Music: Popular Music and Recording

University of Salford

United Kingdom, Salford

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Home/United Kingdom/Salford /University of Salford/Music: Popular Music and Recording

University of Salford

United Kingdom , Salford

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

Course ID J931

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 18,120 / years

Next Intake September-2026

Music: Popular Music and Recording

About

Introduction

In a nutshell

Serious about a career in the music industry? Ready to join a course that’s produced Mercury Prize nominees, award winning entrepreneurs, and professional film and television composers? If so, our popular music degree is the right choice for you.

When you join this course, you’ll embark upon your personal journey towards professional musicianship, developing your performance, composition and recording skills while deepening your knowledge of how the industry works. You’ll receive musical tuition in the instrument of your choice, get to grips with the essentials of studio recording, and expand your experience of performing in both solo and ensemble settings. You will also take part in masterclasses led by established professionals, providing you with invaluable insight into what it’s like to work in the music industry.

As an undergraduate music student studying at Salford, you’ll have access to a vibrant local music scene with links to local venues and musical institutions. We’ll be providing you with the chance to regularly contribute to concerts and gigs, as well as to engage with like-minded creative artists.

Our popular music recording degree is well known for producing a number of successful recording artists such as members of the British art rock band Everything Everything (Mercury Prize nominees 2018); recording artist and award-winning entrepreneur Caroline Redman Lusher (Founder and Creator of Rock Choir); film and television music composer Louis Dodd (Love and Hate Crime, EMMY nominated Strike Back: Retribution, Amazing Hotels and BAFTA winning Long Lost Family), and songwriter/producer Rick Boardman (member of indie dance band Delphic and co-writer of hit singles including ‘Back to You’ performed by Louis Tomlinson and Bebe Rexha; ‘Real Love’ Clean Bandit/Jess Glynne and ‘Love On Me’ Galantis).

Want to find out more about studying our popular music degree? You can sign up to an Open Day or attend a campus tour. You can also follow our Music at Salford Instagram account #MusicatSalford

In addition to the traditional three year degree route, you have the option of pursuing additional training and academic tuition by undertaking our four-year foundation option.

You will:

Be taught by practising music professionals on a course with a reputation for producing successful graduates
Fully explore your creative ideas and passions through specialist portfolio work
Work on projects in our industry-standard music recording studios

Placement

options available

International

students accepted

This is for you if...

You want to develop your performance, technical, and composition skills

You want to learn new industry-standard recording and editing skills

You want to be part of a vibrant music community and take advantage of the Salford and Manchester music scenes

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Requirements

What you need to know

APPLICANT PROFILE

To gain a place on this course, youâll have to submit a personal statement and meet our entry requirements when you apply.

Within your personal statement (up to 4,000 characters), weâll want to understand:

what motivates you and what current experiences do you have in music?
have you had active involvement in music recording and what did you do?
what musicians and organisations inspire you?
why do you want to work in the music sector?
and why the University of Salford and this Music: Popular Music and Recording degree is the right choice for your future goals.

Once we have received your application, you will be invited to an interview and audition on campus.

Although this is not a compulsory requirement, ideally you should be of grade 6 / 7 ABRSM standard with solid theoretical knowledge. Composition and arranging portfolios can be used in support of your application if you are looking to pursue study beyond performance.

Once youâve made your application to study with us, weâll contact you and let you know the next steps.

Standard entry requirements

GCSE

English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent) is required. Maths at grade C/level 4 or above is preferred but not essential.

You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.

UCAS tariff points

104-120 points.

If applying to start from September 2024, you will need 120 points.

A level

104-120 points. Applications can be considered without a Music A level, but you must be able to demonstrate significant practical experience.

If applying to start from September 2024, you will need 120 points.

T level

Merit

BTEC National Diploma

DMM to include music

Scottish Highers

104-120 points including Music.

If applying to start from September 2024, you will need 120 points.

Irish Leaving Certificate

104-120 points including Music.

If applying to start from September 2024, you will need 120 points.

International Baccalaureate

31 points, to include 5 (Higher Level) in Music

European Baccalaureate

Pass in Diploma of at least 60% including Music

Access to HE

Pass level 3 QAA approved Access Diploma. To include Music.

International students

We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.

If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5.

We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course. Or if you have finished high school in your country but donât have the qualifications to gain entry to this course, you can take our International Foundation Year as a pathway to this degree

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

Career

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

EMPLOYMENT

Completing a popular music and recording degree will open many doors for a career in the music industry, with many of our graduates establishing successful careers in roles as diverse as recording artists, TV composers, studio producers, live sound engineers and freelance music producers.

This degree also will provide you with experiences of live events; you’ll also be in a great position to work as an event organiser or promoter. Many of our graduates have also developed successful careers in music education as teachers, lecturers, senior administrators and educational advisors.

FURTHER STUDY

Graduates showing strong academic and research skills can pursue a further postgraduate path through postgraduate programmes on a full-time or part-time basis subject to a satisfactory proposal.

A taste of what you could become

A recording artist

A composer

A producer

A promoter

A session musician

And more...

Career Links

Industry collaboration is at the heart of your learning at Salford. Thanks to a longstanding partnership with Soundsnap, you will have free access to sound effects resources during your studies.

Our music university courses have direct links with professional institutions such as:

‘Sounds from the Other City’ festival

Low Four (lowfour.tv)

The Greater Manchester Music Hub Ensembles (Brass, Big Band and Wind Band)

80 HERTZ Studios

BBC Philharmonic

National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain

We have good working relationships with many live music venues in the local area including Band on the Wall.