BA (Hons) Modern Music Industries

Learn in Sunderland's cultural quarter at the Northern Academy of Music Education. Study key practices and ideas associated with commercial music production. Pursue a career in commercial music and associated fields.

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A person playing a keyboard and about to turn the page of the music they are reading

Start date/study mode:

UCAS codeW315

Duration3 years

Fee (UK)£9,535

LocationOn campus

Course summary

The BA (Hons) Modern Music Industries degree is designed to develop both the practical skills and critical thinking needed to thrive in today’s dynamic music industry.

Created and taught by active industry experts, the course covers key areas such as recording, marketing, event planning, composition, genre studies, and performance. It offers a unique blend of music management and performance-focused training, giving you the flexibility to shape your career path.

Delivered by the Northern Academy of Music (NAME)(opens in new tab), the degree combines academic study with real-world insight. You’ll learn under the guidance of experienced professionals who remain actively involved in the music industry, ensuring that the curriculum reflects current trends, challenges, and opportunities.

With a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and industry engagement, you’ll be encouraged to study on your own terms while building a solid foundation in both the creative and business sides of music.

Upon graduation, you’ll be well-equipped for a career in live or recorded music, or related sectors such as media and education. Past graduates have pursued roles in performance, production, songwriting, sound engineering, venue and band management, event promotion, music recording, and content creation.

NAME(opens in new tab) is run by seasoned music professionals who are still active in the music industry, meaning the course content is carefully crafted from years of collective experience.

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some of these options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific required modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Undergraduate module credits should total 120 credits per academic year. If optional modules are available alongside core modules on your course, you should choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

This course is based at The Peacock and The Fire Station in Sunderland's cultural quarter, and is delivered by NAME(opens in new tab). You'll have use of facilities including music practice rooms, performance spaces, classrooms, and sound recording facilities.

The degree allows you to lead on your own artistic progression by focusing on your vocational interests in the field.

In years one and two, you'll learn about event management and production, with elements of genre studies at the core of the course. You'll also have the option of studying music theory and music business. Alongside your studies, you'll follow a personal progression pathway, where you can choose a topic in your own area of interest to develop as a research project.

In the third year, your studies will become more learner-led. You'll present an investigation on your personal practice, while learning to teach your specialist field and creating your own professional portfolio.

At the end of the course, you'll have developed skills that'll help you with future employability.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is 96-112 UCAS Tariff points, from a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A Levels, T Levels, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

You'll also be required to prepare an audition piece in a specialist field. We can consider those coming from a non-traditional entry route and a case may be made for entry onto the course if your audition is outstanding or if you have experience in the music industry. In this case, a sample of written work must be submitted to ensure that you're capable of the academic rigour of the course.

Please note, this course isn't open to international students.

You also need three passes at GCSE grade C or above, which must include mathematics and English language, or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you've studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade, you'll need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator(opens in new tab).

Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you to study with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS Tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you're eligible for a tariff point reduction.

If you already have a foundation degree, HND, or HNC qualification in music or a music-related course, you may be eligible to join us as a direct applicant into stage 2 or stage 3 of this degree. This will be using our Accreditation of Prior Learning route. For more information on how to apply to join stage 2 or stage 3, please contact NAME(opens in new tab).

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

Fees and finance support

UK£9,535

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,535. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Check your fee status(opens in new tab).

See all course tuition fees.

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Start date/study mode:

UK students

Full-time September 2026
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Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and been offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

View our programme specifications(opens in new tab) for further information about what the course covers, learning outcomes and the skills you'll gain when you graduate.