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Digital Music with Foundation Year in Popular Music

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site
Awarded by:
Solent University

Course summary

Got a passion for music production? Hoping to pursue a music degree here at Solent University? This year-long popular music production foundation programme is structured to equip you with the broad range of production and performance skills you’ll need to progress onto a full degree.

This course enables students from widely varied backgrounds and with varying aspirations, to develop their music production and performance skills, whilst helping to acclimatise to the ethos and expectations associated with higher education study in general, and study at undergraduate level.

Throughout their studies, students will have access to a range of contemporary, industry-standard software and plugins including; Logic Pro X, Ableton Live Suite, Pro Tools and Native Instruments’ Komplete. Students also enjoy access to our professional recording studios, acoustically treated workstations, DJ equipment/facilities, music labs, and instrumental practice rooms.

Students build a broad knowledge of music production, studio recording and live sound engineering.

What does this course lead to?
On completion of the foundation year you choose to progress onto the BA (Hons) Digital Music degree.

Who is this course for?
Students who are new to music production/music performance or those who do not yet meet the entry requirements for an undergraduate music production degree will benefit most from the foundation programme.

Modules

FOUNDATION MODULES
Digital Music (Introduction)
Popular Music Production (Introduction)
Musicianship
Music Industries
Music in Context
Major Project

Successful completion of the foundation year will see you automatically progress onto the BA (Hons) Digital Music degree where you will study the following modules:

YEAR 1 - CORE MODULES
Digital Music Production and Composition 1
Digital Music Production and Composition 2
Studio Practice
Electronic Music in Context (Historical)
Artist Development 1 - The Music Industries
Digital Music Live 1 - Creation

YEAR 2 - CORE MODULES
Mixing
Artist Development 2: Branding and Self-Release
Digital Music Live 2: Performance
Electronic Music in Context (Contemporary)
Music and Sound for Film

YEAR 2 - OPTIONS (please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each academic year)
Digital DJing
Music and Sound for Games

YEAR 3 - CORE MODULES
Digital Music Final Major Project
Artist Development 3: Industry Portfolio
Artist Development 4: Networking and Promotion
Collaborative Project

YEAR 3 - OPTIONS (please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each academic year).
Advanced Mixing and Mastering
Surround Mixing

Assessment method

This largely practical course is mostly assessed through music-related projects with accompanying reports; though also incorporates presentations, love performances and portfolios (where applicable).

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
DM03
Institution code:
S30
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

International applicants

For information about applying to Solent as an International applicant, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/help-for-international-students

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff 48 points

A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at PPP or BTEC Diploma at MP or equivalent. Applicants over the age of 21 may be considered based on relevant experience, without having the required tariff points.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds. Applicants who are not in possession of the minimum entry requirements but are able to demonstrate aptitude, enthusiasm and motivation will be considered on an individual basis and may be admitted subject to satisfactory interview and/or portfolio. Please contact us for further details.

A level DD

From two completed A levels.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) PPP

AS

In combination with other qualifications.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) MP

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) M

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) D

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

In combination with other qualifications.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) A

Extended Project

In combination with other qualifications.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma PPP

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma MP

OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma MM

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma MM

OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma D

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate D

OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate

In combination with other qualifications.

AQA Level 3 (Foundation) Technical Level (360 glh) D

AQA Level 3 Technical Level (540 glh) MM

AQA Level 3 Technical Level (720 glh) MP

AQA Level 3 Technical Level (1080 glh) PPP

IELTS minimum score of 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.0 in each component of reading, writing , speaking and listening.
TOEFL (IBT) minimum score of 71 overall with a minimum of 19 in each component of reading, writing, speaking and listening.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four components

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We understand that each student is unique. At Solent we encourage individuality and have adopted a balanced approach to Admissions, by considering exam results alongside portfolios / interviews or auditions.

Our contextual offer scheme allows offers below our standard academic entry criteria to those who have faced challenges which has impacted their performance and predicted higher grades, by taking into account additional selection criteria such as a strong portfolio, interview or audition.

Learn more on the Southampton, Solent University website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

Sponsorship information

Solent University offers a number of bursaries, grants and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/finance/grants-bursaries-scholarships/bursaries

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