BA (Hons) Popular Music

at Edinburgh Napier University

This is a full-time course studied over four years. The course is supported by state-of-the-art facilities, with three high-quality recording studios and a fully networked MIDI lab, running Logic, ProTools, Sibelius and a range of other industry-relevant software. We have two Avid Certified Instructors and ProTools experts on the staff. Our well-equipped practice rooms (with 24/7 access), teaching rooms and recital areas ensure that all your needs are met on campus.  

We’re also one of the few music departments in the UK to offer an undergraduate module in Music Therapy.

If you have studied an HND Music, Music Business, Sound Production or equivalent, you may be eligible for direct entry. Note that you can only choose option modules in Years 3 and 4 that relate to, and follow on from, your HND qualification.

Popular modules

Year 1

• Compulsory modules: 
• Performance: Integrated Musicianship 
• Composition: Originating Popular Music 
• Music Technologies: Making Music with Technology 
• Contextual Studies: Sampling Musical Worlds
• Western Art Music 1
• Optional modules:
• Western Art Music 2
• Recording Studio Theory and Practice 1

Year 2

• Compulsory modules: 
• Performance 
• Composition 
• Music Technologies
• Contextual Studies 
• Music Industries
• Optional modules:
• Jazz 1 - America
• Recording Studio Theory and Practice 2

Year 3

• Compulsory modules:
• Music and Praxis
• Contextual Studies: Research in Music
• Contexts of Practical Musicianship: Technique and Applications
• Contexts of Practical Musicianship: Creative Parameters
• Optional modules:
• Contexts of Music Education
• Introduction to Music Therapy
• Lyrics: Narratives and Prosodies
• Music Software Applications
• Music Industries: Entrepreneurship
• Jazz 2 - Europe

Year 4

• Compulsory modules:
• Major Music Project
• Optional modules:
• Contexts of Practical Musicianship: Identity, Persona and Promotion
• Practical Musicianship: Improvisation
• Music Research Project
• Contexts of Music Education: Project
• Contexts of Practical Musicianship: Live Performance
• Music Psychology

Undergraduate and postgraduate taught degrees 

IELTS (Academic)
6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5

TOEFL Internet Based Test
80 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

Pearson’s Test of Academic English
56 overall with a minimum of 51 in each component

Cambridge C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE))
169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each component

Cambridge B2 First (formerly Cambridge English First (FCE))
169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each component

Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English Advanced (CAE))
169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each component

Trinity Integrated Skills Test (ISE)
ISEII, ISEIII, ISEIV with a pass in each component

LanguageCert English language qualification
B2 Communicator Test with overall 39 or above, and 25 or above in all skills

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study. Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by mainland EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2022 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here. For EU students who commenced their studies prior to 1 August 2022 or hold pre or settled status in the UK, fees will remain the same as Scottish Students.
Additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.                    

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2022 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. 

Career opportunities

Recent graduates have been employed in a wide variety of fields of work including:

• Arts Management
• Performance
• Composition
• Songwriter
• Artist Manager
• Producer
• Postgraduate study
• Musicologist
• Music Teacher
• Music Therapist
• Session Musician
• Audio Engineer
• Arts Administrator
• Foley Artist
• A&R Coodinator
• Music Distribution Manager
• Tour Manager
• Plugger