93%
of our students were satisfied with the academic support in the subject area of Music.
National Student Survey 2024
Overview
Explore your own creativity and musical identity with a Popular Music degree at Canterbury Christ Church University. With a BA in Popular Music from CCCU, you’ll develop strong skills in performance, instrumental technique, song writing, and composition, as well as having the opportunity to perform, record, produce, and compose your own music.
You'll benefit from one-to-one tuition and learn more about performing on stage, screen, and in the recording studio. Or, if you're interested in developing your individual voice as a songwriter or music creator, this Popular Music degree will enable you to focus on your talents, as well as prepare you for a career in the creative industries.
What’s more, you’ll learn in our purpose-built creative arts building, Daphne Oram, that houses the latest recording facilities, including professional-grade rehearsal, recording, and performance spaces.
Not only will you gain expertise in your chosen area of popular music, but you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with students from other courses in the School of Creative Arts and Industries, which will introduce you to working with other professions in the field.
You'll also network with other musicians and professionals in the industry, whilst being taught by staff who are passionate about music and who have worked with internationally recognised artists, bands, and clients.
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate.
Entry requirements
112
UCAS Tariff Points
Accepted qualifications
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | BBC |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access | 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits |
| International Baccalaureate | 29 Points |
The grades in this table provide an indication of what is required to study this course. If you have qualifications that are not present in the table or want to tell us more about you specific situation then please contact our friendly Course Enquiry Team.
Don’t meet these entry requirements?
If you do not meet these entry requirements, a foundation year is a great way of beginning your university journey. We recommend you speak to our Course Enquiries team who will advise on a route to study that fits you.
More information
Contact us
Module information
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate. Alongside the modules below you will choose from our new curriculum that will help you achieve student success, engage with contemporary topics and work with industry or the community.
As well as the core modules, you will also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. This will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module and staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular option module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
Each academic year is divided into two semesters, which are separated by a two-week assessment period in January. In each level you will be taking a combination of 30-credit and 15-credit modules. Level 4 will include three five-credit modules.
The teaching on each module will vary but typically includes lectures, practical workshops and seminars. You'll also have regular access to your module tutors and you'll be supported in one-to-one meetings with your personal tutor.
Information about modules and a variety of learning and support materials is available through our virtual learning environment and you'll have access to IT and library facilities throughout the course.
When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you will continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves working on performance, composition or production projects, reading, practicing your instrument and rehearsing and preparing for coursework assignments, workshops or seminars.
Your module tutor will direct you towards specific activities to complete before class.
For the Final Specialist Project in Year 3, you'll undertake independent research, working under the supervision of a member of the course team who you'll meet with regularly.
Your contact hours will depend on the optional modules selected. Typically, a 30 credit module involves 6 contact hours per week, but there are variations in some modules, particularly where a module might be delivered predominantly by individual tutorials or in smaller groups.
Your overall workload typically consists of around 10-12 contact hours per week plus additional hours of independent study, practice and rehearsals for instance.
The teaching team consists of highly qualified academics and practitioners who have a range of expertise and experience.
All staff are practitioners and are active as performers, producers, composers and/or researchers.
This degree will develop your skills in popular music. Taught by tutors with international experience, you'll have opportunities to perform, produce and compose music, for example as a songwriter, or for media and film, and to develop yourself as a performer for stage, screen and studio.James DeanMusic Suite Lead
How you’ll be assessed
You'll be assessed by a range of methods, including practical work (such as performances, recordings, composition work, written work (such as commentaries and essays), and presentations.
Feedback
You will receive feedback on all your assessments and we aim to provide you with your feedback within 15 working days of hand-in.
Your future career
The Popular Music course aims to prepare you as a creative practitioner in performance, production or commercial composition (as a songwriter, or for media, for instance). Music graduates have, for example, gone on to work as performers, producers, DJs, songwriters, web designers, live sound engineers, video games and media composers and freelance instrumental and vocal tutors.
Some graduates have elected to continue their education by progressing on to a Master's and others have decided to train to teach in schools or further education.
Choosing to study music at Canterbury Christ Church University has been a fantastic decision. University has given me the confidence and the platform to perform original music and advance my skills in a professional working environment.OliverGraduate
Related courses
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated. The fees represented here are for study with Canterbury Christ Church University. If you are looking to study at a partner institution, please visit their website for fees information.
Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 our undergraduate home tuition fees are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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Duration:
3 yearsUCAS code:
W340Location(s):
Canterbury