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Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Popular Music course at Birmingham City University.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
C,C,C
A Level: 96 UCAS tariff points / CCC (or equivalent). AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels. A maximum of four subjects will be considered. Preferred subjects: Music.
You may also need to
Attend an audition
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year |
| Scotland | £9,535 per year |
| Wales | £9,535 per year |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| EU | £9,535 per year |
| International | £9,535 per year |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: W342
Here's what Birmingham City University says about its Popular Music course.
The Popular Music degree course provides the training and skills necessary for a wide range of careers within the music industry.
You will develop understanding of the global commercial music sector, study musical output and techniques, and improve your creativity, professionalism and practical musicianship to a level needed for graduate employment.
This full three-year Honours degree develops both the practical and transferable skills required to make you industry-ready, and the contextual understanding and academic rigour inherent in high-level study.
Source: Birmingham City University
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Department
Birmingham School of Media
Location
South and City College Birmingham | Birmingham
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Popular music
Start date
September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
Birmingham City University student reviews
1 year ago
Birmingham City University is a wonderful place to be, very accommodative irrespective of your ethnicity. Staff are well approachable
Graduate
Showing 596 reviews
3rd year
Paramedic science
Great simulation facilities for practicing skills learnt in university
2 months ago
3rd year
Paramedic science
The staff are very helpful and always available when needed. I feel the course has well prepared me for life as a graduate paramedic.
2 months ago
3rd year
Paramedic science
Very supportive staff and students, wide range of activities available
2 months ago
Graduate
Fashion design
In terms of societies and events, I always found things to do on campus. The Freshers' fair was always really good with lots to do and lots of freebies. I loved the society I joined too.
3 months ago
Graduate
Fashion design
I was mostly as City Centre campus so I was close to the city centre area. I always found things to do in my free time, had shops close by for my food shopping and could always find somewhere to meet friends. My friends and I really enjoyed the pub quiz at the Eagle and Ball and this became a week...
3 months ago
Graduate
Fashion design
I think I managed pretty well at uni with my finances. I did work a part time job which helped out with extra costs and I thankfully had family support too. My biggest financial concern would probably be financing my course itself - like my equipment and materials. But this is quite course specifi...
3 months ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at Birmingham City University
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
Here you can see ratings from Birmingham City University students who took the Popular Music course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
95%
high
Teaching on my course
95%
high
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
91%
high
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
100%
high
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
97%
high
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
90%
high
Learning opportunities
92%
high
Learning opportunities
92%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
90%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
94%
high
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
94%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
90%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
93%
high
Assessment and feedback
85%
med
Assessment and feedback
85%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
86%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
84%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
90%
high
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
81%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
83%
med
Academic support
97%
high
Academic support
97%
high
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
99%
high
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
96%
med
Organisation and management
73%
med
Organisation and management
73%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
81%
med
How well organised is your course?
67%
med
Learning resources
90%
med
Learning resources
90%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
86%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
97%
high
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
84%
med
Student voice
71%
med
Student voice
71%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
57%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
80%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
77%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
62%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
85%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
80%
med
Student information
See who's studying at Birmingham City University. These students are taking Popular Music or another course from the same subject area.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| English Literature | C | |||||
| History | D | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
Facts and figures about Birmingham City University graduates who took Popular Music - or another course in the same subject area.
Graduate statistics
85%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
95%
In work, study or other activity
80%
Say it fits with future plans
45%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
40%
Artistic, literary and media occupations
30%
Teaching Professionals
10%
Business and public service associate professionals
5%
Information Technology Professionals
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from Birmingham City University graduates who took Popular Music - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£17.3k
First year after graduation
£22.3k
Third year after graduation
£24.7k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Popular Music.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about Birmingham City University on The Student Room.
Chat with Birmingham City University
At Birmingham City University, we make it easy for you succeed. Our focus on practical skills and real-world learning means you'll leave ready to make waves in your chosen career.
University is about more than a degree - it's an experience that shapes your future, unlocks your potential and helps you grow professionally and personally.
Located at the heart of the UK's second city, studying at BCU means you'll be at the centre of it all, experiencing student life to the fullest. Our cutting-edge facilities, vibrant and diverse city-centre location bring our students a wealth of opportunities, industry connections and not to mention, a whole lot of fun.
Birmingham City University open days
Open Days are the perfect way to find out more about university, you’ll be able to attend course talks, meet lecturers, chat to current students, find out about finance and other support services. It also offers a great way to get a feel for campus life and help you see firsthand why Birmingham City University is a great place to study.
Our next open days are taking place on:
• Saturday 4 October
Source: Birmingham City University
