**Why Popular Music?**
Our forward-thinking Popular Music degree prepares musicians to build sustainable and diverse careers in the creative industries. You’ll develop creative music-making skills including production, songwriting, performance, composition for screen media, studio techniques, marketing, business enterprise and more.
If you like playing live, you’ll have opportunities to perform at festivals like Wychwood, Cheltenham Jazz and 2000trees, or at our annual European Capital City Showcase in cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam and Berlin. You’ll also work on industry projects, for example with the BBC Introducing team, and enhance your CV through client briefs and placements with the likes of Universal Music, Sony ATV and independent Grime label, No Hats No Hoods.
Our award-winning tutors are all industry active, as songwriters, producers, performers and researchers. They curate independent labels and festivals, and run community and digital music projects. Their extensive connections ensure you get the latest industry insights and hear regularly from guests from organisations like International Talent Booking, Warner Chappell and Keychange.
You’ll have 24-hour access to our music studios, production labs and rehearsal spaces, and will make music videos in our film, TV and VFX studios. Working closely with other media students, you’ll create music for film, animation and games, and develop live events and business solutions with students from across the university.
**Why University of Gloucestershire?**
We’ve been using our expertise to support and inspire students since 1847. Join us and you will benefit from professional-standard facilities in the beautiful, historic surroundings of Cheltenham and Gloucester. Our vibrant and tight-knit community of over 10,000 students and staff paired with a wide variety of courses means you will have the best of both worlds – a diverse community of sports clubs, societies and activities while also benefiting from specialist lecturers who value you as an individual.
Who Cares? We do. We care about our students and the planet. We listened to what our students value most, turning our prospectus digital and providing opportunities for them to protect the planet and move on to study in an environment that works hard to support future generations. As a result, we’re proud that the University of Gloucestershire has been judged the UK’s most sustainable university.
Our students never tire of finding inspiration here in the dynamic county of Gloucestershire, home to over 45 festivals every year, including 2000trees, Wychwood and the world-famous Cheltenham Literature festival. Many students gain valuable skills and experience working at these events alongside their studies.
**After the course**
Your story with us doesn’t end at graduation. We are proud of our record that 92% of University of Gloucestershire graduates are in work or further study within six months of completing their course*, and throughout your studies we are committed to working with you to develop your future plan.
*Graduate Outcomes Survey published 2021 and based on 2018/19 leavers.
**Experience an open day**
Book yourself a place at a University of Gloucestershire open day at www.glos.ac.uk/BookAnOpenDay. Our open days have been designed to inform you, inspire you, and help you make the right decision about your next step. It’s your chance to see the university for yourself, get a real insight into what we're about and meet your potential course tutors and lecturers. Our friendly student ambassadors will also be on hand to show you round your campus.
**To find out more information about this course, visit www.glos.ac.uk/OurCourses, email us on enquiries@glos.ac.uk or call 03330 14 14 14.**
Course Details - Modules
Your first year lays the groundwork for building a career in music. You’ll explore creative music production, songwriting, performance and video production, and engage with cultural and critical themes relating to music. You’ll establish your industry mindset and begin the process of identifying relevant career opportunities for yourself as a musician.
Year 2 builds a professional framework around your skillset, enabling you to specialise and develop your creativity, both as a commercial songwriter / producer and as a composer for screen media. You’ll strengthen your musicianship as a performer, both on stage and in the studio, and create a portfolio of industry projects that builds your awareness of the employability and freelance opportunities available to you.
Your final year gets you ready for industry and to launch your career. You’ll work across key areas of musical creativity, performance, professional experience and industry briefs. You’ll also develop commercial and critical insights via an individual research project.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
W300
Institution code:
G50
Campus Name:
Main Site
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Pass (C or above on the core)
Grade 4/C in GCSE English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent) are normally required.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
International students will need to produce evidence of an acceptable score on an approved English language test such as IELTS.
We run pre-sessional English language courses to help you prepare for undergraduate or postgraduate study.
