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BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance

Start Date: 7th September 2026

Length 3 years
Study Full-Time
Location Rye Hill Campus

Qualification Gained

BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance (awarded by NCG)

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More about the course

Thinking about studying a music degree? Want to specialise in popular and modern music? This BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance degree will help you develop as a live or studio performer, session musician, composer or songwriter. As a student, you will gain a deep knowledge of music and will cover topics such as Studio Performance and Production, Digital Media and Promotion. You’ll join our vibrant, creative community, where you will have the chance to collaborate with like-minded students to host gigs, develop your own music, produce videos and album artwork.

So whether you want to record the next hit single, write score for film and TV, or work as a pit-band musician, our innovative degree can help you on your way.

Entry requirements

64 UCAS points (from related Music and/or Performance/Production Arts subjects).

Once your application has been reviewed, you will be invited in for a practical audition. (Details will follow through an email from our Admissions Team).

If you are a current Newcastle College students and successfully meet the published Level 3 entry criteria in an appropriate subject, you will be guaranteed a place on this course.

Applicants are normally expected to have achieved grade 4 or higher in GCSE Maths and English or the Level 2 equivalent (i.e.. Functional Skills or Adult Literacy/Numeracy).

At Newcastle College University Centre we welcome applications from students studying new T-Level qualifications.

Further details on our entry requirements can be found here.

What will I learn?

Year One
- Ensemble Skills
- Music, Society, and Culture
- General Musicianship
- Industry Practitioner
- Studio Performance and Production
- Technical Studies
- Collaborative Composition
Year Two
- Advanced Technical Studies
- Artist Study
- Composition Portfolio
- Creative Technology
- Digital Media and Promotion
- Professional Performance
Year Three
- Composing to a Brief
- Major Recital
- Creative Research Project
- Musician Practitioner Profile

How is the course taught?

Practical sessions
Tutorials
Instrumental lessons
Lectures
Group work
Guest lectures
Work experience

How am I assessed?

Demonstration of skills
Application of skills
Project
Creative reports
Research portfolio

Work experience

BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance has been developed to meet demand from industry. You will have access to 10 recording studios and our gig space, The Venue.

You will have the opportunity to perform in a range of local venues such as The Cluny, Cluny 2 and visit Blast Studios for several industry recording sessions.

In previous years, music students have had the chance to hold their own events at World Headquarters, The Cut and Emporium as well as playing festivals such as Radio One’s Big Weekend.

Guest lectures provide masterclasses to students and we have been joined by artists such as SKANTIA, Chris Cue and Andy Lee from Loop Masters, as well as top producer Mark Jenkins from Hot Creations.

Where can I progress?

Once you have successfully completed this course, you will be able to progress onto a Masters in a relevant subject area or move into a career in music production.