University of Northampton
The University of Northampton
Waterside Campus
University Drive
Northampton
NN1 5PH
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Course contact details
Course Enquiries
Email:study@northampton.ac.uk
Phone:0300 303 2772
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Popular Music (top-up)
- BA (Hons)
- 1 Years
- Full-time
- 21/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Waterside Campus
- Awarded by:
- The University of Northampton
Course summary
Our Popular Music top-up BA 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.
Choose to produce your own EP, perform at gigs, analyse and critically reflect on your own practice, record other artists, write a dissertation, compose/produce music for media, understand music philosophy, and delve into music education.
With strong ties to both the local music scene and industry, as well as nationally, we offer you the chance to network with industry insiders and develop your own network of fledgling professionals.
Top up degree for holders of HND, Foundation Degree or DipHE.
By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:
• Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one-to-one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.
• Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study, you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.
• You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.
Modules
STAGE 3:
• Professional Project 40 (Designated)
• Popular Music Dissertation (Designated)
• Pop and the State (Designated)
• The Philosophy of Music (Designated)
• Music and Sound Design for Media (Designated)
• Performance 3 (Designated)
• Music Education (Designated)
• Advanced Recording and Production: Client Demos (Part 1) (Designated)
• Advanced Recording and Production: Final Product (Part 2) (Designated)
Module information is quoted for 25/26 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly. 26/27 entry modules will be released in June 2026.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Waterside Campus
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 1 Years
Start dates
- 21/09/2026
Apply by
14 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:
- W342
- Institution code:
- N38
- Campus name:
- Waterside Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Northampton 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
14 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:
- W342
- Institution code:
- N38
- Campus name:
- Waterside Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Chat to student ambassadors
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Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
HND, Foundation Degree or Diploma in Higher Education in a related subject area (or overseas equivalent).
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Interview
- We look forward to welcoming you to an interview or audition at the University of Northampton. Interviews and auditions are designed to be positive, supportive experiences and around 40% of our courses include one of these as part of the process. If you are invited for an interview or audition you will receive an email from us with all the details about what you need to prepare. You may also see an interview/audition notification via UCAS on your UCAS Hub account. Please note that school servers can block emails from us so make sure to use your personal email address in your application. This is also a good idea as it allows you to still have access to your UCAS account once you have left school/college. You can see the details about what will happen at the interview or audition for your subject area at www.northampton.ac.uk/undergraduate/applicant-interviews. If you have questions about the interview or audition process here at UON you can email interviews@northampton.ac.uk.
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.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
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 |
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.
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