Popular Music - FdA
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
The Popular Music Foundation Degree course provides the training and skills necessary for a wide range of careers within the music industry. You will develop understanding of the commercial music sector, study musical output and techniques, and improve your creativity, professionalism and practical musicianship to a level needed for music industry employment....
- Level Foundation
- Study mode Full Time
- Award FdA
- Start date September 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location South and City College Birmingham
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
The Popular Music Foundation Degree course provides the training and skills necessary for a wide range of careers within the music industry.
You will develop understanding of the commercial music sector, study musical output and techniques, and improve your creativity, professionalism and practical musicianship to a level needed for music industry employment. This Foundation Degree is focused on developing the practical and transferable skills required to make you industry-ready.
What's covered in this course?
Awarded by Birmingham City University, this is a high level course with experienced staff and excellent resources. With 3 recording studios, 7 rehearsal rooms, 2 sequencing suites and a 600-capacity working venue on site, you will enjoy the exciting, creative opportunities and supportive environment.
Your principal study can be in performance, music technology, live sound or composition. Additionally the course takes a holistic approach to musical study, with every student developing a broad range of skillsets required to become a successful music professional. Assessments are varied and innovative, and often modelled on real industry practice.
You will study the theory, wider contexts and contemporary issues surrounding the modern day music industry and there will be regular visits from industry experts and artists. You will also develop the musical and creative skills required by a performer, composer or producer, learn how to work well in teams and demonstrate leadership, organisation and decision-making skills.
This programme will help you to develop a profile suitable for an artist looking for employment within the music industry and reflect on individual progress as an artist, learning how to improve along the way.
The course is extremely beneficial both practically and academically. I’ve had a brilliant time and developed relationships with many great people. I feel ready to enter the working world with a confident knowledge of my skill set.
James Burgess, drummer
Why Choose Us?
- South and City College Birmingham’s advanced facilities put you in a professional working environment from day one.
- The college has Customer Service Excellence status, and is one of only a handful of training providers to achieve the government’s Training Quality Standard in three or more sector areas.
- With a highly supportive and experienced staff team, excellent levels of contact time and quality resources, you will feel valued, encouraged and stimulated to do your best.
- The industry focus of our training prepares you well for a career in music, or for a wealth of graduate opportunities.
Open Day
Join us on campus where you'll be able to explore our facilities and accommodation in person, and chat to staff and students from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire..
Next Open Day: 5 December 2024
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Essential requirements
48 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
Applicants will also need to complete an audition for this course; see audition arrangements below.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: FdA
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 2 years
- £9,250 in 2025/26
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
- Register with UCAS
- Login to UCAS and complete your details
- Select your course and write a personal statement
- Get a reference
- Pay your application fee and submit your application
You will be asked at interview to prepare two pieces for live performance and/or recorded tracks of music technology work.
Course in Depth
Year one
MAST (MIDI, Audio, Studio Techniques) 20 credits
Working Live 20 credits
Understanding Style 20 credits
Show Me The Money 20 credits
Technical Development 20 credits
Creative Portfolio 20 credits
Year two
Production Cycle 20 credits
Personal Development Portfolio 20 credits
Technical Development 2 20 credits
Final Showcase/Product 20 credits
Professional Music Practice 40 credits
Download course specification
Download nowHow you will learn
You will learn through workshops, lectures, recording sessions, seminars and tutorials.
All students receive weekly one-to-one instrumental sessions, delivered by our highly qualified visiting instrumental specialists on vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards.
Much of your work will be geared towards the development of professional products, such as performances, tours, album production or radio shows.
The course will help you to develop your own professional profile and explore your individual artistic identity. You’ll also collaborate with others and explore all aspects of the contemporary music industry.
Employability
Graduates from this degree course benefit from a wide range of career opportunities through professional graduate training programmes, and by demonstrating high-level employability through the academic, creative and transferable skills developed during the course.
In the music industry itself, SCCB graduates have progressed successfully to work with BBC Radio 1/1Xtra, BBC Introducing, Craig David, Sydney Opera House, X-factor, the Royal Variety Performance, Urban Audio, Blitz Games, music management and a range of ongoing corporate and independent music opportunities.
Graduate Opportunities
Graduate opportunities include studio engineer, live sound engineer, stage manager/tour staff, session musician, media music composer, independent freelance musician. Also you can progress to graduate placements/training in education, finance, public services etc. utilising the transferable and creative skills developed on the course.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
Facilities
This course is delivered at South and City College Birmingham's Digbeth Campus. Take a look around some of the facilities by clicking the links below.
Studio
1 of 3 recording studios
The Crossing
A specialist 600-capacity working commercial music venue
Mac Room
1 of 2 Mac programming suites
Rehearsal Room
1 of 6 rehearsal rooms
Find out more about Digbeth Campus
Staff
- Dr Simon Lesley PhD MMus BMus (Hons) FHEA: Graduate of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the University of Birmingham.
- Nils Edstrom BA (Hons) PG Cert Ed: Three-time gold disc winner for million-selling records, producer of 100 professional albums and audio technician for TED and Channel 4.