BA (Hons) Popular Music Production (Top-up) (Full Time)

This innovative and stimulating music production top-up course combines creative academic study with an insight into the music industry.

UCAS codes

2013 Entry

  • One year Standard EntryW390

2012 Entry

  • One year Standard EntryW390

Entry level

2013

HND with a Merit Profile in a relevant subject Foundation degree Merit Profile (Pass with a minimum of 55%) in a relevant subject or Passed 240 Cats from a relevant BA (Hons) degree.

Applicants resident in the UK may be required to attend an audition. 

2012

Relevant HND (Merit/Distinction profile) or equivalent.

All applicants will be required to attend an interview.

You may be invited to attend an interview.

Modes of study

  • Full Time

In my view

SMILE was an excellent opportunity to meet people on track to do some exciting work in the music and media industries over future years. I look forward to a return visit!

Nick Halkes, Incentive Music,
A&R for The Prodigy

Career opportunities

Possible career paths include: 

  • live and outdoor sound 
  • studio sound engineer 
  • music publishing 
  • music promotion 
  • arts and entertainment industry administration 
  • retail 
  • education. 

For facts, figures and further details of graduate employability, view the career destinations PDF| for this course.

Want to know more?

Tel: +44 (0)23 8031 9653Email: fcis.registry@solent.ac.uk

International recruitment Tel: +44(0)23 8031 9129 Email: international@solent.ac.uk|

2013

 Course overview

This course is perfect for those who wish to pursue a career in the music production industry. You will explore popular music, developing your experience of music production technology and honing your production skills by combining studio-based recording with academic study.

To complement your work investigating the wider music industry, you will receive advanced technological instruction in our industry-standard digital and analogue multi-track recording facilities and audio production suites. Alongside studio recording and production, you have the opportunity to gain experience in live music production, studying the professional structures and working practices of the live music industry sector. You will also have an opportunity to create soundtracks for Solent Productions, the University’s own in-house TV production facility.

 Music production work will be complemented by academic research skills and critical tools developed through analysis of the structures, meanings, histories and cultural contexts of popular music.

You will be assessed in practical real-world situations whenever possible, gain experience of completing live projects set by industry professionals and undertake projects in the wider music production industry.

Our annual Music Industries Conference features workshops from some of the biggest names in the music industry and you will benefit from the expertise of our high-profile visiting fellows, such as producer Trevor Horn CBE, Colin Lester, CEO of Universal Music Group, Carl Palmer of ELP and Feargal Sharkey, UK Music.

Watch the video now|

Industrial focus

Many of our tutors have high profiles in the contemporary music industry and are published authors in their specialist field. Their professional experience, combined with the course’s work-based learning focus, will ensure that you graduate with academic expertise and essential practical experience, maximising your opportunity to work in a variety of professions in the music and media industries.

Course content

Four core units and one option unit:

  • Advanced Studio Production 
  • Working in the Music Industry 
  • Histories of Popular Music 
  • Major Project (Creative) OR Major Project (Research Report).

Options: 

  • Experimental Music Production 
  • Music Radio Documentary 
  • Song Writing 
  • Advanced Live Music Production 
  • Music and Audio Post-Production 
  • Festival Cultures 
  • Music Audiences and Consumption 
  • Technologies of Popular Music 
  • Popular Music and the Moving Image 
  • Hello Twentieth Century.

Why choose Solent?

Network with like-minded students on the Popular Music programme, take advantage of Solent’s impressive facilities and learn from experienced performers and academic practitioners. Use opportunities to increase your employability by taking part in a range of music projects in and outside the University.

  • Investment of more than £1 million over the past three years in studio facilities. 
  • Grammy award-winning music producer Trevor Horn and award-winning composer Simon May are among our visiting professors. 
  • An extensive programme of visiting lectures from music industry professionals. 
  • An Avid Pro Tools Learning Partner.

Assessment

Coursework only, including methods such as tests, group and individual presentations, essays, reports, and portfolio and design work. 

Projects/work experience 

You will complete live projects set by music industry professionals. 

Key career skills 

IT, presentation, communication, teamwork.

Industry quote

Trevor Horn, award-winning record producer

“I think the studios are brilliant. When I started out there was no technology like this and I think if you are a young person coming here to study, it must be wonderful.”

2012

Course overview

This course is perfect for those of you who wish to pursue a career in the music production industry. You will explore popular music, developing your experience of music production technology and honing your production skills by combining studio-based recording with academic study.

To complement your work investigating the wider music industry, you will receive advanced technological instruction in our industry standard digital and analogue multi-track recording facilities and audio production suites. Alongside studio recording and production, you will gain experience in live music production, studying the professional structures and working practices of the live music industry sector.

Music production work will be complemented by academic research skills and critical tools developed through analysis of the structures, meanings, histories and cultural contexts of popular music.

You will be assessed in practical ‘real world’ situations whenever possible, gain experience of completing ‘live’ projects set by industry professionals, and will undertake projects in the wider music production industry.

Our annual Music Industries Conference features workshops from some of the biggest names in the music industry, and you will benefit from the expertise of our high profile visiting fellows, such as producer Trevor Horn (CBE), Colin Lester, CEO of Universal Music Group, Carl Palmer of ELP, and Feargal Sharkey, UK Music.

Watch the video now|

Industrial focus

Many of our tutors have high profiles in the contemporary music industry. Their professional experience, combined with the course's work based learning focus, will ensure that you graduate with the academic expertise and practical experience maximising your opportunity to work in a variety of professions in the music and media industries.

Course content  Studios

Three core units and four options:

  • Working In The Music Industry
  • Collaborative Music Project
  • Live Music Production
  • Advanced Studio Recording.

Options:

  • Music and Audio Post Production
  • Advanced Live Music Production
  • Experimental Music Production
  • Songwriting.

Why choose this course?

  • As a part of the University’s Skillset Media Academy, a national centre of excellence in media education, you can be confident that you will be taught by tutors who understand current music industry practice.
  • Leading music producer Trevor Horn is a visiting professor.
  • A Pro Tools certified training location and a Digidesign sponsored school.
  • Investment of more than £1 million over the past three years in studio facilities. 

 

 

Music productionAssessment

Coursework only, including methods such as tests, group and individual presentations, essays, reports, and portfolio and design work  

Key career skills

IT, presentation, communication and team work. 

Projects/work experience

You will complete ‘live’ projects set by music industry professionals.