Popular Music Performance BA (Hons)
University of Chester
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.3) 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

Chester

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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

Chester

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 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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UCAS Tariff
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Access to HE Diploma
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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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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Course info

Develop your talent as a musician and performer through the practical and theoretical study of popular music.Course overviewOn this very practically based programme, you will also have the opportunity to develop extremely useful skills such as recording techniques, live PA mixing, songwriting and arranging – all essential for working in the music industry.Why study this course with us?Our course provides a unique opportunity for you to excel in performance while developing a critical mind and ...Read more

Develop your talent as a musician and performer through the practical and theoretical study of popular music.

Course overview

On this very practically based programme, you will also have the opportunity to develop extremely useful skills such as recording techniques, live PA mixing, songwriting and arranging – all essential for working in the music industry.

Why study this course with us?

Our course provides a unique opportunity for you to excel in performance while developing a critical mind and becoming an intelligent, multi-skilled musician.

Popular musicians learn in different ways so the course uses accelerated learning techniques to ensure that all students progress in areas of musicianship, making clear links between; performance, context, theory and professional practice. The Department is committed to this holistic method of study, helping you to understand the value in what you are learning as you become confident, creative musicians. As a Department, we also have excellent links with industry professionals and visiting professors.

Teaching methods

Sessions are delivered via lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials in lecture theatres, and performance spaces, which are equipped with professional gear.

Assessment

You will submit a variety of work for summative assessment, including solo and group performances, presentations, recordings, composition portfolios and written essays.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
2/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
35th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
56th
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 - 85 = 15% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
15%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Music graduate salary at this uni
£16,000
UK Music graduate salary
£17,000
What students say
P
Poppy
20 Nov 24

The lecturers are all very helpful and supportive and the society I am part of also makes my uni life more enjoyable. The only downside for me is that my campus (kingsway) is a..Read more

Y
Yingjia
08 Dec 23

best:the teachers in Chester very kind with Chinese student Chester is a very quite..Read more

Modules

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

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

CCC - BCC Grades / Points required

UCAS Tariff:

104 Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

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

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

DMM - MMM 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.

Access to HE Diploma to include 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Merit

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.

£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 EU

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

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

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Popular Music reviews

Popular Music
Popular Music
P
Poppy
20 Nov 24
The lecturers are all very helpful and supportive and the society I am part of also makes my uni life more enjoyable. The only downside for me is that my campus (kingsway) is a...
Read more
Y
Yingjia
08 Dec 23
Popular Music Performance BA (Hons)
best:the teachers in Chester very kind with Chinese student Chester is a very quite...
Read more
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How Popular Music students rated:

Student rating
( 4.7) 10 reviews
5 star
80%
4 stars
10%
3 stars
10%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 2,948 reviews
5 star
50%
4 stars
39%
3 stars
9%
2 stars
1%
1 star
1%
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Uni info

University of Chester
University of Chester , Chester

Once a teacher training college founded in 1839, the University of Chester has evolved into a 21st century university that opens doors...

Student rating
( 4.3) View reviews
CUG ranking
56th

Whatuni Student Choice Awards

Winner: Student support

WUSCA award for International

Whatuni Student Choice Awards

Winner: Postgraduate

WUSCA award for International

Whatuni Student Choice Awards

Winner: International

WUSCA award for International
University of Chester
Parkgate Road Chester Cheshire CH1 4BJ United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Bache  0.5 miles away
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