Commercial Music
Award
BA (Hons)
Duration & study mode
4 years full-time
School
Business & Creative Industries
Location
Ayr
Additional information
Ucas code
W340
Course starting dates
-
Ayr: September
Last updated: 17/02/2021
Overview
The BA (Hons) Commercial Music programme 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.
Developed in collaboration with music industry professionals, this programme focuses on contemporary issues in commercial music and the opportunities new media has opened up.
Professional Approval and Accreditation
BA Commercial Music is part of the UWS Creative Skillset Media Academy, is an Avid Authorised Training Partner and has JAMES accreditation.
Entry Requirements
What qualifications do you need?
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience.
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
Additional Information
All applicants will be expected to submit a strong personal statement and reference. Applicants may be invited for interview.
Year 1
- SQA Highers: BBBC (102 UCAS Tariff points), plus English and Maths at SQA National 5 (Grade C, or above), SQA Intermediate 2 (Grade C, or above), SQA Standard Grade (Credit)
- GCE A-Levels: CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points), plus GCSEs English Language and Maths (Grade C, or above)
- Irish Leaving Certificate: H3 H3 H3 H4, plus English and Maths at least at OL
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 24 points (3 at HL) including SL English and Maths
- Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP): Access to Humanities (BBB) including SQA Higher English or its NQ equivalent (eg. Comms 4 & Literature 1)
Year 2
- Scottish Advanced Highers: BBC (136 UCAS Tariff points) including English
- A levels: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points) including English
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 28 points
- SQA HNC /BTEC Level 4 HNC: Music or Music Performance or Music Technology or Music Production or Music Business or Sound Production
Year 3
- SQA HND / BTEC Level 5 HND: Music or Performance or Music Technology or Music Business
English Language Requirements
English language requirements for most courses
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.
General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- overall score 6.0
- no sub-test less than 5.5
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
- CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
- CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests
- PTE Pearson Academic English: An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5). An overall score 61 with no element below 51 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0)
IELTS Score Exceptions (Research degrees, Nursing & Midwifery degrees with NMC registration, Certificate of Higher Education, etc.)
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 6.5
- no sub-test less than 6.0
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, applicants are required to have an IELTS or Occupational English Test (OET)*.
For such courses, the IELTS score is as follows:
- overall score of 7.0
- score of at least 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and no less than 6.5 in writing
* Note that the Occupational English Test (OET) will now be accepted in addition to IELTS as proof of a Nurse's English Language Competence (Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2019).
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 5.0
- no sub-test less than 4.5
TOEFL IBT
TOEFL IBT*: 78; no sub-test less than:
- Reading: 17;
- Listening: 17;
- Speaking: 17;
- Writing: 17
* Please note that TOEFL is still acceptable for admission to this programme for both home/EU and international students.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use TOEFL to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level courses. We therefore still accept TOEFL tests taken in the last two years for admission to this programme.
West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE)
West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE) including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard*
- C6 or above in English
*UWS will accept a WAEC scratchcard confirming that an applicant has achieved C6 or above as evidence of meeting English language requirement from Nigeria if the student graduated within the last 5 years. After 5 years applicants would be required to provide the WAEC Certificate.
Pre-sessional courses
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
- 10 week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
- 5 week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
- English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with score of 4.0 in all elements (10 month course), or 4.5 with no score below 4.0 (7 month course).
Course details
The degree is aimed at performers, songwriters, producers, teachers and DJs, and those seeking employment in record companies or to stage live events. You will work with UWS staff and visiting lecturers, who are themselves practising music industry professionals, and you'll make key contacts across the music industry.
Whether you are interested in a career in music promotion, tour management, music education, sound engineering, music research, production or performance, this degree will prepare you for success in the fast-changing modern music business.
Year 1
Introduction to the theory and practice of music performance, production, business and cultural theory. First year offers you the opportunity to broaden your scope and investigate theatres of music you may not previously have considered.
Year 2
Focus on your chosen specialism of performance, production, business or theory while developing your understanding of media theory and intellectual property. Second year allows you to experience several key sectors of the professional music industries.
Year 3
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.
Year 4 (Honours)
Complete a major research dissertation and undertake a music project where you release a piece of music on a variety of platforms. Entrepreneurship skills will assist you in seeking employment.
Learn a Language (optional)
This course also gives you the option of taking a language module, which can count towards your degree. These modules cover multiple languages and range from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level. The cost of your language module is included in the tuition fees. Find out more
Teaching & Assessment
BA (Hons) Commercial Music is designed for student success by promoting creativity, autonomy and employability both in terms of module content and course structure. We offer 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.
Course Structure
Find out more about the structure, learning outcomes, compulsory and optional modules in this 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 teaching qualification. Appropriate post-graduate programmes (teaching / music / research) are available in Scotland and elsewhere. Programme staff can advise you further on completion of your undergraduate qualification.
Undergraduate Tuition Fees
2021/22 Undergraduate Tuition Fees - Full-time
Scottish
£1,820 Cost of study per year (paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS)
Rest of UK (English, Northern Irish, Welsh)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
Republic of Ireland
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
International (including EU)
£13,225 Cost per year of study
Additional Costs & Sources of Funding
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 like study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms.
Fortunately, there is a great deal of financial support available to help students meet the cost of their study. This ranges from:
- statutory government loans to pay for tuition fees
- scholarships for Scottish, EU and International (non-EU) students
- bursaries to help towards living expenses
The sections below provide details of additional costs that your course may involve along with any financial support that may be available.
You can also find additional information in our Undergraduate Money, Fees & Funding section.
Additional Costs - Updated October 2020
tudents on certain degrees will incur some additional costs not covered by their tuition fees. These could be for things like specialist equipment, study materials and textbooks, work placements, graduation, membership of relevant organisations or costs related to carrying out fieldwork.
For students on course with an element of fieldwork, there may also be extra costs for travel and accommodation.
Note: The library will hold some copies of the textbooks but not enough for every student. Students can purchase second hand copies when possible or use older versions if advised by the module cordinator. Students can also sell their copies after the course. This helps manage the cost.
Year 3
Miscellaneous (Optonal)
Membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme is optional and dependent upon your module choice (required for WOrk-related Learning modules) and career ambitions. The PVG is managed and delivered by Disclosure Scotland and it helps ensure people whose behaviour makes them unsuitable to work with children and protected adults cannot do 'regulated work' with these vulnerable groups. The current cost to become a member of the scheme is £59.
Year 4
Graduation fees (Mandatory)
These fees are set annually by the University and are subject to review. For session 19/20 these were set at £10 Registration Fee.
Tuition Fees* & Living Cost Support
Tuition Fees & Additional Costs
Tuition fees are calculated based on where you are from and what you are studying. Some courses also involve additional costs, such as mandatory field trips, equipment or studying abroad.
Find out how much it will cost you to study at UWS as an undergraduate student.
Funding for Scottish Students
Scottish students studying at undergraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.
Funding for English, Welsh & Northern Irish Students
English, Welsh and Northern Irish students studying at undergraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.
Funding for EU Students
EU students studying at undergraduate level of UWS may be eligible for SAAS funding, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.
Funding for International Students
There are several scholarship and incentive schemes available to international students studying at undergraduate level at UWS, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.
Other Financial Support
Discretionary & Childcare Funds
UWS administer a range of discretionary and childcare funds. These are designed to support students who are experiencing financial difficulty or struggling to meet the costs of childcare.
Benefits & Tax Credits
Becoming a student can have an impact on your entitlement to certain benefits. It may mean you are no longer eligible to claim a benefit you have been receiving, or your new income from student funding may affect the amount you are able to receive.
Additional Financial Support
If there isn’t a statutory source of funding for you or your course, or you are in need of additional financial support, you may wish to consider more alternative sources of funding such as trust funds and scholarships.
Money & Debt Advice
Choosing to become a student can have a big impact on your budget and you may need to reassess your spending to account for a reduced income. We’ve put together some guidance to help you manage your money and make the right financial choices for you and your family.
How to apply
Full-time (domestic & EU/EEA)
All UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2021/22 entry is 29 January 2021, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2021, 18:00 (UK time). Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
Full-time (non-EU/non-EEA), Part-time & Online (all students), Erasmus & International Exchange
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Get in touch
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
- ask@uws.ac.uk
- 0800 027 1000 (UK)
- +44 (0) 141 849 4101 (out-with UK)
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