Popular Music BA (Hons)
The University of Northampton
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.1) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

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

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Location

Waterside Campus

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

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

Location

Waterside Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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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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Access to HE Diploma
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AQA Level 3 Technical Level (1080 glh)
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AQA Level 3 Technical Level (720 glh)
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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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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OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
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Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
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Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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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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Course info

**Why choose this course?**By studying Popular Music with us youll develop your performance skills, music industry know-how, music technology abilities, theory and musicianship knowledge, learn how to record in the studio, as well as traditional academic proficiently. **Highlights:**- We offer one-to-one instrumental/vocal tuition to all of your first year students, and we offer masterclasses with international top musicians- We are accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES) ...Read more


Why choose this course?

By studying Popular Music with us you'll develop your performance skills, music industry know-how, music technology abilities, theory and musicianship knowledge, learn how to record in the studio, as well as traditional academic proficiently.


Highlights:

- We offer one-to-one instrumental/vocal tuition to all of your first year students, and we offer masterclasses with international top musicians- We are accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES) meaning we have their industry seal of approval- Our lecturers and tutors are predominantly professional musicians still working in, and with many years in the music industry, including working with The Specials, AC/DC, The Book of Mormon- Fantastic resources, including contemporary rehearsal booths, industry standard equipment recording studio, Mac Suites, software and hardware equipment to use in your music- 95% of our graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 minutes after the course*- Students have the chance to audition for Northampton Music Festival and other local festivals.When you graduate you will be more than a performer and engineer, you will understand why music is important culturally and economically and understand how the music industry fits together. With the changes to music distribution and marketing that have taken place over the past ten years, musicians need to be a part of this change rather than pursuing old ideas of labels and deals.


By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

- You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more. - Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop


to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).- At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2025 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2025

*. - Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.- Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.


The Northampton Employment Promise

- In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.✱ National Student Survey (NSS) 2023✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information✱✱✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
50/101
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
120th
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 - 70 = 30% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
30%
What students say
SR
Student Reviewer
17 Feb 15

I love it here at Northampton. The Popular Music course is amazing and the lecturers are so passionate about what they do. The students union is really good too. All societies and..Read more

SR
Student Reviewer
08 Jan 14

I came to Uni as a mature student. Now i'm in my 3rd yar and will graduate with a PGCSE. It's never too late. Study a subject you enjoy and think you might go into in the future...Read more

Modules

Modules (Stage 1)
Modules (Stage 2)
Modules (Stage 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BCC Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

BBBB Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

BCC Grades / Points required

UCAS Tariff:

112 Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

M:30 Grades / Points required

AQA Level 3 Technical Level (1080 glh):

DMM Grades / Points required

AQA Level 3 Technical Level (720 glh):

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

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

M2,M3,M3 Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

25 Grades / Points required

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

H3,H3,H3,H3 Grades / Points required

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma:

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

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma:

DMM Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF):

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

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF):

DMM Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

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

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DMM Grades / Points required

T Level:

Pass (C and above) Grades / Points required

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

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

Individual Advanced Highers can be accepted with Scottish Highers towards tariff requirements

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

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

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

Accepted on its own at Distinction Distinction or towards tariff/grade requirements with other qualifications

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

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

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

Accepted on its own at Distinction Distinction or towards tariff/grade requirements with other qualifications

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

Accepted on its own at Distinction Distinction or towards tariff/grade requirements with other qualifications

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

Accepted on its own at Distinction Distinction or towards tariff/grade requirements with other qualifications

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

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 fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£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 Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£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 fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£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 fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£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 fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Popular Music reviews

Popular Music
Popular Music
SR
Student Reviewer
17 Feb 15
Popular Music BA (Hons)
I love it here at Northampton. The Popular Music course is amazing and the lecturers are so passionate about what they do. The students union is really good too. All societies and...
Read more
SR
Student Reviewer
08 Jan 14
Popular Music BA (Hons)
I came to Uni as a mature student. Now i'm in my 3rd yar and will graduate with a PGCSE. It's never too late. Study a subject you enjoy and think you might go into in the future....
Read more
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How Popular Music students rated:

Student rating
( 3.0) 5 reviews
5 star
20%
4 stars
40%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
40%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 1,098 reviews
5 star
38%
4 stars
46%
3 stars
13%
2 stars
2%
1 star
1%
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Uni info

The University of Northampton
Waterside Campus University Drive Northampton Northamptonshire NN1 5PH United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Northampton  0.6 miles away

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