Popular Music Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

BA (Hons) Popular Music at Middlesex University helps you develop your unique artistic voice through performance, song writing and music production. You’ll build your musicianship and creative confidence through hands-on practice, collaboration and industry-focused projects, while exploring how the contemporary music industry works. With opportunities to develop professional experience, industry insight and a portfolio of original work, you’ll graduate ready to pursue your own creative direction across performance, song writing, production and the wider music industry.

Why study BA Popular Music at Middlesex?

You’ll develop the creative, technical and professional skills needed to perform, write, record and produce original music. The course is designed for musicians and aspiring music professionals who want to develop their artistic identity while gaining the practical experience and industry knowledge to build a sustainable career.

Our practical approach gives you opportunities to perform, write, record and produce original music using industry-standard studios, equipment and production techniques. You’ll work on individual and collaborative projects, developing your musicianship, creative confidence and professional practice.

You’ll explore the contemporary music industry, from live performance and streaming to music for film, animation and games, while considering emerging technologies such as AI. You’ll also develop your understanding of music business, copyright, royalties, contracts, funding and music entrepreneurship.

What will you learn?

You’ll develop the musical, creative, technical and professional skills needed to build a career in the contemporary music industry. Through performance, songwriting, production, collaboration and independent creative practice, you’ll develop your artistic identity while gaining the knowledge and experience to navigate the professional music sector.

You will learn how to:

• Develop your performance, songwriting, composition and musicianship skills while building your own artistic identity\
• Record, produce and present original music using industry-standard studios, equipment and production techniques\
• Explore the contemporary music industry, including live performance, recording, streaming and music for film, animation and games\
• Collaborate with musicians, artists and other creative practitioners on interdisciplinary projects reflecting professional practice\
• Develop your understanding of music business, copyright, royalties, contracts, funding and entrepreneurship\
• Explore emerging technologies and trends, including the impact of AI on the music industry and future careers\
• Apply your skills through an independent major project and final-year placement, developing professional experience and a portfolio of work

By the end of the course, you’ll have developed a distinctive artistic identity, professional portfolio and practical experience across performance, songwriting and production. You’ll be equipped to shape your own career, whether working as a performer, songwriter, producer or music professional, or developing a portfolio career across the wider creative industries.