BA (Hons) Music (Production with Popular)

Applications are open for 2024.


Note: This course is found under the Undergraduate option when making a UCAS application NOT the Conservatoires option.

Apply now

Study BA (Hons) Music (Production with Popular) at Leeds Conservatoire

Gain the skills and experience to become a sophisticated music producer, with the freedom to express yourself musically in any genre. You will learn through hands-on studio and Mac Lab sessions with expert producers and software specialists in order to prepare you for a successful career in music production.

In the Production with Popular program, your Specialist Study would be in Production and your Specialist Group Study (e.g. ensemble/band sessions) would be in Popular.

 

  • Starts:
  • Duration: 3 Years
  • UCAS Course Code(s): 5W2D (with Popular)
  • UCAS Institution Code: L30
  • Apply Via: UCAS Undergraduate Application (note: this course cannot be found under the 'Conservatoire' application option)
  • Study Mode: Full time
  • Validated By: University of Hull

Course Overview

World-class facilities

You’ll have access to thirteen on-campus recording and mixing studios and six Apple Mac Labs, equipped with over 100 high-specification iMacs, as well as numerous composition, rehearsal and performance spaces. All of these facilities are open until late during term-time, giving you a dedicated, flexible environment in which to develop your recording and producing skills, as well as becoming well-versed in Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton, Max/MSP and other software.

Industry links

Each year, a number of industry professionals deliver masterclasses to our students. Recent sessions have been given by Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer Mandy Parnell (Björk, Brian Eno, The XX) and producers Jagz Kooner (Primal Scream, Manic Street Preachers, Kasabian) and Will Hicks (Ed Sheeran, Lily Allen, David Guetta). We also have annual visits from labels and management, which provide our students with the opportunity to respond to real-life publishers’ briefs and audition their material in front of industry contacts – which has resulted in some of our students getting published!

Pioneering approach

Our pioneering Augmented Reality app is the first ever to be used on a Production course. The app allows you to use a smartphone or tablet to access an interactive tutorial on our Audient sound mixing desks, giving you access to support and guidance outside of teaching sessions.

Live music scene

Leeds has an incredible live music scene, and our students are performing in it every day of the week, from support gigs at the legendary Brudenell Social Club and Belgrave Music Hall, to open mic nights at Oporto, Nation of Shopkeepers and a multitude of other venues. Our regular Friday night showcase, Crosswire, presents some of our best pop and production artists, and our students and alumni have taken the stage at major festivals, including Live at Leeds, Leeds Festival, Tramlines and SXSW.

Career destinations

Graduates from Music Production degrees at Leeds Conservatoire have gone on to a wide variety of careers including Recording Artists, Sound Designers, Broadcasters, Producers, and Film Composers. Find out more in our Alumni section.

“I was chosen to perform at the Gala Concert in my first and second year and I’ve performed at Crosswire. I also played at Sound City in Liverpool through the conservatoire’s touring scheme. I never expected to play a festival during my time at Leeds Conservatoire, so that was a great experience.”
– Santino Browne, Production with Pop graduate

What You Will Study (See Modules and Specifications)

The BA (Hons) Music (Production with Popular) modules focus on developing you as a professional musician and producer through small group work and creative projects. The professional studies strand will develop your core business skills, and other optional modules will introduce additional cross-genre capabilities. See our module specifications page for detailed module specification documents.

Each year of the course is structured into three distinct strands:

  • Specialist Study – Small group tuition in analogue and digital recording and production techniques
  • Contextual Studies – Develop your composition, arranging, musicology and aural skills
  • Professional Studies – Develop your skills for working in the creative industries

With a Combined Honours programme Production with Popular, your Specialist Study (e.g. small group recording/production tuition) would be in Production and your Specialist Group Study (e.g. ensemble/band sessions) would be in Popular.

Some examples* of Contextual Studies and Professional Studies modules:

  • Working in the Creative Industries
  • Self-Promotion and Music Marketing
  • Music for the Moving Image
  • Performance with Electronics
  • Concerts and Touring
  • Structure & Functions of the Film Music Industry
  • Software Environments - Performance and Sound Creation
  • Business Start-Up
  • Music Journalism
  • Songwriting
  • Working with Music in the Community

*The above examples are chosen to represent a selection of the kind of mandatory and elective module options offered, so you can tailor your degree to your area of interest. See the full list of modules currently available for this course, including mandatory and optional modules, plus detailed module specification documents.

Module specifications are for applicants choosing to start their course in the 2021/22 academic year. In compliance with University of Hull regulations, the conservatoire retains the right to make minor amendments and improvements to course, programme and module content year on year. This may result in minor changes to these specifications by September 2022.

Optional Extra-Curricular Instrument/Vocal/Composition Tuition

If you are at Grade 6 standard or higher in an instrument or voice, you can also choose to have additional 1:1 tuition in this area outside of your standard timetabled teaching.

This is not part of your course, but there are a limited number of Instrumental, Vocal & Composition Bursaries available, or tuition can be arranged at additional cost.

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

BA (Hons) - 3 Years

96 UCAS tariff points from level 3 studies or equivalent, which normally include A Level Music or a BTEC Extended Diploma in a Music-related subject.

A minimum of three GCSEs including English Language at Grade C / Grade 4 or above or equivalent international qualification, eg IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component).

Performance and Musical Theory Standard

Read our full entry requirements to see more  detail on musical performance and theory standards.

How to Apply

Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)

Read our step-by-step application guide

Portfolio

Applicants will need to submit a portfolio of work. 

Exact requirements vary depending on which programme you are applying for.

Read more detailed portfolio information.

Fees & Funding
International Applicants

If you are an international applicant, visit our dedicated International section of the website for information on:

  • How To Apply
  • Auditions
  • International Entry Requirements
  • Fees & Funding

Study Mode: Full Time
Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)
UCAS Institution Code: L30
Validated by: University of Hull*

*Note for applicants and offer holders for 2022/23 entry:

Leeds Conservatoire plans to apply to the Office for Students for Degree Awarding Powers. If we are granted Degree Awarding Powers, your degree may be awarded by Leeds Conservatoire rather than validated by the University of Hull.

BA (Hons) Music (Production with Popular)

BA (Hons) Music (Production with Popular)

Course Type: Undergraduate, Combined Honours
Duration: 3 years
UCAS Course Code: 5W2D

Course Key Information Document 2021/22

Alex Carrie - Alumni

Alumni Profile

Alex Carrie

Course Studied: BA (Hons) Music (Production)
Year of Graduation: 2015

Alex Carrie graduated in 2015, and with his band KRRUM was signed to label 37 Adventures just as they finished their study at Leeds Conservatoire.

Top Career Highlights:

  • Over 5 million plays for track 'Evil Twin' on Spotify
  • Performing at Radio 1's Big Weekend, Lovebox and Pitchfork Paris festivals
  • Track 'Evil Twin' featuring on an Apple Watch 2 advert

 

See more from graduates

Course Tutors

Craig Golding
Craig GoldingHead of School of Music Production and Events

Specialisms: Studio recording and production, song production

Read more
Caterina Mcevoy, tutor at Leeds Conservatoire
Dr Caterina McEvoySenior Lecturer: FdA Music Production, BA (Hons) Music (Production), BA (Hons) Film

Courses Taught: FdA Music Production, BA (Hons) Music (Production), BA Hons) Film

Read more
Rob Bentall
Professor Rob BentallPrincipal Lecturer: Music Production

Courses taught: BA (Hons) Music (Production)

Read more
Facilities

Our Production students have access to 13 recording and mixing studios, equipped with Audient, SSL and Neve equipment, and Logic and Pro Tools recording software, including one with 5.1 surround sound setup and an HD projector, making it perfect for cueing up your sound effects and music with film footage.

Find out more
LCOM-EDGE-OVERLAYS LCOM-EDGE-OVERLAYS
“I did a pop track with a student called Lucy Whittaker. We put it forward for BBC Introducing and it was selected as Radio 1 track of the week, which was amazing and such a massive learning curve.”
– Frankie Harper, Music Production graduate
Open Days

Find out what it's like to study at Leeds Conservatoire by coming along to one of our Open Days. 

As well as talks and tours specific to the courses you're interested in, you can also chat to our staff and students.

Plus, get immediate access to our On-Demand Open Day.

Open Days
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