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Popular Music (top-up)

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 1 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Waterside Campus
Awarded by:
The University of Northampton
More about University of Northampton

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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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.

Why choose the University of Northampton?

At the University of Northampton, you’ll benefit from a supportive, career-focused experience designed to help you succeed.

Personalised learning

Study in small groups led by expert academics, with dedicated one-to-one support. Our close-knit community ensures you receive individual guidance while being challenged to achieve your best.

Built for your future

Whatever your goals, we’ll help you get there. You’ll develop valuable skills, discover your strengths, and gain real-world experience - so you’re ready to stand out when applying for jobs or further study.

A modern campus experience

Study at our student-led purpose-built Waterside Campus, designed to provide an inspiring and dynamic environment for learning and student life. Visit us at an Open Day to see it for yourself.

Modules

Course 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

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • Top-up • 1 Years

Start dates

  • 20 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

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
Points of Entry:
Year 1

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
13 January 2027

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

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Chat to student ambassadors

Discover what it's like to study Popular Music (top-up) at University of Northampton: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.

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Entry requirements

HND, Foundation Degree or Diploma in Higher Education in a related subject area (or overseas equivalent). https://www.northampton.ac.uk/courses/popular-music-top-up-ba-hons/

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

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland & Channel Islands£10050*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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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