Commercial Music BA Hons | University of Chester

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Course Summary

Develop your talent as a music producer and performer through the practical and theoretical study of commercial music. On this very practically based degree, alongside performing you will have the opportunity to develop extremely useful skills such as recording techniques, studio mixing, live sound engineering, songwriting and arranging – all essential for working in the music industry. Our course provides a unique opportunity for you to excel in performance and production while developing a critical mind and becoming an intelligent, multi-skilled, employable musician.

You will be working in our fantastic, professionally equipped recording and rehearsal studios, and will have access to a wide range of musical equipment to enable you to practise, study and perfect your skills. You will have access to many software packages which can be use in the studio or in our dedicated Apple Mac suites.

Additional enhancements to the course include links with live music venues, musicians and professionals within the region, as well as events such as Creative Futures, where students gain invaluable insights into the industry from industry professionals, musicians and academics through the delivery of performances, masterclasses and workshops.

A group of music students performing on stage.

Music at the University of Chester

What You'll Study

In Year 1 (Level 4), you gain a foundation in the subject at undergraduate level study, focusing on fundamentals of performance, recording, computer music creation, popular music studies, music harmony, live PA systems for performance, and other key areas of study. You will use our industry-standard studio facilities, including the full-specification version of Audient’s flagship ASP-8024 Heritage Edition mixing desk, which includes the DLC section for direct Digital Audio Workstation control. There are lots of opportunities to perform at local live music venues from very early on in the course, as well as opportunities to use our excellently equipped dedicated live performance and rehearsal spaces on campus, which are open late into the evenings and weekends.

Modules

This module provides you with the necessary foundations for studying music. Key areas include popular music studies essentials, music harmony and composition basics, live sound set up, digital audio workstation fundamentals, essential performance skills (for students on the Popular Music Performance and Commercial Music pathways), recording techniques (for students on the Commercial Music and Music Production pathways) and music production. Study of these areas will prepare you for more advanced learning in these areas at Level 5.

You will have an opportunity to apply some of the skills developed in Music Undergraduate Fundamentals to a live performance and / or recording and production context. For example, if you are on the Popular Music Performance pathway you may perform in a choir, and if you are on the Music Production pathway, you may record and mix the choir performance. Students on the Commercial Music pathway may either perform or record and mix. This all may be in a studio context, and/or in a larger room with the recording being undertaken on portable studio equipment.

You now have the opportunity to pick an optional module to learn a new language or build on your existing language skills as part of your degree. You can choose:

Subsidiary Language for Beginners (choice of German, Italian or Spanish)
French: Intermediate Language Development
Spanish: Intermediate Language Development
Chinese: Intermediate Language Development
German: Communication in Practice
French: Communication in Practice
Spanish: Communication in Practice

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Year 2 (Level 5) builds on the foundation of production and performance and broadens the learning to include additional areas of study, including songwriting and composition and the music industry. You will also have access to some of the world’s most highly regarded microphones, such as (amongst many others) the Neumann U47 FET, the Neumann U87 and the Coles 4038, and have opportunities to show off your performance skills in local, live city-centre music venues. You will have the opportunity to undertake a substantial practical, public-facing professional project for a substantial proportion of the year.

Modules

Developing from the introduction of music fundamentals, this module introduces students to a further range of important areas that are central to the music industry. These include compositional techniques associated with a variety of music styles and genres, aspects of the music industry, and remixing and/or live performance techniques. Amongst other things, you will learn about important considerations for working in the music industry, such as staying within the law, making money from music, the relationship between music and artificial intelligence and using harmony and melody to create innovative yet commercially relevant music compositions. This module provides specialist skills that enable students to progress onto 'Songwriting and Composition Portfolio' at Level 6.

TBC

This is an experiential learning opportunity that incorporates, 20 teaching contact hours/lectures to prepare for the150 contract hours where L5 students can use all their skills learned to date on an actual real-world (external business) client driven project, working in teams and produce an artefact.

Students are also expected to undertake around 30 hours of self study.

This module not only gives them enhanced skills but the opportunity to work for a real client thus giving them a valuable CV and LInkedIn entry as work experience that can contribute to their employability portfolio.

Students will collaborate in teams and produce full client documentation alongside a reflection of their expereince and this all give some much needed contemplation of their skills to date and how to use them.

This module provides a structured, university-level work placement for 4, 5 or 7 weeks as one continuous block / period with a placement provider (i.e. industry apprioprate sector). It is designed to enhance your professional skills in a real-world job setting.

The placement can either be organised by you or with support from university staff.

All work placements within this module must be university-level; this means:

Undertaking high-skilled work commensurate with level 5 study (e.g. report writing, attending meetings, delivering presentations, producing spreadsheets, writing content on webpages, social media, marketing services/products etc)
Physically placed (albeit part of it can be hybrid) within an employer setting in one continuous block / period for 4, 5 or 7 weeks for a minimum of 140-147 hours over the course of the entire work placement

Where applicable, your existing part-time employer can be approached/used as the placement provider, if the high-skilled work.

criterion above is fulfilled for the full duration of the placement.
All quality assurances/agreements provided by the University are adhered to, by you and the employer.

The work placement context may not necessarily, reflect your degree discipline per se, but rather, it will give you an enriched experience to enhance your professional skills in a real-world job setting.

The Level 5, 40-credit modules require a basic foundation of knowledge of your chosen language e.g. GCSE or equivalent, a Level 4 module in the same language or equivalent previous learning. This module includes an optional placement abroad, such as an intensive course at a partner university. You can choose:

Advanced Language Development and Global Sustainability (choice of German, French or Spanish)
Upper Intermediate Language Development and Global Employability (choice of Chinese, French or Spanish)
Post Beginner Language Development and Global Cultures (choice of German, Italian or Spanish)

The module provides students with an opportunity to undertake a 140-hour work placement*. This placement is complemented by a number of school-delivered sessions designed to develop their employability, professional practice, and students' understanding of their career options. Students learn to reflect on the nature of creativity within their studies, and gain awareness of how this is valued and relevant in modern workplaces.

*in some cases, evidence of considerable relevant graduate-level work experience may be accepted as an alternative to completion of the stipulated placement.

This module will provide you with the practical and theoretical underpinning of professional practice in your specific subject, enabling you to identify and develop key employability attributes and skills in preparation for your future career.

You will spend several weeks working collaboratively with other students across the School for the Creative Industries on one major project or several smaller projects in a professional ‘simulated real world’ working environment. Projects will be contemporary, topical, externally focussed and often involve partnership with outside agencies. The module will provide you with opportunities for immersive learning and the chance to apply your knowledge in real-world contexts.

Year 3 (Level 6) is focused on the mastery of your specialism, critical thinking and working in collaboration. This year is orientated around undertaking your very best work and there is lots of freedom and flexibility regarding the work you undertake to allow you to really focus on the areas you want to develop professionally. The focus at this level is your own artistry and career focus.

Modules

This module creates the opportunity for you to consider the nature of the performed musical event and associated professional practices. You will develop skills to analyse the evolution of the performance event, the development of a musician’s performance persona and the impact of video technology in the field. You will also reflect on your existing skillset and hone your professional competencies and skills in readiness for careers in the creative industries. You will consider how best to promote yourself, through the development of an employability portfolio most appropriate to their career trajectory, which may include, developing websites; content and profile creation for the use of social media, and writing and developing curriculum vitae and cover letters.

This module aims to introduce you to practical aspects of industry standard session work, focussing on the skills needed to become a working musician or engineer, either in recording or live context, typically via a simulated real session environment.

In this module you be guided in your development of a professional regime of practice on your instrument or voice through a series of masterclasses. You will focus on the development of an advanced performative and professional self-awareness culminating in a professionally aware performance.

This module focuses on the creation and production of music and sound effects in the context of moving visuals. You will learn content such as theories relating to the functions of sound and music, semiotics, and practices of sound design such as sound effects recording, granular synthesis and the creation of dynamic audio. This module will enable you to draw on these theories and practical skills in order to create music and sound effects for moving images such as video games and short-form animation.

This module aims to introduce you to practical aspects of industry standard session work, focussing on the skills needed to become a working musician in a live context, typically via a simulated real session environment.

This module gives you the opportunity to identify and independently pursue a suitable research area and integrate this within your own portfolio of work. You will apply appropriate methods and theories within your own writing style to undertake a substantial body of musical composition within your own area of specific interest.

This self-directed module allows students to initiate and develop their own major project ideas appropriate to their discipline of study. Students at this point in their studies are often very focussed on their ultimate work aspirations, and this module helps them to gain 'graduate trajectory' to enable them to better move into their chosen profession as seamlessly as possible when they have finished their studies.

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, you will typically study 40 credits comprising one overarching module which may cover a variety of topics. You can expect to take part in lectures, workshops, studio sessions, other practical sessions and peer-led seminars.

You should expect to spend approximately 30-34 hours per week on independent study, which might include tutorial time with staff, studio practice time, instrumental practice, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment.

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics and practitioners in the subject. This is likely to be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.

There will be a broad range of assessment methods so that you are exposed to the different types of task you might encounter in the workplace. These are likely to include practical performances, portfolios of music production and creation work and presentations, amongst other methods of assessment. We continuously review the assessment methods used to ensure they adequately prepare you for graduate level employment.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Ali Reece x Joe Jennings Get Over It

This is a student single package release from our music programmes, available now on all platforms including several remixes by our students. The project was very successful, achieved a range of radio exposure, including playlisting, and was accompanied by a full national club promotion using a leading club promotions company in early 2022, which resulted in the package reaching No.7 on the Music Week Commercial Pop Club Chart, one of the UK's leading club charts.

Creative Campus, Kingsway Tours

Study at our Creative Campus, Kingsway, home to some outstanding art, design and performance-based courses for the University’s School for the Creative Industries. Scroll through our 360 tours to explore our state-of-the-art facilities.

Entry Requirements

104UCAS Points

UCAS	104 UCAS points
GCE A Level	104 UCAS points from GCE A Levels or equivalent. Typical offer - CCC/BCC
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
T Level	Pass (C or above on the core)
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers - H3, H3, H3, H4, H4 Scottish Highers - BBBB
International Baccalaureate	28 points
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Merit
OCR	OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DMM
Extra Information / General Entry Requirements	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. We accept the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma. Applicants will be required to attend an audition. ABRSM Grade 8 or equivalent on your instrument (or voice), and the ability to read music, would be preferred. Do not let this put you off applying; reading music is not essential and if you don't have grade 8 we will probably still offer you an audition. Candidates who do not meet the minimum entry requirements, or who have non-standard qualifications and relevant music experience, are encouraged to apply and will be considered if they can demonstrate appropriate ability through their audition.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Study the final year of an undergraduate degree

If you have successfully completed a Level 5 qualification, e.g. a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation Degree in a relevant subject, then we may be able to consider you for the final year (Level 6) of one of our degrees. Topping up your HND or Foundation Degree will typically take one further year of study and will lead to a full BA (Honours) degree.

To apply for the final year of a degree on a full-time basis you will need to submit an application through UCAS.

For international applicants, please refer to the entry requirements listed on the "Your Country/Region" pages. To be considered for advanced entry into relevant degree programmes, you must have completed a qualification equivalent to a Level 5 or Level 6 in the UK, in a related subject area

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials.

Students often elect to purchase a laptop, where students choose to do so, the cost it likely to be around £800-£1000.

Additional costs are likely to be small and infrequent, but there may occasionally be optional trips and small specialist equipment such as headphones may need to be purchased.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

Who You'll Learn From

Jim Mason

Senior Lecturer

Dr Ruth Dockwray

Associate Professor

Ben Broughton

Head of Division

Your Future Career

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Commercial Music BA (Hons)

Course Summary

Music at the University of Chester

What You'll Study

Modules

Modules

Modules

How You'll Learn

Ali Reece x Joe Jennings Get Over It

Creative Campus, Kingsway Tours

Fashion Design Industrial Workshop

TV Studio

Music Performance Studio

Music Recording Studio Control Room

Photo Studio

Music Rehearsal Studio

Music Production Suite

Animation Suite

Photography Darkroom

Workshop

Studio

Outdoor Ampitheatre

Common Room

Entry Requirements

Study the final year of an undergraduate degree

Fees and Funding