Popular Music Performance BA (Hons)
University of ChesterCreative Campus, Kingsway, Chester
Course overview
Join us for an Applicant Day to meet current students, learn more about the University and get a taste of student life so you can decide if Chester is right for you. Develop your talent as a musician and performer through the practical and theoretical study of popular music. Be prepared to study and perform everything from Billy Eilish to Metallica, Stevie Wonder to the Spice Girls, and everything in between.
Alongside your musical performance skills, you will have the opportunity to develop further essential aspects of being a musician such as songwriting and arranging, recording techniques, and live music mixing – all of which are essential for working in the current music industry.
Key highlights
- Practical and theoretical study of popular music performance
- Perform repertoire from Billie Eilish to Metallica and Stevie Wonder
- Develop songwriting and arranging skills alongside performance
- Learn recording techniques and live music mixing
- Builds skills essential for working in the current music industry
Entry requirements
- UCAS tariff points: 104 — Home Students International Students 104 UCAS Points UCAS Tariff 104 points GCE A Level Typical offer - BCC BTEC BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM International Baccalaureate 28 points Irish / Scottish Highers Irish Highers - H…
- A-level: BCC — Home Students International Students 104 UCAS Points UCAS Tariff 104 points GCE A Level Typical offer - BCC BTEC BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM International Baccalaureate 28 points Irish / Scottish Highers Irish Highers - H3 H…
- BTEC: DMM — BTEC Extended Diploma
- International Baccalaureate: 28 — …104 points GCE A Level Typical offer - BCC BTEC BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM International Baccalaureate 28 points Irish / Scottish Highers Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H4 H4 Scottish Highers - BBBB Access requirements Access to…
- Scottish Highers: BBBB — Access requirements
- Access to HE Diploma — to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above
- T-level: Pass — …Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above T Level Pass (C or above on the core) OCR Cambridge Technicals OCR Extended Diploma: DMM Extra Information Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level…
- Additional condition: audition — Applicants will be required to attend an audition.
Careers this course leads to
- Session musician
- Performing musician
- Songwriter
- Music arranger
- Live sound engineer
- Recording engineer
Cost of study
UK/Home: £9,790 per year for a full-time course (2026/27) — More on UK fees | International: £14,950 per year for a full-time course* (2026/27) — More on International fees
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Chester, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
Ready to start?
Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to a September 2026 place.