22Jun
Undergraduate This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.
Goldsmiths, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Open days
Course summary
This ground-breaking degree embraces popular music in its many forms from the mainstream to the underground and puts exploration and experimentation in creative practice at the heart of the degree.
- Collaboration with Matthew Herbert's Accidental Records has enabled us to create NX Records, an independent record label based at Goldsmiths, giving us the potential to promote Goldsmiths students' work on an international stage.
- 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.
- 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 also 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.
- The Goldsmiths Music department has 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.
- Beyond music, 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. Graduates from this programme include Rosie Lowe, Another Sky, La Lief (Oram Award winner, 2018), James Blake, Katy B, and Ross from Friends, among others.
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 and Practice Performance and Practice Artistic Practices Critical Approaches to Contemporary Music Popular Music: History and Contexts Year 2 (credit level 5) In your second year, you'll study one or two of the following modules: Performance: New Contexts Songwriting With your remaining credits, you can then choose optional modules (4 or 6 depending on your choices) from the following list: Sounding the 19th Century Aesthetics, Meaning and Culture Music and Identity Electroacoustic Composition Making Experimental Sound Techniques in Jazz and Popular Music Arranging and Composing for the Jazz Ensemble Contemporary Jazz Performance the UK Scene Popular Music Production Media Composition Music/Modernities Soviet Music and Politics Music Practice and the Black Atlantic: Britain’s Celebrity Culture Music in Film What is Jazz? Sound as Art Musics of East Asia: Politics, Industry, Creativity Music of Africa and Asia Pitching Creative Businesses: Models, Markets and Meaning Goldsmiths’ Social Change Module The Goldsmiths Elective Year 3 (credit level 6) In your final year, you'll choose one or two of the following compulsory modules: Creative Performance Composition portfolio Research Project You'll then select from modules from the below list with your remaining credits: Contemporary Jazz Performance the UK Scene Acoustic Ecology and Field Recording Performing South-East Asian Music Improvisation Creative Orchestration and Arrangement Introduction to Audiovisual Composition Music/Modernities Soviet Music and Politics Music Practice and the Black Atlantic: Britain’s Celebrity Culture Music and Screen Media Advanced Popular Music Studies Fringe and Underground Musics 15 credits Music in Educational, Community and Therapeutic Contexts Music Workshop Skills Music Teaching Skills DIY Practice and Alternative Sites for Music Live Electronics Work placement You as Your Future: Developing Creative Careers Psychological Approaches to Music A maximum of 30 credits can be in Related Study (modules offered by other departments). Related Study modules will be published each academic year. Individual vocal and instrumental tuition 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. First-year BMus Popular Music students are currently entitled to 12 hours of one-to-one tuition per year. Tuition is available to BMus Popular Music students taking performance options in years two and three. The Popular Music programme currently includes up to 12 hours of one-to-one tuition in both years, with regular workshops and masterclasses. If you do not opt for performance modules you are not automatically entitled to individual lessons, but we can help make private arrangements with our visiting staff, at preferential rates. 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
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
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
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits
Scottish Higher - BBBBC
Scottish Advanced Higher - BBC
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 33 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2
T Level - M
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 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
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | With a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 |
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
No fee information has been provided for this course
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/
Provider information
Goldsmiths, University of London
New Cross
Lewisham
SE14 6NW