Program Overview

Commercial Music BA (Hons)

Overview

Develop your talent as a music producer and performer through the practical and theoretical study of commercial music. On this very practically based degree, alongside performing you will have the opportunity to develop extremely useful skills such as recording techniques, studio mixing, live sound engineering, songwriting and arranging – all essential for working in the music industry.

Course Details

• Level: Undergraduate
• UCAS Code: W390
• UCAS Points: 104
• Start date: Oct 2025, Oct 2026
• Duration: 3 years
• Location: Creative Campus, Kingsway, Chester
• UK fees: £9,535 per year for a full-time course (2025/26)
• International fees: £14,450 per year for a full-time course* (2025/26)

Course Leader

• Jim Mason

Course Structure

Year 1 (Level 4)

• Music Undergraduate Fundamentals (100 Credits) Core
  • This module provides you with the necessary foundations for studying music. Key areas include popular music studies essentials, music harmony and composition basics, live sound set up, digital audio workstation fundamentals, essential performance skills, recording techniques, and music production.
• Music Application (20 Credits) Option
  • You will have an opportunity to apply some of the skills developed in Music Undergraduate Fundamentals to a live performance and / or recording and production context.
• Language options (20 Credits) Option
  • You now have the opportunity to pick an optional module to learn a new language or build on your existing language skills as part of your degree.

Year 2 (Level 5)

• Across The Music Industry (40 Credits) Core
  • Developing from the introduction of music fundamentals, this module introduces students to a further range of important areas that are central to the music industry.
• Commercial Music Development (40 Credits) Core
  • TBC
• Language options (40 Credits) Option
  • The Level 5, 40-credit modules require a basic foundation of knowledge of your chosen language e.g. GCSE or equivalent, a Level 4 module in the same language or equivalent previous learning.
• Creativity in the Modern Workplace (40 Credits) Option
  • The module provides students with an opportunity to undertake a 140-hour work placement*.
• Creative Futures: CSP (40 Credits) Option
  • This module will provide you with the practical and theoretical underpinning of professional practice in your specific subject, enabling you to identify and develop key employability attributes and skills in preparation for your future career.

Year 3 (Level 6)

• Live Event: Analysis and Professional Practice (20 Credits) Core
  • This module creates the opportunity for you to consider the nature of the performed musical event and associated professional practices.
• Recording Sessions (20 Credits) Core
  • This module aims to introduce you to practical aspects of industry standard session work, focussing on the skills needed to become a working musician or engineer, either in recording or live context, typically via a simulated real session environment.
• Performance Platform (20 Credits) Core
  • In this module you be guided in your development of a professional regime of practice on your instrument or voice through a series of masterclasses.
• Music and Sound Effects for the Moving Image (20 Credits) Option
  • This module focuses on the creation and production of music and sound effects in the context of moving visuals.
• Live Session Musicianship (20 Credits) Option
  • This module aims to introduce you to practical aspects of industry standard session work, focussing on the skills needed to become a working musician in a live context, typically via a simulated real session environment.
• Songwriting and Composition Portfolio (40 Credits) Option
  • This module gives you the opportunity to identify and independently pursue a suitable research area and integrate this within your own portfolio of work.
• CSP Negotiated Research Project (40 Credits) Option
  • This self-directed module allows students to initiate and develop their own major project ideas appropriate to their discipline of study.

How You'll Learn

• The majority of teaching takes place in lectures, workshops, studio sessions, other practical sessions and peer-led seminars
• This course is designed around in-person study
• You will be assessed in a variety of ways
• Collaborate with students from related courses

Entry Requirements

• Home Students
  • UCAS Points: 104 UCAS points
  • GCE A Level: 104 UCAS points from GCE A Levels or equivalent. Typical offer - CCC/BCC
  • BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
  • T Level: Pass (C or above on the core)
  • Irish / Scottish Highers: Irish Highers - H3, H3, H3, H4, H4 Scottish Highers - BBBB
  • International Baccalaureate: 28 points
  • Access requirements: Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Merit
  • OCR: OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DMM
  • Extra Information / General Entry Requirements: Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. We accept the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma. Applicants will be required to attend an audition. ABRSM Grade 8 or equivalent on your instrument (or voice), and the ability to read music, would be preferred. Do not let this put you off applying; reading music is not essential and if you don't have grade 8 we will probably still offer you an audition. Candidates who do not meet the minimum entry requirements, or who have non-standard qualifications and relevant music experience, are encouraged to apply and will be considered if they can demonstrate appropriate ability through their audition.
• International Students
  • Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study.

Fees and Funding

• Home Students
  • £9,535 per year for a full-time course (2025/26)
• International Students
  • £14,450 per year for a full-time course* (2025/26)
• Additional Costs
  • Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials.

Who You'll Learn From

• Jim Mason
  • Senior Lecturer
• Dr Ruth Dockwray
  • Associate Professor
• Ben Broughton
  • Head of Division

Where You'll Study

• Creative Campus, Kingsway
  • Home to courses in Art and Design, Music, Media, and Performance; Kingsway presents fantastic opportunities for collaboration between artists, designers, writers, producers, and performers alike.

Facilities

• Music Rehearsal and Recording Facilities
  • Benefit from sound-proofed rehearsal spaces, equipped with the latest technology for recording and live sound, as well as four fully equipped rehearsal and performance studios, an outdoor performance space, and a smaller indoor space for intimate performances.
• Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC)
  • We have our own Contemporary Art Space (CASC) Foyer Gallery which offers onsite exhibition space for internal and external formal shows, in addition, there are also informal exhibition spaces across the campus for student and staff interim exhibitions.
• Equipment Loan Provision
  • Along with our recording spaces and post-production facilities, the University has an extensive loan provision which includes a range of video cameras, audio recording devices, and specialist kit, so that students can continue to perform and practice outside of their studies.

Your Future Career

• Careers Service
  • The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
• Related Courses
  • Music Production BA (Hons)
  • Popular Music Performance BA (Hons)