Program Overview

Popular Music (Top-Up) BA (Hons)

Key Facts

• UCAS Code: W342
• Level: UndergraduateUG BA (Hons)
• Duration: Full Time: 1 year, Part Time: 2 years
• Starting: September
• Fees UK 25/26 >: Full Time: £9,535, Part Time: £1,585 (per 20 credits)
• Fees International 25/26 >: Full Time: £17,000
• Location >: Development Hub (Waterside)

Overview

Our Popular Music BA Top- Up Degree allows you to choose your own focus within popular music. Blend a mix of practical music-making, with more traditional academic studies, or learn something new.

Highlights

• Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES)
• Diverse course with various options available
• Opportunities to perform in real-world situations across Northampton
• Interaction with partner degree in Music Production
• Industry expertise from published and researching music team
• Contemporary specialisms in many areas of popular music performance
• Cutting-edge hardware/ software: Mac OS X, Logic Pro X, Ableton, Pro Tools, Native Instruments
• Extra-curricular masterclasses
• Contemporary rehearsal booths, bookable outside of lectures/ seminar
• Chance to build a network of musicians from within the course as well as within the local and national arena. There will also be the opportunity to be introduced to local music industry organisations
• Guest lectures from industry specialists
• Chose modules totalling 120 credits with either a Professional Project or Dissertation
• Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise

Entry Requirements

• Standard entry requirements apply. Applicants are expected to have studied Popular Music or a related subject at Foundation Degree/HND or equivalent.
• Other Entry Requirements: We welcome international applications and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.
• English Language Requirements: All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level.

Course Content

• Course Details: The Popular Music top-up course at the University of Northampton is the final year of the undergraduate degree. Having already developed the skills and qualifications for years 1 and 2, in year 3 with us you’ll be able to focus from within a range of options including some of the following: Professional Project or do a Popular Music Dissertation, Performance 3, Music and Sound Design for Media, Advanced Recording and Production, Music Education, Pop and the State, and The Philosophy of Music.
• Stage 1:
  • Pop and the State (20 Credits)
  • Music and Sound Design for Media (20 Credits)
  • Performance 3 (20 Credits)
  • Music Education (20 Credits)
  • The Philosophy of Music (20 Credits)
  • Advanced Recording and Production: Client Demos (10 Credits)
  • Advanced Recording and Production: Final Product (10 Credits)
  • Professional Project 40 (40 Credits)
  • Popular Music Dissertation (40 Credits)

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees:
  • UK Full Time: £9,535
  • UK Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
  • International Full Time: £17,000
• Additional Costs:
  • 1TB portable hard drive (approximately £50)
  • a good pair of closed back headphones (approximately £60-100)
  • consumables for individual instruments (jack leads, capos, plectrums, drum skins, drum sticks, reeds, strings etc.)
  • USB Flash drives (data sticks) for submitting coursework (£10-20 for two)
  • £50 towards travel costs
• Scholarships and Bursaries: For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

Staff

• Senior Lecturer - Music Production
• Senior Lecturer in Popular Music

Facilities

• Your Popular Music BA teaching will take place at Waterside Campus, specifically the newly renovated Development Hub.
• Specialist facilities include:
  • Three fully kitted specialised soundproofed rehearsal booths plus break-out space
  • Small group sessions for most practical sessions
  • Live PA equipment and technician support for assessed gigs
  • Two recording studios: running Pro Tools and Audient 8024 mixing console, Neve 1073LB preamps, SSL VHD preamps, Apollo 8P, Apollo Satellite Octo, Rupert Neve Designs 5043, SoundToys bundle, Arturia V studio, Universal Audio Ultimate, Spitfire Audio Hybrid, Steven Slate Drums
  • Two Mac Suites: running Logic Pro X, Ableton 10, Native Instruments Komplete 12, Pro Tools, iZotope, FabFilter
  • Microphones: U87 condensers, AKG414s, Telefunken FET M60s, AKG 451s, Radial DI boxes, Radial SGI and re-amp boxes, and a full range of other industry mics
  • Hardware synthesisers: Arturia DrumBrute, Novation Circuits, Roland TB303, Behringer Deepmind 12, Roland Juno DS, Novation Bass Stations, Ableton controllers – Launchkey 49s, Launcontrol XLs, Launchpad Mark 1 and Mark 2
  • Live performance hardware: Vox amps, Marshall MG 4×12 amps, Orange Crush Pro amps, Peavey Amps, Ampeg PF500 Bass amplifiers, Yamaha Stage Custom kits, Gretsch Drum Kit, Studio AAX, full PA, three rehearsal rooms
  • Two grand pianos: Steinway Studio B, Bechstein Boudoir Grand, two Yamaha upright pianos

Related Courses

• Music Production (Top-Up) BA (Hons)
• Music Production BA (Hons)
• Popular Music BA (Hons)