BSc (Hons) Creative Industries (Popular Music Technology) (Top-Up)

Music at USW is rated top in Wales for learning opportunities, academic support _{^{National Student Survey 2023}}

This degree is based at USW’s purpose-built campus, in the creative centre of Cardiff.

The BSc (Hons) Creative Industries (Popular Music Technology) is a one-year top-up degree for students who have already spent two years on a relevant music course. It will ensure that your skills and intellectual abilities are raised to the level expected of a full Honours Degree student, and provide the professional skills needed for a career in today’s music and entertainment industry.

Throughout the Popular Music Technology course you will be involved in extensive group project work, which will focus on the development of industry related products. For a broader understanding of industry and the workplace, you will collaborate with your fellow students in performance, composition, recording and research. This approach will bring together expertise from theatre, studio recording, live sound, radio, television, film, journalism, interactive media, design and more.

A purpose-built city-centre campus in Cardiff, the home of creative industries

2023
2024

UCAS Code	Study Mode 2023	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
PH10	Full-time	1 Year	September	Cardiff (ATRiuM)	B

UCAS Code	Study Mode 2024	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
PH10	Full-time	1 Year	September	Cardiff (ATRiuM)	B

You will be taught how to market yourself in preparation for a career in industry, with regular exposure to creative and cultural networking events and talks from industry forming an inherent part of your studies.

The course content has been specifically developed in conjunction with leading creative and technical practitioners in the creative industries. The nature of the course blends the practical and theory elements with a strong emphasis on vocational studies and the production of digital content in order to provide ideal preparation for a career in industry after graduation.

The following modules are attached to this top-up award:

Major Production Project - You will produce a finished production in your chosen field to a professional standard.

Group Entrepreneurial Project - You will undertake major piece of group work which will typically consist of background research, planning, preproduction, production and post-production of an industry standard product along with developing your entrepreneurial skills.

Independent Study - You will undertake reading, research or practical work on a topic of your choice by independent study

Commercial Audio Production - You will develop relevant technological skills for audio production utilising contemporary audio technologies

Teaching

There are varied approaches to teaching, including practical studio-based workshops, tutorials, seminars and lectures. Because we have such a strong hands-on approach, there is an emphasis on practical assessments and group work.

This top-up award features a significant workshop and teamwork element that is assignment-based and regularly assessed, thus ensuring your skills are continually being developed.

Assessment

Course assessment is through regular coursework submissions, in addition to examinations in some areas.

Facilities

Our facilities are equipped with the latest industry-standard software and hardware, which will enhance your employability within the creative industries whatever your chosen career path.

Lecturers

Andrew Gwilliam, Course Leader
Andy Cooper, Lecturer

We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

Applicants for this award must have successfully completed a Foundation Degree in Music. Equivalent level qualifications may also be considered for entry onto this award.

Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.

August 2023 - July 2024 Fees

Full-time UK: £9000
Full-time International: £14100

August 2024 - July 2025 Fees

Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: £14950

Student Perks

At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.

Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.

Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

Funding

Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs

Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.

UK students

Apply via UCAS if you are a UK residing applicant, applying for year 1 of a full-time undergraduate degree, Foundation Year, Foundation Degree or HND and you have not applied through UCAS before. If you are applying to study part-time, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution, please apply directly.

International and EU students

Apply directly to the University if you live outside the UK.

Apply now

Admissions statement

This top-up year degree specifically prepares students for work within the creative industries. This might include areas such as music production, but the diverse nature of the course means that by graduation you will be apply your skills to a wide range of careers within the creative industries, such as, audio production for Film, TV and Games. It will also allow you to develop your skills as a creative musician & performer.

There is also a strong emphasis on business start up and self-employment and this is underpinned through the development of key skills, which provides a range of other career opportunities.

Our Careers and Employability Service

As a USW student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.

This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.

Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.