BA (Hons) Popular and Commercial Music

Undergraduate Entry Requirements:

Academic Requirements: International students applying for undergraduate programs at University of South Wales should have completed their secondary education with a minimum of 65% or above in their respective national qualifications.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
• TOEFL: A minimum score of 72, with a minimum of 17 in each component.
• PTE Academic: A minimum score of 64, with no component below 59.

Students must provide:

• academic marksheets & transcripts
• letters of recommendation
• a personal statement - SOP
• passport
• other supporting documents as required by the university.

It is important to note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.

The University of South Wales offers several scholarships and financial support opportunities to both domestic and international students. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, support students from underrepresented backgrounds, and assist those who may face financial barriers in pursuing their education. 

Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship: This scholarship is available for international students applying for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It offers a significant reduction in tuition fees.

International Merit Scholarship: This scholarship is open to international students and provides a reduction in tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programs based on academic merit.

Academic Achievement Scholarship: This scholarship is available for full-time undergraduate students who have achieved excellent academic results. It offers a reduction in tuition fees.

South Wales Business School Scholarships: The Business School offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing business-related programs. These scholarships may provide financial assistance or work placements.

Sports Scholarships: The university offers sports scholarships to support talented athletes in their academic and sporting pursuits. These scholarships may include financial support, access to training facilities, and mentoring.

Alumni Discount: The University of South Wales provides a discount on tuition fees for eligible alumni who wish to pursue further studies at the university.

Country-Specific Scholarships: The university may offer scholarships specifically targeted at students from certain countries or regions. These scholarships aim to promote diversity and internationalization.

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Popular and Commercial Music program at the University of South Wales (USW) are equipped with a diverse set of skills and experiences that prepare them for a variety of exciting career opportunities within the music industry and related fields. With their knowledge of popular music genres, music production techniques, performance skills, and music business acumen, graduates can pursue roles in areas such as music production, artist management, live performance, music marketing, and music entrepreneurship.

Music Producer: Graduates can work as music producers, overseeing the recording, mixing, and mastering of music tracks for artists, bands, or record labels. They collaborate with musicians, songwriters, and engineers to create high-quality recordings that meet artistic and commercial objectives. Music producers may specialize in specific genres or styles and work in recording studios, production companies, or freelance settings.

Artist Manager: Graduates can pursue careers as artist managers, representing musicians, bands, or music artists and overseeing their careers. They handle various aspects of artists' careers, including booking gigs, negotiating contracts, managing finances, coordinating promotional activities, and providing guidance on artistic development and career strategy. Artist managers play a crucial role in shaping artists' careers and helping them achieve success in the competitive music industry.

Music Promoter/Marketer: Graduates can work in music promotion or marketing roles, promoting music releases, events, and artists to target audiences. They develop marketing strategies, create promotional materials, coordinate press coverage, manage social media campaigns, and engage with fans to increase awareness and drive sales for music products and events. Music promoters and marketers work for record labels, music agencies, event companies, or as independent professionals.

Live Sound Engineer/Technician: Graduates can work as live sound engineers or technicians, operating sound equipment and mixing sound for live music performances, concerts, festivals, or events. They set up sound systems, monitor audio levels, adjust sound quality, and troubleshoot technical issues to ensure high-quality sound reinforcement for performers and audiences. Live sound engineers may work for venues, event production companies, or touring bands.

Music Entrepreneur/Startup Founder: With their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, graduates can launch their own music-related ventures, such as music production companies, artist management firms, record labels, music festivals, or music tech startups. They can innovate and disrupt traditional models, create new opportunities, and shape the future of the music industry through entrepreneurship and innovation.

Music Educator/Instructor: Graduates can pursue careers in music education, teaching music lessons, workshops, or classes to aspiring musicians, students, or community groups. They may work as private music instructors, school music teachers, or instructors at music academies, community centers, or cultural institutions, sharing their knowledge and passion for music with others and nurturing the next generation of musicians and music lovers.

Music Journalist/Blogger: For graduates interested in media and communications, there are opportunities to work as music journalists, bloggers, or content creators, writing articles, reviews, or blogs about music news, trends, and events. They may work for music publications, websites, blogs, or social media platforms, covering a wide range of music genres, artists, and industry developments.