BA (Hons) Popular Music at Nottingham Trent University

Programme overview

A three-year full-time BA at City Campus, Nottingham, for musicians and artists who want to refine their craft and artistic identity. Students explore songwriting, live performance and creative production through live projects and showcases, and learn self-promotion, digital presence and audience engagement.

Faculty: Nottingham School of Art & Design | Duration: 3 years full-time (optional placement year) | Intake: September 2026 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Nottingham, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year one core modules include Popular Music in Context, Performance and Musicianship, Introduction to Songwriting, Professional Pathways in Popular Music, Creative Collaborative Practice and DAW Skills. Teaching combines workshops, live projects, studio sessions, lectures, seminars and one-to-one mentoring.

Career pathways

Graduates can work as musicians, songwriters, composers, producers, live performers, recording artists, music directors, DJs or sound designers; in technical roles such as sound engineering and studio management; in industry roles such as management, promotion, A&R and publishing; or in education, media and event production.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must provide links to two videos of contrasting performances on their main instrument or voice, and may be invited to an online interview. Typical offer in UCAS tariff points is not stated on the course page. Applications via UCAS; international applicants may apply via the NTU applicant portal if applying to no other UK university. English language requirements for international applicants depend on subject band.

Intake: September 2026

Duration: 3 years full-time (optional placement year)

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities