Learn how to succeed in the music business, from performance to production, by studying our full-time Popular Music degree in Cambridge. Explore the history and cultures of popular music and get practical experience in up-to-date production and performance techniques, as you develop your musicianship to a professional level. Get support to find work placements and prepare for a career as a professional musician, composer, music technologist or teacher.
Full description
Receive regular feedback on your performance skills, and assessment on live performances like Poptronix
Prepare for a career in an industry that grew by 2% in 2017 to contribute a record £4.5 billion to the economy – up by £100 million on 2016 (uk.music.org).
Make the most of Cambridge’s diverse music scene, from classical to UK rap, and our links to local networks such as Cambridge Arts Network and Cambridge Live
Perform at venues on-campus and around Cambridge such as Cambridge Junction and ARU's Academy, as well as festivals including the Big Weekend and Cambridge Folk Festival
Immerse yourself in our industrious student community - collaborate on projects such as music videos and film or computer game soundtracks
Get individual vocal or instrumental training from tutors of international repute
Use our facilities to develop your music and experiment with different styles and techniques.
Our BA (Hons) Popular Music will help you develop your musicianship to a new level. Your core studies will take you through the key skills in music-making, including notation and song writing. Through a continuing study of the history and culture of popular music, you’ll gain an awareness of different styles and techniques that you can then use to inform your own music.
On our optional modules, you’ll find many other aspects of popular music to explore. Whether you’re interested in the music industry, world music, performance art or music therapy, you’re sure to find something that will help you prepare for your future career.
In Years 1 and 2, you will also receive training in vocal or instrumental performance from our specialist tutors, which you can choose to continue in Year 3. Our weekly workshops and individual lessons will also ensure you get regular feedback on your performance skills.
Outside of your studies, this invaluable tuition will allow you to further engage with our performance culture. You’ll discover many opportunities to work alongside staff and students from other courses on live public performances, such as our regular musicals, operas and bands evenings, in venues on campus and around Cambridge.
You’ll also have the chance to listen to professional musicians on-campus every week in our lunchtime concert series, as well as attend workshops, masterclasses and lectures by visiting performers, composers and academics. Our links to local industry, including Cambridge Arts Network and Cambridge Live, will help you make the most of the city, and build the foundations for your future career.
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Level 3 (foundation year)
Foundation in Humanities, English, Media, Social Sciences and Education
Year one, core modules
Popular Music Performance 1
Popular Music in Context 1
Music, Technology and Entrepreneurship
Dots, Lines and Waves
Introduction to World Musics and Ethnomusicology
Year two, core modules
Chords, Contours and Grooves
Songwriting
Popular Music Performance 2A
Entrepreneurship for Music 2: Placement
Music for the Moving Image
Year two, optional modules
Principles of Music Therapy
Popular Music Performance 2B
Year three, core modules
Major Project
Collaborative Project Development (Music)
Collaborative Project (Music)
Professional Music Practice 1
Professional Music Practice 2
Game and Film Soundtracks
Our BA (Hons) Popular Music will give you a knowledge of music theory as well as the practical skills you need for a career in the music industry. You can choose from many optional modules to tailor the course towards the career that you want. Many of our past students now enjoy successful careers as performers, composers, music technologists, music teacher or arts administrators.
Studying the creative and performing arts will give you the ideal training for any position that requires quick thinking, self-reliance, imagination, teamwork and the ability to organise both yourself and others.
If you are interested in postgraduate study, after you graduate you could also go on to take our MA Music Therapy, for example.
We work with employers to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it – and they offer hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements.
You will have opportunities throughout the course to find work experience in areas such as music education, instrumental teaching, artist management, marketing, recording and studio work, or events management. Our links with local industry partners, including venues such as Cambridge Junction, and networks such as Cambridge Live and Cambridge Arts Network, will give you a head-start in securing your placement.
Insurance – Single: 300 GBP per year
