Program Overview

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Overview

The BA (Hons) Modern Music Industries covers the skills needed to succeed as a professional in the modern music industry. The course is designed and delivered by current industry professionals and covers the areas of recording, marketing, event planning, composing, genre studies, and music performance.

Why Us?

• Sunderland is a globally recognised music city (The Music Cities Network, 2025)
• Our Music courses are 1st in the north-east for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)
• With strong industry links and a focus on entrepreneurial skills, NAME provides a course for anyone interested in the music industry to study on their own terms with professional guidance
• You'll develop skills you'll need as a modern music industry practitioner to further your career in today's difficult market

Course Structure

This course allows you to lead on your own artistic progression by focusing on your vocational interests in the field.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Core modules:

• Event Planning and Promotion (40 credits)
• Origins of Modern Music (20 credits)
• Music Production (20 credits)
• Individual Progression Pathway (20 credits)

Optional modules (choose one):

• Keyboard Theory and Harmony (20 credits)
• Establishing a Career in the Music Industry (20 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

• Touring in The Modern Music Industry (40 credits)
• Analysis of Modern Music (20 credits)
• Advanced Music Production (20 credits)
• Continuing Progression Pathway (20 credits)

Optional modules (choose one):

• Recorded Music Revenue (20 credits)
• Introduction to Composition (20 credits)

Year 3 (national level 6):

Core modules:

• Vocational Portfolio (40 credits)
• Composing to a Music Brief (20 credits)
• Festival Curation (20 credits)
• Investigation of Practice (20 credits)
• Teaching Practice (20 credits)

Facilities

This course is based at The Peacock and The Fire Station, in Sunderland's cultural quarter and is delivered by Northern Academy of Music Education.

You will have use of facilities including music practice rooms, performance spaces, classrooms and sound recording facilities.

Entry Requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for Ireland. Please contact the Student Admin team.

You'll also be required to prepare an audition piece in a specialist field. We can consider those coming from a non-traditional entry route and a case may be made for entry onto the course if your audition is outstanding or if you have experience in the music industry. In this case, a sample of written work must be submitted to ensure that you're capable of the academic rigour of the course.

Fees and Finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

• £9,535 if you're from the UK/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Career Ready

This unique course prepares you for roles in music-related industries including music performance, venue and band management, event promotion, music recording, and content creation.

Meet the Team

Dan Donnelly

Lecturer

Dan Donnelly is one of the directors at NAME. He's a songwriter, solo performer, and lead guitarist for the Folk Rock band, The Levellers. He has written and recorded chart-topping records and singles, touring the globe multiple times. He has 14 years of experience running courses and teaching music in the UK.

Barry Hyde

Lecturer

Barry Hyde is one of the directors at NAME. He's a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and lead singer of The Futureheads. He's written and recorded chart-topping singles and albums, toured as a solo artist and with his band, and also supported bands such as The Foo Fighters, Oasis, and Muse.

Peter Brewis

Lecturer

Peter Brewis is a producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. As one-half of Mercury Music nominated act Field Music, he's been making records for many years including the UK top 30 album Open Here. He continues to record and play music while also teaching composition and production for NAME, where he is a senior lecturer.