BA Commercial Music
University of the West of Scotland
About this course
BA (Hons) Commercial Music is a music degree centred on contemporary issues in commercial music and the opportunities new media has opened up. The programme is organised around music industries studies, songwriting and performance, sound production, and music and cultural research. Based on the Ayr campus, the course holds professional accreditation from JAMES and the Scottish Music Industry Association.
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
Please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page for information on our different entry requirements, including country-specific details for EU and non-EU qualifications. All applicants will be expected to submit a strong personal statement and reference. Applicants will be required to interview. | Year 1 -- Scottish Highers: Standard Entry Requirements: BBBC (102 UCAS Tariff points) including English; Minimum Entry Requirements: BCC (63 UCAS Tariff points) including English; Alternative Minimum Entry Requirements: BC (42 UCAS Tariff points) including English at B, PLUS successful completion of one of the following: UWS Foundation Academy Foundation Apprenticeship UWS Next Steps to University module Top-Up LEAPS; A levels: BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points) including English; T Level: Full T Level with Grade P (A* - C); Irish Leaving Certificate: H2H3H3H3 (102 UCAS Tariff points) including English; International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 24 points, including English at Higher Level; Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP): Access to Humanities (BBB) with Higher English/Comm4 Literature 1 or equivalent; BTEC Extended Diploma: MMM including English in relevant discipline | Year 2 -- SQA Advanced Highers: CCC (120 UCAS Tariff points) plus SQA Higher English; A-Levels: BBB (120 UCAS Tariff points) including English at C or above; T Level: Full T Level with Grade M in relevant subject (120 Tariff points); International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 28 points including English at Higher Level; BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM in relevant subject including English; HNC: Music; Music Performance; Music Technology; Music Production; Music Business; Sound Production | Year 3 -- HND: Music; Performance; Music Technology; Music Business
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What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 70 students who started
- Continued on course: 68%
- Gained a higher qualification: 7%
- Left higher education: 24%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Working and studying: 10%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 25%
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Customer service occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 140 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- London: 1%
- Scotland: 96%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 85 students who started
- A levels: 59%
- A degree: 7%
- Other HE qualification: 34%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Services (JAMES) on behalf of Audio Technology, Music, Recording, Music Production, Games, Media and Audio Post Production Industries.
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Commercial Music at University of the West of Scotland earn?
The median salary is £24,500 after 15 months, £18,500 after 3 years, £23,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £17,000 and £28,500. The £23,000 median after five years is £1,500 less than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BA Commercial Music at University of the West of Scotland do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Commercial Music at University of the West of Scotland?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Commercial Music at University of the West of Scotland?
The typical offer is BCC at A level, or 24 points in the IB. The average entrant had 160 UCAS points.
Is BA Commercial Music at University of the West of Scotland accredited?
Yes. Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Services (JAMES) on behalf of Audio Technology, Music, Recording, Music Production, Games, Media and Audio Post Production Industries.
How many students continue on BA Commercial Music at University of the West of Scotland?
68% of students continued into their second year, and 24% left higher education.