Course summary
OVERVIEW The BA (Hons) Commercial Music will assist you in developing the critical skills to secure a role in the ever-evolving commercial music industries. Whether you’re interested in music promotion, songwriting, teaching, tour management, research, sound engineering or instrumental performance, you’ll be able to customise the programme to suit your career aspirations. There are three strands of study: Songwriting & Performance The songwriting and performance strand is for students who have an interest in developing a career within the creative sectors of the music industries: not just songwriters, musicians and singers, but also community music practitioners in fields including but not limited to: music education, music therapy, and community arts, culture and heritage and theatre. Technology The technology strand is for students with an interest in the intersections of music, audio and performance. Working in our state-of-the-art studios, students will have the opportunity to develop expertise in the recording of live and studio performances, production, editing, post-production and mastering and the creation and production of music and audio for media. Opportunities for employment may include working for broadcast services, live events and sound companies, recording studios, media outlets and corporate events companies. Music Business & Creative Industries The business and industries strand is for students who seek to understand the music industries as part of the wider creative and cultural industries. Examining both the theories and practices underpinning the music and creative industries, students will have hands-on opportunities to be involved in real-world music enterprises. To date, students have participated in a series of music industry events, staged within the university environment as well as in the UK, Europe and North America. Employment opportunities include promotion and management companies, digital music firms, media outlets, artist management, as well as various entrepreneurial activities. The course has been developed in collaboration with music industry professionals, and focuses on contemporary issues in commercial music and the opportunities new media has opened up. PRACTICAL FOCUS Reinforcing the practical nature of the couse, lecturers are practising music industry professionals and guest speakers have included Shirley Manson and Ricky Ross. In addition, there are a number of different work-based learning opportunities for Commercial Music students. For example, you will have the opportunity to study and work abroad via work-related learning module, which allows a select group of students to work and study at our partner institution, the Harris Institute in Toronto, Canada. In addition, students enrolled in the work-based learning module also have the opportunity for work experience more locally and across the UK. In years past, students have worked for prominent companies including: DF Concerts, Soma Records, EmuBands, and the SSE Hydro. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION BA Commercial Music has Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES) accreditation. JAMES is a recognised PSRB (Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body) for undergraduate higher education courses reference. The courses is also identified as an Avid Authorised Training Partner and this provides assurance that you can get quality of training on Avid products and solutions as part of the course. CAREER PROSPECTS Jobs Graduates work as record company personnel, teachers, promoters, music marketing and PR specialists, tour managers, sound engineers, music lecturers, producers and performing and recording artists. Further Study Some graduates choose further study, leading to an MA, MSc, PhD or the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) teaching qualification - note additional requirements regarding English and Mathematics qualifications will apply for PGDE study.
Modules
Year 1 introduces you to the theory and practice of music performance, production, business and cultural theory. Your studies offer you the opportunity to broaden your scope and investigate theatres of music you may not previously have considered. In Year 2, you will focus on your chosen specialism of performance, production, business or theory while developing your understanding of media theory and intellectual property. In Year 3, you will deepen your engagement with your specialist area of study, completing a major self-directed project. You may also undertake work-related learning within the industry which is an ideal entry point for future employment. In your final year of study, you will undertake a major research dissertation and undertake a music project where you release a piece of music on a variety of platforms.
Assessment method
This course offers inspirational and transformative learning within a flexible and personalised curriculum. This is based on a model of research and experiential learning, with a mix of practical, project-based work and critical analysis of contemporary popular music culture and the global music industries.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The Joint Audio Media Education Services
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
25Jan
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:
- W340
- Institution code:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Ayr Campus
- Campus code:
- A
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
International applicants
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 102 points
A level - BCC
Scottish Higher - BBBC
Scottish Advanced Higher - CCC
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
T Level - M
Entry to Year 1 with SWAP (BBB) Access in Humanities.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 96 points
A level - CCC
Scottish Higher - BBB
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2
Additional entry requirements
Interview
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
DUO LINGO In addition ot the above English Language tests, for 2022-23 entry, the University has approved the use of the online Duolingo English test as evidence of English language ability. UWS will accept an overall score between 90-115 with no component score below 90. For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.
UWS's English language requirements
https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| EU | £14500* | Year 1 |
| International | £14500* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Additional fee information
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS:
Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS:
Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS:
These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details).
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory.
Check the course entry on our website for more more information.
Sponsorship information
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
Provider information
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BE