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BA (Hons)Music Performance

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Starting in2026
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Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps

Why study a music performance degree at Solent University

Take your passion as a music performer or songwriter to the next stage - join Solent’s community of creatives and learn from a dedicated team of professional musicians, composers and producers.

  • 0rd
    in the UK for student satisfaction in music studies, out of 79 institutions (CUG 2026)
  • Top0%
    for teaching quality, out of 131 institutions (Times Good University Guide, 2025)
  • 0%
    positivity measure for learning resources in the subject of music (NSS 2025)
  • Learn from a team of professional performers, producers, composers, musicians and sound engineers with a wealth of international industry experience.
  • Great guest speakers. Previous guest speakers have included Fraser T. Smith (co-writer and producer of Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain”), Craig David, Ash Soan (drummer for Adele), Guthrie Govan (guitarist for Hans Zimmer), Creeper, Hannah Vasanth (keys for Rihanna), Jules Hepple (Grammy nominated producer), Imogen Heap (worked with Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Deadmau5) and Katie Holmes-Smith (BVs for Adele, Olly Murs).
  • Some of our successful graduates include Jordan Sykes (Songwriter, Netflix) Samm Henshaw (over 100 million YouTube views, BBC Radio 1 record of the week), Freya Beer (championed by Mark Riley, BBC6 Music record of the week), Lauren Bannon (Songwriter, ITV Studios Love Island), Morganway (Won ‘Best Group’ at British Country Music Awards).
  • Southampton is a hub for music and arts. We have excellent links to Southampton’s vibrant local music scene, and work with the city’s best music venues including The Joiners, 1865, The Engine Rooms, O2 Guildhall, Heartbreakers and many more.
  • Access an extensive collection of musical instruments, high end microphones, pro tools and logic digital editing workstations, analogue processing, synthesisers and live sound mixers include Allen and Heath.

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Course overview

Develop your individual musicianship and ensemble skills to professional standards through the study and practice live and studio performance, instrumental lessons, as well as extensive study of the music industry including copyright, contract law and career pathways, allowing you to gain experience both specific to the music industry and wider creative careers.

Students are also expected to develop transferable skills in research, IT, presentation, teamwork, creative thinking, communication and project management.

You'll have access to our industry standard facilities which include nine recording studios (networked with Protools Ultimate, Ableton and Logic Pro), a range of mixing workstations, and a Production Lab with 24 Apple workstations. Our large rehearsal for practice and performance are fully equipped with backline and PA, as well as our Dolby Atmos mixing room, instrument and synthesiser collection.

You'll be taught by an experienced course team, many of whom are active industry experts with professional experience in performance, studio and live sound, electronic sound design and the business and culture of music production. Staff frequently engage with on-going research in music composition, performance and production. And the team’s industry links have also enabled a hand-picked selection of students to record at the world renowned Abbey Road Studios, as well as the opportunity to take part in the annual Anthems event, performing to their peers and members of the public.

If you’re looking to study our BA (Hons) Music Performance degree but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, the music foundation year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress. Find out more about the music foundation year

Who is this course for?

Southampton Solent’s music performance programme is suitable for both schooled and self-taught musicians and producers who are passionate about developing their creative, technical and academic skills.

What does this course lead to?

The growth in the range of media outlets and the live event sector means that the best sound and music professionals are in demand. In addition, the entrepreneurial nature of the industry means that there are opportunities to be created if you have the drive and skills. This course gives you a chance to begin building your networks of contacts and practice your skills so you can pursue the wide and varied career opportunities in music performance and songwriting.

Upon graduation you'll be well placed to work in a variety of roles including music performer, songwriter, session musician, or other roles in the music and arts sectors.

Graduate stories

Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.

Read more stories
The courses available on Clearing are likely to have limited spaces, so if you see one that appeals to you just apply!

Abigail Bigness

Abigail Bignell

Current student

Facilities

Instruments provided include drums by DW and Mapex, Synthesiser collection including Roland,ARP, Arturia and Sequential analog synthesisers, Korg Kronos, Marshall, Orange, Friedman, Fender and Vox valve guitar amplifiers, Ampeg and Eden bass amps, and Mackie Pas. Southampton Solent's recording studios and rehearsal spaces are state-of-the-art and include Pro Tools Ultimate, Logic and Ableton digital audio workstations; microphones by Neumann, Coles, AKG and Shure; analogue processing includes Neve, Universal Audio, Focusrite, Empirical Labs, and Portico; software includes Native Instruments Komplete, and Plugins by Sonnox, McDSP and Celemony; live sound mixers include Allen and Heath DLive, and Midas M32.

The University’s media loans hatch also enables you to borrow equipment for university work, or other private projects.


International opportunities

Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.

Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.

For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.

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