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Popular Music Production (Joint Honours)

What is Joint Honours?

With joint honours, you can study for an honours degree in two or even three subjects. Find out more about joint honours.

Why choose this course?

  • If you want to work in the commercial music sector of the entertainment industry, as a singer, songwriter, musician or producer for example, this course is ideal for you.
  • You'll have the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge in music production and recording.
  • You'll study in our fantastic £21million Markeaton Street site. Take the video tour.
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Fact file

UCAS code: Y002

Start date: September

Course length: full time: three years, part time: up to six years.

Campus: Markeaton Street site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

About this course

Through our Joint Honours Scheme you can combine two or three subjects to tailor your degree to your interests, areas of skill and career aspirations.

Popular Music Production is part of the Electronics and Sound subject group, so you'll be studying with other students who are also interested in electronics, media technologies, and popular music. And our staff are actively involved in applied research in these areas.

The facilities at our Markeaton Street site includes specialist labs, recording studios, music production labs, sound and lighting facilities, and a surround-sound research studio. And you'll be using our high spec computing resources too.

What can I combine this programme with?

What you will cover

You'll study a total of 120 credits per year. This will be made up of single or double modules.

Stage one

You'll study these modules:

  • Performance Studies
  • Music and Creative Technologies (PDP) 
  • Musicianship Skills  

And you can choose to study this module:

  • Digital Audio Workstations

Stage two

You'll study these modules:

  • Music and Technology in Popular Culture
  • Music Business and Management (PDP)
  • Ensemble Workshop   
  • Video/Audio Production

And you can choose to take this module:

  • Studio Techniques

Stage three

  • Creative Studies in Popular Music (Double module)
  • Research Project
  • Entertainment Industry: Professional Practice
  • Live Performance                        

And you can choose to take this module:

  • Recording Project

Entry requirements

Entry in January 2013

Our entry requirements are usually 220-300 UCAS points from A levels or equivalent qualifications, such as a BTEC National Diploma, Scottish Highers etc. If you've completed an Access/Foundation course, we also accept these qualifications.

You must have performed expertise in Music, normally at grade 6 or above, including Music Theory at grade 5 or above and be able to read music notation.

Entry in September 2013

Our entry requirements are usually 220-300 UCAS points, of which at least 200-240 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 60 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

Fees and finance

Fees for 2013/14

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

Full time:

  • If you combine this subject with a classroom based subject it will cost £7,700 per year.
  • If you combine this subject with another resource intensive subject or a specialist subject it will cost £8,250 per year.

We'll be announcing our part time and international fees for 2013/14 later in the year.

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

Careers and employability

When you graduate you'll be well prepared to work as a performer or producer in the industry. And you'll have the ability and confidence to deal with professional bodies, such as the Performing Rights Society (PRS), British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, British Phonographic Industry (BPI), and the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS).

You could go on to work as a music producer, musician or performer, recording engineer, or music teacher if you
do a PGCE after your degree. Or you could choose to work in areas such as sound design or sound for games. You could go on to work as a music producer, musician or performer, recording engineer or music teacher, if you do a PGCE after your degree. Or you could choose to work in areas such as sound design or sound for games.

Where will I study?

Markeaton Street site, Derby Campus

Contact details

General enquiries about admissions and applications, UK and overseas

T: +44 (0)1332 591167
F: +44 (0)1332 597724
E: askadmissions@derby.ac.uk

Course enquiries

John Crossley 01332 593216