BMus Popular Music Performance
About this course
BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance, a music degree centred on modern and popular music. Students specialise in vocals, keyboard, guitar, bass, drums or songwriting. Teaching includes individual tuition, band workshops and sessions with industry professionals, supported by purpose-built facilities like an SSL recording studio and live ensemble spaces. Optional placement year available.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points from any combination of A Levels/T Level/Extended Diploma/Foundation Diploma. The expected subjects will depend on the course you are applying for. All applicants must have GCSE English Language or Literature at Grade 4/Grade C or above, or English Functional Skills Level 2 at Pass. Also required: a level of performing ability equivalent to ABRSM/Rockschool/Trinity Grade 8, and music theory understanding to Grade 5 level. Performing ability and theoretical understanding will be assessed through a practical performance. Audition guidance: The audition process will assess your abilities in popular music performance. Please record and upload your audition video to YouTube, Vimeo, or Weibo. Performance requirements: Perform two contrasting pieces that demonstrate the range of your performance skills and a brief spoken commentary of one of your pieces that offers your thoughts about the distinctiveness or effectiveness of the piece. You may choose to perform cover songs, reinterpretations of covers, or original compositions. We are particularly looking for performances that highlight your individual artistic style and creative interpretation. Please state or caption each performance piece so that we can easily identify them....
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What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 65%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 63%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 50%
- Learning resources: 78%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 100%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 30%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 5%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 5%
- Customer service occupations: 5%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 440 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 16%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 47%
- East Midlands: 6%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 12%
- South East: 3%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BMus Popular Music Performance at Leeds Arts University earn?
The median salary is £19,500 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £29,500. The £25,000 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BMus Popular Music Performance at Leeds Arts University do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BMus Popular Music Performance at Leeds Arts University?
65% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BMus Popular Music Performance at Leeds Arts University?
The average entrant had 116 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BMus Popular Music Performance at Leeds Arts University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.