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Popular Music Performance
BMus (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · 15/09/2025 · UndergraduateMain Site
- Awarded by:
- Solent University
Course summary
Popular Music Performance scored 96% for student overall student satisfaction and in the top 20 in the UK. (NSS 2020)
Looking to start a career as a performer, songwriter, creative artist or studio musician? Solent University’s BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance programme brings together practical, theoretical and vocational learning to help launch your musical career.
Throughout the course you’ll be supported to develop a wide range of musical skills alongside academic, research and critical-thinking proficiencies that are relevant to many different careers.
The course features extensive study of the music industries including copyright, contract law and career pathways. You’ll also be encouraged to develop transferable skills in research, IT, presentation, teamwork, creative thinking, communication and project management.
The curriculum is taught by a highly experienced course team, many of whom are active industry experts with professional experience in performance, studio and live sound, electronic sound design and the business and culture of music production. The team’s industry links also enable a handpicked selection of students to record at the world-renowned Abbey Road Studios.
You’ll study in our industry-standard facilities, including rehearsal rooms and recording studios – and will have access to full backline and PA during your rehearsals and classes.
Beyond timetabled seminars and workshops you will be encouraged to engage with Southampton’s thriving music scene. By promoting your own shows, you’ll cultivate your talents and expand your understanding of real-world arrangement, composition and stagecraft.
Southampton is home to various nationally renowned venues including the O2 Guildhall and The Joiners. This vibrant mix of venues has encouraged a diverse range of local music scenes, perfect for gaining on-stage performing experience.
What does this course lead to?
Graduates from this course have gone on to work in professional performance, songwriting, artist development, live sound, teaching, and technical support.
Who is this course for?
Solent’s popular music performance course is suitable for both schooled and self-taught musicians who are interested in building a career as a self-motivated, skilled performer.
Applicants should have performance experience on at least one of the following: keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, or vocals.
You will create music as part of the course but evidence of music theory skills at entry is not compulsory.
Modules
YEAR 1 - CORE MODULES
Individual Performance 1
Live Performance 1
Creative Music Industries
Recital and Instrumental Sjills 1
Studio Performance 1
Theory and Listening Skills
YEAR 2 - CORE MODULES
Individual Performance 2
Live Performance 2
Music Portfolio Careers
Recital and Instrumental Skills 2
Studio Performance 2
YEAR 2 - OPTIONS (Please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each academic year)
Introduction to Experimental Music
Songwriting Techniques
YEAR 3 - CORE MODULES
Individual Performance 3
Advanced Music Performance
Entrepreneurship and Artist Development
Major Project
YEAR 3 - OPTIONS (Please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each academic year)
Songwriting Portfolio
Experimental Music Performance
Assessment method
This course is assessed via a range of performances, recordings, presentations, written assignments, music theory exercises, music portfolios, and website(s)/blogs. There may also be video presentations or other forms negotiated with your tutor.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BMus (Hon) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 15/09/2025
Apply by
29 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- PMP1
- Institution code:
- S30
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1, 2, 3
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Southampton, Solent University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
29 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- PMP1
- Institution code:
- S30
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
International applicants
For information about applying to Solent as an International applicant, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/help-for-international-students
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points
A level
104-120 from a minimum of 2 A Levels
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
DMM (112 UCAS Tariff Points)
Access to HE Diploma
Pass in Access course with 60 credits overall including 45 Level 3 credits passed with a minimum of Merit, or 102-118 UCAS Tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit or Pass Grades
Scottish Higher
104-120 UCAS Tariff Points from a minimum of 4 Scottish Highers
AS
Accepted when studied alongside other Level 3 qualifications
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*D
D*D (104 UCAS Tariff Points)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DMM
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - D*D
Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF)
This qualification is accepted when taken alongside other qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)
Pearson BTEC Certificate (QCF)
This qualification is accepted when taken alongside other qualifications.
Scottish Advanced Higher
104-120 UCAS Tariff Points from a minimum of 2 Scottish Advanced Highers
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 - 31 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)
Extended Project
This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)
HNC (BTEC) - P - D
HND (BTEC) - P - M
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DMM
DMM (112 UCAS Tariff Points)
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - D*D
D*D (104 UCAS Tariff Points)
OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
This qualification is accepted when taken alongside other qualifications.
OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
This qualification is accepted when taken alongside other qualifications.
OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate
This qualification is accepted when taken alongside other qualifications.
T Level - M
Merit (120 UCAS Tariff Points)
• Direct entry to years 2 (Level 5) or 3 (Level 6)
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses.
• Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.
• Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.
Additional entry requirements
- Audition
- Video evidence of a performance to be submitted.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | with 5.5 in each individual component. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 80 | with a minimum of 20 in each individual compoenent. |
Solent University can also accept the following English Language Test:
Duolingo English Language Test
115 overall with a minimum of 95 in each component.
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at this PDF document which outlines both Solent University and Home Office requirements for a number of language tests.
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
We understand that each student is unique. At Solent we encourage individuality and have adopted a balanced approach to Admissions, by considering exam results alongside portfolios / interviews or auditions.
Our contextual offer scheme allows offers below our standard academic entry criteria to those who have faced challenges which has impacted their performance and predicted higher grades, by taking into account additional selection criteria such as a strong portfolio, interview or audition.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
- Data from:
- This course and 23 other design, and creative and performing arts courses
- Date range:
- 2022-2024
Grades held by accepted students
- AAA
- Highest grades
- DDD
- Lowest grades
Offer rate for UK school & college leavers
Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.
How do you compare?
See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £17750 | Year 1 |
| International | £17750 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Sponsorship information
Solent University offers a number of bursaries, grants and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/finance/grants-bursaries-scholarships/bursaries
Southampton, Solent University
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Southampton
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Course contact details
Main Contact - Admissions and Enrolment Team
Email:admissions@solent.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0) 23 8201 5066
Student Funding Team
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