Popular Music: Production and Performance

Popular Music Performance and Production focuses on you and developing your identity as an artist through performance, song writing and production. With access to industry-standard facilities and teaching from active practitioners, you will engage in a balance of practical and theoretical learning that aligns with the demands of today’s music industry.

• Accredited by JAMES: Recognised by the Joint Audio Media Education Support for quality and industry relevance.

• Unrivalled 24/7 access: Fully equipped recording studios, rehearsal spaces, and multimedia centre available anytime.

• Strong theoretical and technical foundation: Combine academic knowledge with your unique creative output.

• Expert academic support: Active industry academics developing your professionalism, portfolio, and employability.

• Develop your creative edge: Explore studio recordings, digital music production, and sound design.

• Student-led music performances: Showcase your talent through events in partnership with our Student Union (Midnight Heist).

• Industry Week: Get inspired by guest speakers from top companies, join interactive workshops, and gain insider tips from leading professionals.

• Close venue connections: Strong links with local and nationally recognised venues.

• Community music projects: Opportunities to collaborate and make an impact.

• Educational discounts: Save on products, including hearing protection.

Our Popular Music Performance and Production degree places performance at its core, supporting you to develop as a confident, creative and versatile artist. Alongside this, you will build a strong understanding of production and technology, recognising that today’s performers are also creators, producers and collaborators within an evolving music industry.

In Year 1, you will establish the foundations of your practice as a performer, songwriter and creative musician. Through a combination of live performance, rehearsal, and studio-based work, you will begin shaping your artistic identity. You will also explore how technology supports performance, while being introduced to key ethical and professional considerations within the industry. Modules include Performance Techniques, Songwriting, Studio Recording and Guerrilla Music Production.

In Year 2, you will deepen your performance practice while expanding your understanding of how music is created, produced and shared. You will explore the relationship between performance, production and audience, developing your skills both as an individual artist and as part of collaborative projects. Working in bands, production teams and live settings, you will gain real-world experience that reflects industry practice.

By Year 3, you will be working at an advanced level, developing a distinctive artistic voice and a professional portfolio that reflects your ambitions. You will take ownership of your creative direction, producing high-quality performances and recorded outputs that align with industry expectations. Teaching is designed to support autonomy, critical thinking and professional readiness, preparing you for a sustainable career in the music and wider creative industries.

Throughout the programme, you will be taught by experienced practitioners who are active performers, producers and industry professionals. Their use of technology within their own creative practice informs your learning, ensuring that what you study is current, relevant and grounded in real-world application.

We are committed to supporting your creative and professional development, encouraging individuality, collaboration and a strong sense of purpose. At Winchester, your experience is shaped by our core values of creativity, criticality and professionalism, helping you to become not only a skilled performer, but a thoughtful and adaptable artist.

https://www.winchester.ac.uk/w374