BA (Hons) Popular Music Production (Top-up) (Full Time)

This course is perfect for those of you who wish to pursue a career in the music production industry. You will explore popular music, developing your experience of music production technology and honing your production skills by combining studio-based recording with academic study.

To complement your work investigating the wider music industry, you will receive advanced technological instruction in our industry standard digital and analogue multi-track recording facilities and audio production suites. Alongside studio recording and production, you have the opportunity togain experience in live music production, studying the professional structures and working practices of the live music industry sector. You will also have an opportunity to create soundtracks for ‘Solent Productions’, the University's own in-house TV production facility.
Music production work will be complemented by academic research skills and critical tools developed through exploration of music-making practices.

You will be assessed in practical ‘real world’ situations whenever possible, gain experience of completing ‘live’ projects set by industry professionals, and will undertake projects in the wider music production industry.

Our annual Music Industries Conference features workshops from some of the biggest names in the music industry, and you will benefit from the expertise of our high profile visiting fellows, such as producer Trevor Horn (CBE), Colin Lester, CEO of Universal Music Group, Carl Palmer of ELP, and Feargal Sharkey, UK Music.

Industrial focus

Many of our tutors have high profiles in the contemporary music industry and are published authors in their specialist field. Their professional experience, combined with the course's work based learning focus, will ensure that you graduate with the academic expertise and essential practical experience maximising your opportunity to work in a variety of professions in the music and media industries.

Course content

Four core units and one option:

• Working In The Music Industry
• Advanced Studio Production
• Researching Music Making
• Major Project (Creative) OR Major Project (Research Report).

Options:

• Music and Audio Post Production
• Advanced Live Music Production
• Experimental Music Production
• Songwriting
• Music Radio Documentary.

Why choose Solent?

Network with like minded students on the Popular Music Programme, take advantage of Solent’s impressive facilities and learn from experienced performers and academic practitioners. Utilise opportunities to increase your employability by taking part in a range of music projects both in and outside university.

• Investment of more than £1 million over the past three years in studio facilities.
• Grammy award winner, music producer Trevor Horn and award winning composer Simon May are among our visiting professors.
• An extensive programme of visiting lectures from music industry professionals.
• An Avid Pro Tools Learning Partner.

Assessment

Coursework only, including methods such as tests, group and individual presentations, essays, reports, and portfolio and design work.

Projects/work experience

You will complete ‘live’ projects set by music industry professionals.

Key career skills

IT, presentation, communication, teamwork.

Industry quote

Trevor Horn, award-winning record producer

“I think the studios are brilliant. When I started out there was no technology like this and I think if you are a young person coming here to study, it must be wonderful.”