Course name
University name or location
Topic or category
Find a course
Search, shortlist and compare thousands of courses to find that perfect one.
Where to study
See what makes a university special and discover where you belong.
Find a university
Search by name or city.
Get Advice
Get tips, tricks and wise words from students and experts at each stage.
Browse advice
A-level choices
Accounting personal statement examples
Law degree
Revision help
Oxbridge applications
Ucas application
Student life
Student finance
Browse all advice
Popular right now
A-level results day 2026: what to expect
Btec results day 2026: what to expect
Clearing and results day 2025: prepare your back-up plan
Clearing 2025: four things you might not know about Clearing and results day
Finding accommodation after getting a university place in Clearing 2025
A guide to Ucas Clearing 2025: how to find your university place
Clearing 2025: how to call universities
What happens if you miss the grades for your university offer?
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Popular Music (top-up)
University of Northampton
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Popular Music (top-up) course at University of Northampton.
We're still busy gathering entry requirements for Popular Music (top-up) at University of Northampton. Look out for more info soon.
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 |
| Channel Islands | £9,535 per year |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: W342
Here's what University of Northampton says about its Popular Music (top-up) course.
Our Popular Music top-up BA allows you to choose your own focus within popular music. Blend a mix of practical music-making, with more traditional academic studies, or learn something new.
Choose to produce your own EP, perform at gigs, analyse and critically reflect on your own practice, record other artists, write a dissertation, compose/produce music for media, understand music philosophy, and delve into music education.
With strong ties to both the local music scene and industry, as well as nationally, we offer you the chance to network with industry insiders and develop your own network of fledgling professionals.
Top up degree for holders of HND, Foundation Degree or DipHE.
By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:
• Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one-to-one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.
• Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study, you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.
• You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.
Source: University of Northampton
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Department
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
Location
Waterside Campus | Northampton
Duration
1 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Popular music
Start date
21 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
The modules you will study
STAGE 3: • Professional Project 40 (Designated) • Popular Music Dissertation (Designated) • Pop and the State (Designated) • The Philosophy of Music (Designated) • Music and Sound Design for Media (Designated) • Performance 3 (Designated) • Music Education (Designated) • Advanced Recording and Production: Client Demos (Part 1) (Designated) • Advanced Recording and Production: Final Product (Part 2) (Designated)
Module information is quoted for 25/26 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly. 26/27 entry modules will be released in June 2026.
University of Northampton reviews
Showing 57 reviews
Foundation year student
The university campus is giant but not intimidating. It had great building structures and looks pristine. The support from the different areas are also fantastic.
1 year ago
3rd year student
Two stars: Could be better
2 years ago
3rd year student
Two stars: Could be better
2 years ago
3rd year student
Four stars: Great
2 years ago
3rd year student
Moulton college is no support University of Northampton slightly struggled
2 years ago
3rd year student
Four stars: Great
2 years ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores
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 University of Northampton students who took the Popular Music (top-up) course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
92%
high
Teaching on my course
92%
high
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
88%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
100%
high
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
94%
high
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
88%
med
Learning opportunities
89%
med
Learning opportunities
89%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
94%
high
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
81%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
88%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
94%
high
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
88%
high
Assessment and feedback
94%
high
Assessment and feedback
94%
high
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
100%
high
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
100%
high
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
81%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
100%
high
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
88%
high
Academic support
94%
med
Academic support
94%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
93%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
94%
med
Organisation and management
81%
med
Organisation and management
81%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
88%
high
How well organised is your course?
75%
med
Learning resources
77%
low
Learning resources
77%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
62%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
86%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
88%
med
Student voice
77%
med
Student voice
77%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
75%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
75%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
81%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
83%
high
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
93%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
79%
med
Student information
See who's studying at University of Northampton. These students are taking Popular Music (top-up) or another course from the same subject area.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
Facts and figures about University of Northampton graduates who took Popular Music (top-up) - or another course in the same subject area.
Graduate statistics
55%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
95%
In work, study or other activity
40%
Say it fits with future plans
35%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
20%
Artistic, literary and media occupations
15%
Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
10%
Business and public service associate professionals
10%
Teaching Professionals
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of Northampton graduates who took Popular Music (top-up) - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£15.7k
First year after graduation
£20k
Third year after graduation
£25.2k
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 (top-up).
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 University of Northampton on The Student Room.
University of Northampton open days
Are you thinking of applying to this university?
Before you do, it's a good idea to go to an open day. You can have a good look around campus, getting a better idea of what it's like to study there. You'll meet current students and staff and get the chance to ask them questions.
Universities will list upcoming open days on their websites. Most will also have virtual open days; these are a great alternative if you really can't get there in person. For tips on preparing for open days, check the advice section here on The Uni Guide.
