BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance at University of West London

Programme overview

Our BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance degree provides future popular music professionals with a thorough, industry-facing educational experience. The course focuses on developing the creative, entrepreneurial, musicianship, and technical skills needed to cultivate a career in the eclectic and diverse field of pop music performance.

Duration: 3 years full-time; 1 year top-up; 6 years part-time | Study mode: full-time (part-time available) | Intake: September 2027 | Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

This popular music performance course offers you opportunities to build essential performance-focused skills which are vital for the contemporary musician. Alongside an exploration of popular music as a broader sociological construct, this will ensure that you are equipped with a strong, creative and entrepreneurial drive, and able to employ a wide range of employable skillsets. Modules include: Performance for Audience; Popular Music Performance Project; Develop a robust approach to group and independent learning; Promoting Your Career; Performance for Industry; Year 3; The Collaborating Musician; DAW Recording and Production; Creative Industry Practices; Situated Performance.

Career pathways

You will be able to pursue a range of career progression routes upon successful completion of this Popular Music Performance Course. Additionally, you may want to pursue further studies upon completion of the degree, with recent graduates progressing on to our MMus Performance (Classical, Jazz, Popular) and MA Music and Performing Arts Education courses. Job roles include: Arts administrator; Composer; Community music leader; Creative entrepreneur; Musical arranger; Musical theatre pit band musician; Session musician; Solo musician.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

112-128; UCAS points required; from level 3 qualifications; These can include: A Levels at grade B, B and C, or above. BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction or Merit; Access to HE Diploma; T Levels. GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents. Level 3 qualifications would normally include Music or an alternative relevant subject area, but this is not compulsory. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Subject-specific requirements: Practical - A minimum of grade 6 standard (LCME/ABRSM/RSL/TCL) or equivalent on your chosen first study instrument. *. Music Theory – Grade 5 (LCME/ABRSM/TCL) standard. **. We recognise that applicants have experience of a variety of different learning styles and backgrounds. Therefore: *Applicants do not need to have sat and passed a grade six (or above) qualification in their proposed first study instrument. This standard will be determined through the submission of a video of themselves performing two contrasting pieces. These pieces should be chosen by the applicant, performed on their proposed first study instrument, and should not exceed a total of 8 minutes in duration. **Applicants do not need to have sat and passed a grade five (or above) qualification in music theory. The important element is the standard of knowledge, not the qualification. If there is any uncertainty regarding the requisite music theory knowledge, applicants may be asked to complete a short online task, which will allow a demonstration of the requisite skills equivalent to this level. Applicants who do not meet the required musical entry requirements for level 4 may be considered for entry to level 3. UCAS/course code: 06W319, W319, W324.

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,050 a year (2027/28). Tuition for: Full-time (3 years, September 2027); Top-up (1 year, September 2027). Source

International applicants: GBP 17,250 a year (2027/28). Tuition for: Full-time (3 years, September 2027); Top-up (1 year, September 2027). Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time; 1 year top-up; 6 years part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-apply-undergraduates

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