Looking to start a career as a performer, songwriter or session musician? The Resonance BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance programme combines practical and vocational learning with an in-depth study of the music industry.
Our Popular Music Performance programme teaches students a range of skills balanced with academic, research and critical-thinking proficiencies that are relevant to many different careers.
The course features extensive study of the music industries including copyright, contract law and career pathways. Students will also develop transferable skills in research, IT, presentation, teamwork, creative thinking, communication skills and project management (see the Resonance Professional Certificate).
Beyond timetabled seminars and workshops, students will be encouraged to engage with the Black Country music scene. By promoting and performing your own shows, you will have the opportunity to cultivate your talents and expand your understanding of the real-world entertainment industry.
Optional projects and modules in years 2 and 3 will help inform future career options and ensure that technical and musical skills are underpinned by a solid understanding of the wider music industry.
This course will involve practical projects designed in partnership with industry
The course will be delivered through a combination of interactive lectures, seminars, masterclasses, tutorials, workshops and guest presentations.
Assessment methods include practical assessments, essays, individual reports, final portfolio, individual and group presentations, and final performance.
| Individual Performance 1 | Core | This module forms the core of your practice as a musician and performer. It contains your weekly instrumental/vocal lesson with a specialist tutor, a weekly lecture on developing yourself as an artist, and structured practice time to hone your skills. |
| Live Performance 1 | Core | Where Individual Performance 1 focuses on your personal practice, this module concentrates on performing with others. You will take part in regular workshops with set repertoire, and work in a band towards an assessed gig. |
| Creative Music Industries | Core | Key aspects of creativity, from songwriting and promotion, through to audiences and consumption are discussed and explained to enable you to understand the demands of the music industries. |
| Recital and Instrumental Skills 1 | Core | Alongside Individual Performance 1 this module forms the core of your practice as a musician and performer. It contains your weekly instrumental/vocal lesson with a specialist tutor, a weekly lecture on developing yourself as an artist, and structured practice time to hone your skills. |
| Theory and Listening Skill | Core | This module will help you develop the language to communicate musical ideas. In addition to traditional notation you will learn how to describe and analyse songs and musical productions. All content will be focused on popular music; everything you learn may be applicable at some point in your future musical career. |
| Studio Performance 1 | Core | This module examines how studio work differs from live performance, and how to gain confidence and skills as a creative performer in the studio environment. |
| Individual Performance 2 |
Core | This module forms the core of your practice as a musician and performer. It contains your weekly instrumental/vocal lesson with a specialist tutor, a weekly lecture on developing yourself as an artist, and structured practice time to hone your skills. |
| Live Performance 2 | Core | Where Individual Performance 2 focuses on your personal practice, this module concentrates on performing with others. You will take part in regular workshops with set repertoire, and work in a band towards an assessed gig. |
| Music Portfolio Careers | Core | Full time employment opportunities in the music industries are limited, but there is a wealth of options for you to develop an exciting and varied freelance career. This module provides you with opportunities to research these options, develop existing skills and learn new skills in order to begin your personal portfolio career. Expect to begin creating your networks and to start working in the music industries before you finish your studies at Resonance. |
| Recital and Instrumental Skills 2 | Core | Alongside Individual Performance 2 this module forms the core of your practice as a musician and performer. It contains your weekly instrumental/vocal lesson with a specialist tutor, a weekly lecture on developing yourself as an artist, and structured practice time to hone your skills. |
| Studio Performance 2 | Core | This module examines how studio work differs from live performance, and how to gain confidence and skills as a creative performer in the studio environment. This module builds directly upon the skills developed in Studio Performance 1. |
| Introduction to Experimental Music Performance | Option | You will explore the creative dynamics of existing sound performances and recordings. You will investigate alternative approaches to music making by exploring experimental techniques that draw from creative music practices. |
| Songwriting Techniques | Option | This module will help you develop and enhance your skills in songwriting and will allow you to develop your musical identities through a wide range of songwriting tasks. |
| Individual Performance 3 | Core | This module forms the core of your practice as a musician and performer. It contains your weekly instrumental/vocal lesson with a specialist tutor, a weekly lecture on developing yourself as an artist, and structured practice time to hone your skills. |
| Advanced Music Performance | Core | This module brings builds on all the skills and learning developed in the Live Performance and Studio Performance modules at Levels 4 and 5. Advanced styles of critique, enquiry and analysis are introduced, and the meaning of ‘advanced performance’ is further unpicked. |
| Entrepreneurship and Artist Development | Core | As you prepare for life beyond University, it is essential that you continue the alignment of your practical music skills and artistic identity with potential portfolio careers. In order to promote yourself and develop income streams you will need to be fully prepared for high-pressure interviews and auditions. In addition, you will need a professional quality show-reel in order to market yourself. Building on skills developed at Levels 4 and 5 you’ll be encouraged to take your expertise to the next level. |
| Major Project | Core | The ability to produce a significant project underpinned by deep and meaningful research, presented using the correct academic protocols will provide you with essential graduate skills that you will need for future. This project should be interesting, exciting and insightful, and will help you to shape the next stage of your professional or academic life. |
| Songwriting Portfolio | Option | The ability to write (or co-write) your own material in order to fully realise your artistic voice is paramount. Many of today’s major artists, along with a new wave of young skilled songwriters, are providing material across different genres for both emerging artists in addition to more established solo artists and bands. |
| Experimental Music Performance | Option | You will explore the creative dynamics of existing sound performances and recordings. You will investigate alternative approaches to music making by exploring experimental techniques that draw from creative music practices. |
Applications to Resonance are via UCAS, to apply for the Popular Music Performance BMus (Hons) course, simply click APPLY NOW.
This will take you to the Popular Music Performance course page on the UCAS website, where you can complete your application.
Click here for instructions on how to add Popular Music Performance as a UCAS choice.
Ideally, your application should reach UCAS by the 26 January. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. Applications can still be made after the June deadline through the UCAS Clearing system.
If you have any problems, please contact admissions@resonance-edu.org.
If you would like to apply for more than one Resonance course, please add each one as an option on your UCAS application.
The Foundation Year and degree courses provided by Resonance are validated by Solent University which is registered with the Office for Students (OfS).
Fees for the 2025/26 academic year are £9,250 for all UK and Channel Islands students. Additional fees may apply to non-compulsory excursions, tours and extra-curricular activities. Students will be notified of these extra fees in advance.
Resonance offers bursaries and scholarships to assist with the cost of tuition or accommodation, subject to a letter of application. Each bursary or scholarship will be considered by the Board of Trustees.
Additional costs will apply to Quals Plus courses and will vary according to the assessment process.
Other costs – such as accommodation, books, stationery, instruments, accessories, computers, optional summer school, personal expenses, food, and entertainment – are not included.
Costs also apply to the graduation ceremony, i.e. hiring an academic gown (currently £45) and photography (starting at £15). Full details will be provided at the beginning of the third year of full-time study.
Undergraduate students wishing to study at Resonance are officially registered as Solent University students and are entitled to apply to Student Finance England for support.
Full-time students can apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans. For further details on how to apply, please visit:
This course will involve practical projects designed in partnership with
