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Popular Music at Goldsmiths, University of London - UCAS

Course options

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Why study BMus Popular Music at Goldsmiths

  • This ground-breaking degree embraces popular music in its many forms, and centres on exploration and experimentation in creative practice.
  • This programme will allow you to acquire and develop a variety of skills, both individually and collaboratively, including musicianship and ensemble playing, songwriting, production and recording (at Goldsmiths Music Studios), composition and making music for film, and alternative sites for music.
  • We have strong links with the music industry, employing professional musicians, producers, and artists as lecturers.
  • We also present frequent, high-profile speakers from the music industry at our talks and events. Recently, these have included Dave Okumu, Nigel Godrich, Darkstar, Mica Levi, Matana Roberts, and Arts Council Music Relationship Managers.
  • You’ll be very well set-up for the world of work. Employers look for initiative-driven graduates who think critically about their actions, work well with others and adapt quickly and creatively to new ideas. These ideas are written into the DNA of the degree, which will help you develop these skills.
  • Through a collaboration with Matthew Herbert's Accidental Records we have created NX Records, an independent record label based at Goldsmiths, giving us the potential to promote our students' work on an international stage.
  • You'll be within easy reach of South East London's many venues, as well as those across the capital, which provide a connection to music, art, dance, and theatre with an international focus, but also to local promoters, labels and the London-based music industry.
  • You'll have the opportunity to perform at student-run showcases, in department ensembles, and at PureGold, our annual music festival that celebrates music created and performed at Goldsmiths.
  • Our location in London means that we are able to attract visiting instrumental and vocal teachers of the highest quality, with many of our staff also teaching at the major music conservatoires. We provide a generous allocation of tuition time. Our performance modules are supplemented with ensemble classes and workshops/masterclasses given by top professional musicians.
Please note the BMus Popular Music only accepts applications for first year entry and does not accept applications for deferred entry.

Modules

Year 1 (credit level 4) In your first year you study a range of areas including creative and practical music studies, textual and contextual analysis of popular music, and an introduction to music technology. All modules are compulsory at this level as we feel it is essential that all our students develop the necessary key skills and knowledge base before further specialisation. The modules are: Songform Popular Music Performance Artistic Practices Contemporary Music Industries Popular Music Cultures Year 2 (credit level 5) In your second year, you'll study the following compulsory modules: Performance: New Contexts Songwriting You'll then choose 2 optional modules (30 credits) from the following list: Ensemble Performance Studio and Production Skills Pitching Creative Businesses The Goldsmiths Elective The Goldsmiths Project You'll also choose a further 2 modules (60 credits) from the following list: Creative Jazz Studies Music and the Moving Image Global Musics Sonic Art: Contexts and Practices Year 3 (credit level 6) In your final year, you will complete the following compulsory module: Music: Major Project You'll then choose 1 or 2 optional modules from the following list: Creative Performance Work Placement You as Your Future: Developing Creative Careers Psychological Approaches to Music You'll then choose a further 2 options from the following list: Audiovisual Composition and its Contexts Sculpting Electronic Sound Capturing Music and Practice Music Education, Outreach and Inclusion Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Assessment method

You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, group work, solo recitals, improvisation and group performances.


How to apply

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

You should be able to demonstrate skills and experience in both practical musicianship and music creation. Although we consider each application on its individual merits, we favour students who demonstrate clear experience of and/or commitment to music-making. Music A-level (general, theoretical, music technology, popular music), BTEC ND in Popular Music, Music or Performing Arts is preferable, but not essential.

Additional entry requirements

Interview

Selected candidates will be invited for an interview day. This allows us to meet potential students and find out more about their interests and abilities. If you're invited for an interview, you will participate in a short workshop and be asked to present examples of your creative work (live and recorded). If you are unable to attend an applicant day we may invite you to submit a portfolio of work. This is usually followed by an interview via Skype.

Portfolio


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6With a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
81%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
95%
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

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

To find out more about fees and funding, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office https://www.gold.ac.uk/ug/fees-funding/
Popular Music at Goldsmiths, University of London - UCAS