will participate in a variety of masterclasses and workshops to increase your understanding of a range of musical performance contexts and issues, and will work towards two assessed solo recitals.

    Advanced Projects in Musical Cultures

    As an advanced and increasingly independent musical researcher and creative practitioner, you will undertake an in-depth exploration of a particular area of music by choosing one specialist topic from a range on offer. Using research to underpin and inspire both scholarly and artistic activity, you will engage with current debates within musicology, discover new repertoire and methodologies, and investigate music as a cultural text.

    Advanced Music Production and Mastering

    As well as focusing on mastering for peak normalised and loudness normalised environments, you will study advanced concepts, theory and practice of recording and mixing. Whilst considering these processes from a historical context, you will review approaches and techniques at the forefront of modern music production, nurturing individual styles at the same time as emphasising professional sonic standards.

    An average 26.2%* of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online) in lectures, seminars, workshops etc. You'll learn in a range of teaching and learning formats, including individual tutorials, practical workshops, composition clinics, masterclasses and rehearsals, and opportunities for individually devised projects that may involve off-campus placements. Students are encouraged to take a full part in extra-curricular activities, including participation in bands, directed ensembles, chamber music and concert attendance both on and off campus.

    *based on 23/24 programme specifications.

    Assessment of this course takes various forms including written and oral examinations, dissertations, essays, seminar papers, analyses, practical projects, composition folios, performance recitals, learning journals and peer assessment.

    Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

    Feedback (either written and/or verbal) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

    Full-time or part-time study

    This course is not available to study on a part-time basis on an evening, at the weekend, or via distance learning.

    Further information

    The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

    Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for a bachelor’s qualification. These credits can come from a combination of core, compulsory and optional modules but please note that optional modules may not run if we do not have enough students interested.

    If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

    1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

    2. Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    3. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

    4. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

    At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

    Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

    *full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

    Placements

    Students from our Music and Music Technology courses have previously been on placement at Angel Studios, Yellow Arch, Warner Records, BBC, Elstree Studios, Wigwam Audio Group, Chapel Studios, and the Leadmill and many have had the opportunity to work with them following their placement.

    For more information visit our placements page

    Being on a placement has been incredibly beneficial. Working with professionals and having the freedom to get hands-on with industry-standard gear and software has been paramount when understanding the life of a recording engineer.

    Abigail Swift

    Abigail Swift, Popular Music BMus(Hons), placement at Vibrations Studios

    Click the images below for more information about our Popular Music facilities and staff, to find out about bands you can get involved in, and to see examples of student work.

    Progressive Rock Band, Phipps Hall
    Funk Band, Phipps Hall
    Green Room Recording Studio
    Progressive Metal Band, Phipps Hall

    Discover more about the course

    Your Career

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    Professional links and accreditation

    Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate.

    Inspiring Graduate

    Get inspired by real students and their careers.

    Careers advice

    Check out the personalised guidance we offer you.

    Student Support

    Discover all the support available so you can thrive.

    Further Study

    Learn about pursuing a Master’s or PhD at Huddersfield.

    Research Excellence

    See how our innovative research shapes what you'll learn.

    Important information

    We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

    Changes to a course you have applied for

    If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

    Cancellation of a course you have applied for

    Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

    Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

    We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

    Changes to option modules

    Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

    Major changes

    We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

    For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

    Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    Termination of course

    In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

    Equal opportunities

    The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

    Data protection

    The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

    Students’ Union membership

    Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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