Music (Top-Up) BA (Hons)

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Grasp new opportunities for creative music exploration and expression. Improve your performance and presentation skills, your depth of subject knowledge and application, and your critical analysis and research skills.

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Overview

This top-up course is designed to build on HND or Foundation Degree qualifications in music. It combines degree-level theoretical studies with further training in musical performance, musicology, creative sound, and participatory practice. The result is a mix of academic rigour and practical skills that makes our music course a stimulating journey of discovery, reflection, and achievement.

Why us?

Sunderland is a globally recognised music city (The Music Cities Network, 2025)
Our Music courses are 1st in the north-east for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)
Top up an HND or foundation degree to a full honours degree, studying with award-winning lecturers
Pursue your passion through independent music study with either a practical or theoretical focus

Opportunities to participate in musical theatre projects and choir performances, and collaborate with dance, drama, and media students
Aspiring teachers can gain experience working as a music facilitator in educational and community settings
Top up an HND or foundation degree to a full honours degree, studying with award-winning lecturers

#WeAreCreativeIndustries

Course structure

Teaching and learning methods encourage you to engage with theory and practice. Feedback on performance and projects is supported by lectures, seminars, and workshop discussions. Assessment methods include public performances, presentations, essays, and critical evaluations.

Part-time study

If you study this course on a part-time basis, you'll typically complete 40-80 credits in a year, rather than the 120 credits of full-time students. All modules are taught during the day and you'll be studying alongside full-time students.

Final Year (Top-Up) (national level 6):

Core modules:

Music and Meaning (30 credits)

In this module, you’ll explore how music expresses ideas like identity, emotion, power and culture. You’ll study real examples from songs and scores to videos and live shows, and ask how music communicates without words.

You’ll learn key tools to understand music, such as rhythm, melody, harmony and texture. You’ll also apply these ideas through creative work, discussion and personal research.

Music Performance (30 credits)

Do you love singing or playing an instrument? Want to perform live as part of a group? This module helps you build your performance skills and confidence on stage.

In this module, you'll grow as a performer by developing your vocal or instrumental skills, learning to express emotion through music, and understanding what makes a performance connect with an audience. You'll also explore how music can be experienced differently depending on the setting, and work as a group to create and deliver a live show.

Creative Sound (30 credits)

What can sound do beyond music? How can we use everyday noises to tell stories, build emotions, or challenge ideas?

In this module, you’ll explore sound as a creative tool. You’ll learn how artists and composers use sound in exciting ways, from sound art and experimental music to sound design and field recordings. You’ll discover new ways of listening and start thinking about sound as more than just something you hear.

Creative Enterprise (30 credits)

What does it really take to work in the creative industries?

Explore real jobs in the creative world like media and design, music, art and fashion. Uncover how the industry is changing, learn from experts, and discover what skills employers are looking for.

You'll be given a brief for a real-world project, with support from your tutor and experts in the industry. Explore a potential job path and learn how to plan and deliver work professionally. You'll also create an online portfolio or digital CV to show off your best work and help promote yourself as a creative professional.

Please note, modules are subject to review. Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Facilities

This course is based at the Priestman Building, the main base for art, design and performance on City Campus. Thanks to a major renovation programme, the Priestman Building provides state-of-the-art teaching space and resources as part of a vibrant and creative learning environment.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

The typical entry requirement is the successful completion of one of the following:

BTEC HND in a subject related to music
Foundation Degree in a subject related to music
240 credits or equivalent of a recognised UK undergraduate award in a relevant subject.

We'll consider applications from applicants who don't hold one of the qualifications in the list above but who do have relevant experience.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

£9,535 if you are from the UK*/Europe
£16,500 if you are an international student

*Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Tuition fees for part-time students are £7,145 per 90 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's by night

Career ready

This course prepares you for roles in music-related areas of the creative industries, participatory arts, and arts management, as well as for entrepreneurship in the creative sector. You could also undertake further training to become a music teacher.

Practical experience

The ‘Live Project’ module allows you to build up experience that attracts potential employers. It could consist of touring new work, collaborating with youth organisations, or working with professional musicians.

Links with the music industry

The University has strong links with arts organisations throughout the North East. These links are valuable in ensuring the relevance of our courses and in opening up opportunities for projects and placements.

Enhance your CV

The University of Sunderland is committed to ensuring that every student has an impressive range of opportunities to enhance their CV and gain valuable experience through:

Work placements
Graduate internships
Studying abroad
Student Ambassador Scheme
Mentoring
Starting your own business
Student jobs and volunteering
Careers advice.

Meet the students

Whatever you choose to study, make sure that you are happy.

Andreas Poupazis

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries.

Page last updated: 22 May 2025

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.