Course summary
Follow in the tradition of some of the UK’s greatest musicians and start your creative music career at an art school. We nurture students to develop their own voice and practice and then connect them to the ever expanding opportunities in the world. Popular Music at HCA is a one-year top-up degree course designed for performers, songwriters and producers who wish to graduate with all the creative skills, knowledge and experience needed to have a successful career in the music industry. From mainstream to underground, this degree embraces music in its many forms – from rock, pop, folk, urban, jazz and to the experimental. Study on an industry-focused program in an inspiring art school environment. This dynamic, innovative, industry-facing course is designed for students whose ambition is to work in the music industry. The course will prepare you to be a versatile, resilient portfolio musician with a host of transferable skills. You will learn through being involved in stimulating live briefs relevant to current 21st century music industry practices. With an emphasis on the production of original work, you will learn how to collaborate with your fellow students in performance, songwriting and production, whilst acquiring a detailed knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the contemporary music business. Our recording studio runs the latest Apple Mac Pro and Logic Pro Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). All machines feature Logic Pro as well as a multitude of software necessary for a career in the creative music technologies, while our team of technical demonstrators will assist you in the production of professional quality music and sound, web design, video editing and with a range of software for use with digital and printed media. What we provide
- You will be taught by a strong team of industry focused lecturers combined with regular masterclasses from professionals that are designed to educate, stimulate, and motivate.
- Access to rehearsal rooms, acoustically designed and fully equipped. Whether it be high-end digital or retro analogue, you will be able to produce and create a diverse range of professional sound recordings.
- Develop an expertise in a business relevant to your musical interest and discover opportunities for industry based internships and graduate placements.
- Small class sizes provide highly personalised levels of supervision and support. This will enable you to develop your own specialist practice you need for working within this dynamic sector.
- Opportunities to collaborate with other creatives in a dynamic arts school environment.
- Successful completion of a UK based level 5 qualification such as a Foundation Degree (FdA) or HND in a related subject (evidence of prior learning will need to be provided).
- Portfolio submission or audition (as applicable) and successful interview.
- Unfortunately, we are currently unable to offer this course to international applicants (including EU/EEA).
Modules
YEAR One/Level 6: Specialist Practice (40), Practice in Context (20), In The City (20), Professional Portfolio (40).
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W342
- Institution code:
- H18
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
We are unable to offer this course to international applicants (including EU/EEA).
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - Not accepted
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted
Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted
Scottish Higher - Not accepted
Successful completion of a Foundation degree (FdA) or HND in a related subject. Applicants whose first language is not English – proof of an overall IELTS score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all sections (reading, writing, listening & speaking).
Additional entry requirements
Audition
Interview
Portfolio
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £9000 | Whole course |
| England | £9000 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £9000 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £9000 | Whole course |
| Wales | £9000 | Whole course |
| Channel Islands | £9000 | Whole course |
Additional fee information
In addition to the degree fees, the nature of creative arts practice means you will need to allow for some additional costs, such as for materials you choose to use in the production of work and activities, and for trips to external events and exhibitions.
The courses at HCA have been designed to minimise the impact of additional costs; all course leaders have an annual budget and some trips and materials will be fully funded by the college or heavily subsidised. However, typically, a student will choose to spend an additional £400 in their final year, depending on scale of work and materials chosen or other related costs. Students spend different amounts depending on the areas in which they specialise and individual choices.
We appreciate that not all students will be able to invest the same money in their work, and staff assessing it will not judge work by the cost of materials or other resources. The college shop includes many specialist materials at good value prices and digital equipment can be borrowed from the media stores at no cost to students.
All students at HCA are offered an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for use outside of college hours. In the 2022-23 academic year this cost was £16.24 per month. Please note Adobe Creative Cloud is provided free to use for any student working within the college.
Students on all courses will also have the chance to take part in optional trips that require payments towards their costs. Again, non-attendance will not incur assessment penalties, though trips are designed to help students develop their practice. There is an optional annual cross-course residential trip abroad. In the 2023-24 academic year, the trip was a four-day visit to Paris at a cost to students of £425. This fee included a shared dorm room and all travel costs from Hereford to Paris including Eurostar tickets.
Support Available From Hereford College of Arts
**Progression Bursary**
A progression bursary of £250 (£125 per year for part-time students) is available to students from our progression partner colleges* who have successfully completed their Level 5 or equivalent course within the last 2 academic years and progress on to a top-up degree programme at Hereford College of Arts.
*Partner colleges include Bath College, Dudley College, NPTC Group, NWRC Derry & Evesham College (Warwickshire College Group).
Provider information
Hereford College of Arts
Folly Lane
Hereford
HR1 1LT