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Digital Music with Foundation Year in Popular Music
- BA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 21/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
- Awarded by:
- Solent University
Course summary
Got a passion for music production? Hoping to pursue a music degree here at Solent University? This year-long popular music production foundation programme is structured to equip you with the broad range of production and performance skills you’ll need to progress onto a full degree.
This course enables students from widely varied backgrounds and with varying aspirations, to develop their music production and performance skills, whilst helping to acclimatise to the ethos and expectations associated with higher education study in general, and study at undergraduate level.
Throughout their studies, students will have access to a range of contemporary, industry-standard software and plugins including; Logic Pro X, Ableton Live Suite, Pro Tools and Native Instruments’ Komplete. Students also enjoy access to our professional recording studios, acoustically treated workstations, DJ equipment/facilities, music labs, and instrumental practice rooms.
Students build a broad knowledge of music production, studio recording and live sound engineering.
What does this course lead to?
On completion of the foundation year you choose to progress onto the BA (Hons) Digital Music degree.
Who is this course for?
Students who are new to music production/music performance or those who do not yet meet the entry requirements for an undergraduate music production degree will benefit most from the foundation programme.
Modules
FOUNDATION YEARS
CORE MODULES
Music Kickstart: The Production Environment
Creative Industries Launchpad
Deconstruction Lab: Analyse and Compose
Creative Showcase
YEAR ONE
CORE MODULES
Open the DAW to Success
The Sonic Alchemist
Everything's a Remix: Finding Your Sound
Music that Slaps: The Art of Mixing
YEAR TWO
CORE MODULES
Cinematics: Digital Music and Sound for Film
Artistry to Industry
Live Lab Sessions
OPTIONAL MODULES - Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.
DJ Lab: Find Your Groove
Game Audio
FINAL YEAR
CORE MODULES
Spatial Mixing and Mastering
Co-Lab
Artist Blueprint
Professional Project: Your Industry Calling Card
Assessment method
You may be assessed by a combination of:
Project work
Individual presentations
Group presentations
Portfolios
Live performances
As part of this course, you will study one module at a time, giving you the chance to build a deeper understanding and see the results of your hard work more quickly. With regular assessments and feedback, rather than exams all at once, you’ll also benefit from improved focus, and a more manageable workload.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 4 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:
- DM03
- Institution code:
- S30
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Foundation
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
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:
- DM03
- Institution code:
- S30
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
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 - 48 points
A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at PPP or BTEC Diploma at MP or equivalent. Applicants over the age of 21 may be considered based on relevant experience, without having the required tariff points.
We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds. Applicants who are not in possession of the minimum entry requirements but are able to demonstrate aptitude, enthusiasm and motivation will be considered on an individual basis and may be admitted subject to satisfactory interview and/or portfolio. Please contact us for further details.
A level - DD
From two completed A levels.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - PPP
AS
In combination with other qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MP
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - M
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
In combination with other qualifications.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) - A
Extended Project
In combination with other qualifications.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - PPP
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - MP
OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma - MM
OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma - MM
OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma - D
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate - D
OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate
In combination with other qualifications.
AQA Level 3 (Foundation) Technical Level (360 glh) - D
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (540 glh) - MM
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (720 glh) - MP
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (1080 glh) - PPP
IELTS minimum score of 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.0 in each component of reading, writing , speaking and listening.
TOEFL (IBT) minimum score of 71 overall with a minimum of 19 in each component of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four components |
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.
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.
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 | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| International | £19081 | 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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