COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA (Hons) Popular Music curriculum is designed to develop students’ creative, performance, songwriting, and professional skills through a progressive three-year learning experience. In Year 1, students build a strong foundation through modules such as Popular Music in Context, Performance and Musicianship, Introduction to Songwriting, Professional Pathways in Popular Music, and Creative Collaborative Practice. These modules help students understand the cultural and industry context of popular music while developing essential musical, creative, and collaborative abilities. In Year 2, students refine their artistic identity and industry knowledge through modules including Your Sound and Music Industry, Co Lab: Research, Exploration and Risk-taking, Songwriting Development, Performance Development, and Production for Songwriters and Musicians. Students can further personalize their studies through optional modules such as Creative Live Event Production, Digital Marketing and Communication, Music Video, Podcast Production for Beginners, Festival and Music Events Management, Introduction to Live Sound Technologies, Sound Design for Visual Media, and Journalism for the Creative Industries. In Year 3, the focus shifts toward professional practice and career preparation through modules including Industry Briefs, Dynamic Stagecraft, Future Pathways, Final Capstone Project: Preproduction, and the Final Capstone Project. These modules enable students to showcase their creativity, professional skills, and artistic development through substantial independent projects. Throughout the program, students gain the practical expertise, industry awareness, and creative confidence needed for successful careers in music performance, songwriting, production, and the wider creative industries.