Contemporary and Popular Music BA (Hons)

Course Overview - Contemporary and Popular Music BA (Hons)

This degree allows you to study and specialise in contemporary music performance, composition and academic study, ranging from acoustic singer-songwriting through to experimental electronic forms. There are also plenty of opportunities to develop your performance skills, helping you to grow as an accomplished musician. You study a broad range of historical and cultural topics, opening you up to diverse musical experiences, such as hip hop and installation/art music.

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Course Information

Study Mode

Full-time

Duration

3 Years

Start Date

15/09/2025

Campus

Main Site (Newcastle)

Course Address
King's Gate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU

Application Details

Course Code

W301

Institution Code

N21

Points of Entry

Year 1

Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff

Not Accepted

Scottish Higher

A,A,B,B,B

AABBB at Higher Grade including a music-related subject, or BBBBB including Music plus Grade 8 Associated Board (Performance), Rock School or equivalent. Applicants should be practitioners in a type of contemporary or popular music. Scottish qualifications can be taken in more than one sitting.

Access to HE Diploma

D:30,M:15

ABRSM/Trinity Music Theory G5 also required. Applicants should be practitioners in a type of contemporary or popular music.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

32

With Music at Higher Level. Standard Level Music may be considered, but will depend on the combination of subjects being studied. Applicants should be practitioners in a type of contemporary or popular music.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD

In a music-related subject.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H1,H2,H2,H3,H3

H1H2H2H3H3 at Higher Level including Music, or H2H2H2H3H3 including Music plus Grade 8 Associated Board (Performance), Rock School or equivalent. Applicants should be practitioners in a type of contemporary or popular music.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,M2,M2

D3, M2, M2 including Music, Music Technology or another music-related subject, or Rock School or equivalent performance experience. Applicants should be practitioners in a type of contemporary or popular music. If A Level does not include Music or a relevant music-related subject, an offer of D3 M2 M2 plus Grade 8 Associated Board (Performance), Rock School or equivalent performance experience may be considered.

Extended Project

If you offer the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification in a topic relevant to the degree programme, we may take this into account in our consideration of your application.

A level

A,B,B

ABB including Music, Music Technology or another music-related subject, or Rock School or equivalent performance experience. Applicants should be practitioners in a type of contemporary or popular music. Alternatively BBB including Music, Music Technology or another music-related subject, or Rock School or equivalent performance experience plus Grade 8 Associated Board (Performance). Applicants should be practitioners in a type of contemporary or popular music. If A Levels do not include Music or a relevant music-related subject, an offer of ABB plus Grade 8 Associated Board (Performance), Rock School or equivalent performance experience may be considered. Board/Trinity (Performance) may be considered.

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