Commercial Music BA (Hons)
University of the West of Scotland
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.1)

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Ayr Campus

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

09-SEP-24

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Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Ayr Campus

Study mode

Full time

Start date

09-SEP-24

Duration

4 Years

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Subjects

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Music
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Exam type

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A level
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Scottish Higher
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Scottish Advanced Higher
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UCAS Tariff
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
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Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
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Scottish HNC
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Scottish HND
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T Level
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Location

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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Channel Islands
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EU
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Rest of World
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Course info

**OVERVIEW**The BA (Hons) Commercial Music will assist you in developing the critical skills to secure a role in the ever-evolving commercial music industries.Whether you’re interested in music promotion, songwriting, teaching, tour management, research, sound engineering or instrumental performance, you’ll be able to customise the programme to suit your career aspirations. There are three strands of study: **Songwriting & Performance**The songwriting and performance strand is for students who ...Read more


OVERVIEW

The BA (Hons) Commercial Music will assist you in developing the critical skills to secure a role in the ever-evolving commercial music industries.Whether you’re interested in music promotion, songwriting, teaching, tour management, research, sound engineering or instrumental performance, you’ll be able to customise the programme to suit your career aspirations. There are three strands of study:


Songwriting & Performance

The songwriting and performance strand is for students who have an interest in developing a career within the creative sectors of the music industries: not just songwriters, musicians and singers, but also community music practitioners in fields including but not limited to: music education, music therapy, and community arts, culture and heritage and theatre.


Technology

The technology strand is for students with an interest in the intersections of music, audio and performance. Working in our state-of-the-art studios, students will have the opportunity to develop expertise in the recording of live and studio performances, production, editing, post-production and mastering and the creation and production of music and audio for media. Opportunities for employment may include working for broadcast services, live events and sound companies, recording studios, media outlets and corporate events companies.


Music Business & Creative Industries

The business and industries strand is for students who seek to understand the music industries as part of the wider creative and cultural industries. Examining both the theories and practices underpinning the music and creative industries, students will have hands-on opportunities to be involved in real-world music enterprises. To date, students have participated in a series of music industry events, staged within the university environment as well as in the UK, Europe and North America. Employment opportunities include promotion and management companies, digital music firms, media outlets, artist management, as well as various entrepreneurial activities.The course has been developed in collaboration with music industry professionals, and focuses on contemporary issues in commercial music and the opportunities new media has opened up.


PRACTICAL FOCUS

Reinforcing the practical nature of the couse, lecturers are practising music industry professionals and guest speakers have included Shirley Manson and Ricky Ross.In addition, there are a number of different work-based learning opportunities for Commercial Music students. For example, you will have the opportunity to study and work abroad via work-related learning module, which allows a select group of students to work and study at our partner institution, the Harris Institute in Toronto, Canada. In addition, students enrolled in the work-based learning module also have the opportunity for work experience more locally and across the UK. In years past, students have worked for prominent companies including: DF Concerts, Soma Records, EmuBands, and the SSE Hydro.


PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

BA Commercial Music has Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES) accreditation. JAMES is a recognised PSRB (Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body) for undergraduate higher education courses reference.The courses is also identified as an Avid Authorised Training Partner and this provides assurance that you can get quality of training on Avid products and solutions as part of the course.


CAREER PROSPECTS


Jobs


Further Study

Key stats

CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2024
68th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2024
128th
Music
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 93 = 7% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
7%

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Modules (Year 4)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BCC Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

BBBC Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

CCC Grades / Points required

UCAS Tariff:

102 Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

24 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

H2,H3,H3,H3 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF):

MMM Grades / Points required

Scottish HNC:

Pass Grades / Points required

Scottish HND:

Pass Grades / Points required

T Level:

M Grades / Points required

For year 2 entry, BBB required including English at C or above

including English

For entry to Year 2, including Higher English

including English

including English at Higher LevelFor year 2 entry, 28 points required including English at Higher Level

including English

For year 2 entry, DDM in relevant subject required

Entry to Year 2 with one of the following HNC titles: Music; Music Performance; Music Technology; Music Production; Music Business; Sound Production.

Entry to Year 3 with B in graded unit in one of the following HND titles: Music; Music Performance; Music Technology; Music Business

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

£1,820 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this is subject to change.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this is subject to change.

£15,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

£15,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

UCAS/IDP Connect

Uni info

University of the West of Scotland
University Avenue Ayr South Ayrshire KA8 0SX United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Ayr  0.5 miles away

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