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Music: Popular Music and Recording with Foundation Year

  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Peel Park Campus
More about University of Salford

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

The foundation year of this four-year programme aims to provide you with an understanding of the subject to allow you to progress on to the BA (Hons) Music: Popular Music and Recording course.

Building on our long-standing reputation for Popular Music and Recording, our course is well-known for producing artists such as members of the British art rock band Everything Everything, singer-songwriter Kristyna Miles and James Cook (lead singer) and Rick Boardman (keyboards), members of 3-piece Indie Electronica band Delphic.

You will study popular music as a discipline from a broad range of perspectives, developing technical and creative skills while placing an emphasis on academic and theoretical aspects. Our masterclass series involves leading professionals from the popular music industry – whether performers, composers or producers - designed to assist you in your professional development and career management.

Salford’s proximity to Manchester city centre means you will be able to take full advantage of the region’s world-renowned music scene as both an active participant and enquiring spectator. Our students regularly contribute to programmes, theatre productions, concerts and gigs as music performers and composers, and the course provides ample opportunity for you to engage with like-minded creative artists.

You will

  • Be taught by practicing professionals

  • Study on a course known for producing successful music industry graduates

  • Be able to fully explore your creative ideas and passions through specialist portfolio work

This course is not open to international students.

Modules

Foundation Year

  • Foundation Musicianship Skills
  • Introduction to Music Theory
  • Case Studies
  • Foundation Performance Studies
  • Music Theory and Compositional Techniques
  • Introduction to Music Technology

Year 1

  • Musicianship Skills
  • Fundamentals of Composition, Arranging and Technology
  • Popular Music Style and Genre
  • Performance Studies (PP&R)
  • Applied Composition and Technology
  • Interpreting Popular Music

Year 2

  • Professional Development in the Creative Industries
    You will choose three of the following options:
  • Advanced Musicianship Skills (PP&R)
  • Compositional Practice
  • Studio Composition
  • Audio for Media
  • Studio Recording and Production
  • Popular Music and Identity (PP&R)
    You will then choose two of the following options:
  • Creative Compositions and Arranging
  • Advanced Studio Composition
  • Advanced Studio and Location Recording
  • Music Journalism
  • Sound, Music and Society
  • Advanced Performance Studies (PP&R)

Year 3

  • Project Scope
  • Professional Practice
  • Negotiated Major Project

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Peel Park Campus

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 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:
W341
Institution code:
S03
Campus name:
Peel Park Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Salford 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:
W341
Institution code:
S03
Campus name:
Peel Park Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

This course is not suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in a foundation year study pathway, the University of Salford website has details of the International Foundation Year.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 72 points

A level

72 UCAS Tariff points to include a Music subject. General Studies not accepted.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MPP

To include a Music subject.

Access to HE Diploma

72 UCAS Tariff points to include a Music subject.

Scottish Higher

72 UCAS Tariff points to include a Music subject.

AS

AS levels are accepted in combination with Level Three qualifications; including A-levels and BTECs.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Accepted in combination with other Level Three qualifications.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Accepted in combination with other Level Three qualifications.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Accepted in combination with other Level Three qualifications.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Accepted in combination with other Level Three qualifications.

Scottish Advanced Higher

72 UCAS Tariff points to include a Music subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

72 UCAS Tariff points to include a Music subject.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent) is required. Maths at grade C/level 4 or above is preferred but not essential. You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as the Level 3 qualification requirement.

T Level - Pass (D or E)

D or E in core subject

Additional entry requirements

Interview

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

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

Please see our website for latest fee information.

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