Popular Music Performance BA (Hons)

This module is designed to give you the creative and professional skills that are central to the music industry. It bridges the gap between foundational knowledge and advanced techniques, preparing you for both artistic and commercial opportunities.

You will explore a variety of compositional approaches, industry practices, and techniques for remixing and/or live performance, combining creativity with practical insights to help you succeed as a musician and music professional.

What you will do:

• Develop compositional techniques across diverse music styles and genres.
• Gain insight into key aspects of the music industry, including:
• • Staying within the law.
  • Making money from music.
• Explore the relationship between music and artificial intelligence.
• Learn remixing and/or live performance techniques.
• Use harmony and melody to create innovative yet commercially relevant compositions.

By the end of this module, you will be able to apply advanced compositional and/or performance techniques, understand industry standards, and create music that is both artistically original and commercially viable, enabling progression to the Level 6 ‘Songwriting and Composition Portfolio’ module.

This module is essential for developing advanced performance skills that are highly valued in the music industry. It helps you grow as a confident performer while equipping you with the ability to lead and inspire others through inclusive, creative practice.

You will build on your existing knowledge to refine your artistry and learn how music can make a positive impact in applied contexts. This module combines technical skill development with practical strategies for collaboration and leadership.

What you will do:

• Enhance your performance skills through:
• • Improvisatory techniques to boost creativity and adaptability.
  • Advanced listening and analytical skills for deeper musical understanding.
• Improve communication and rehearsal techniques to prepare for live performance events.
• Learn how to facilitate and lead inclusive, participatory workshops in applied settings.
• Explore how applied practice uses music to create meaningful change in people’s lives.

By the end of this module, you will be able to confidently apply advanced performance techniques and lead inclusive musical experiences, demonstrating how music can inspire and transform communities.

This module will provide you with the practical and theoretical underpinning of professional practice in your specific subject, enabling you to identify and develop key employability attributes and skills in preparation for your future career.  

You will spend several weeks working collaboratively with other students across the School for the Creative Industries on one major project or several smaller projects in a professional ‘simulated real world’ working environment.  Projects will be contemporary, topical, externally focussed and often involve partnership with outside agencies. The module will provide you with opportunities for immersive learning and the chance to apply your knowledge in real-world contexts. 

The module provides you with an opportunity to undertake a 140-hour work placement. This placement is complemented by a number of school-delivered sessions designed to develop your employability, professional practice, and understanding of career options. Students learn to reflect on the nature of creativity within their studies, as well as other transferable skills and competencies developed on their programmes, and gain awareness of how this is valued and relevant in modern workplaces. 

This will be a university-level work placement of up to 7 weeks of 140 hours with a placement provider(s) (e.g. an employer from the private, public, or charitable sector). The placement(s) should be relevant to your area of study and wider career goals, and can either be organised by you, or with support from university staff. All work placements within this module must be university-level; this means: Undertaking high-skilled work commensurate with level 5 study (e.g. report writing, attending meetings, delivering presentations, producing spreadsheets, writing content on webpages, social media, marketing services/products etc).

Placement may potentially take place with more than one employer, reflecting the nature of freelance suppliers in the creative industries. To further reflect the diverse nature of employment in the creative industries, some- or all- of your hours may be spent working remotely on activities such as copy-writing, preparation, post-production and presentation.

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at advanced level. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a sustainability issue in a target language country. The first half of the module will prepare you for placements abroad where appropriate as well as a deeper understanding of sustainability in target language contexts. Students of more than one language may take one language in the first half of the module and spend their time abroad developing a different language. 

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at intermediate level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes an placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a business or tourism issue in a target language country. Students of more than one language may take one language in the first half of the module and spend their time abroad developing a different language. 

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at beginner level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a cultural issue in a target language country. Students of more than one language may take one language in the first half of the module and spend their time abroad developing a different language. 

Part A:      

Preparation for Experiential Overseas Learning will take place at the University of Chester during level 5 and will include:  

• The multiple facets of Global citizenship
• Ethical engagement and practice
• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Intercultural communication

Theories, models and strategies of learning

• Theories and models Intercultural competence
• Theories and models of Integration and Multiculturalism
• Critical thinking skills and models of Reflection

• Experiential learning models
• Self-directed experiential learning

Personal and placement-related skills

• Enhanced independence
• Improved command of multicultural behaviour
• Increased knowledge and confidence in their individual facets of personal identity
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Project management – working away from University and independent study
• Self-management and personal development
• Team building and team work

Part B:            Overseas

Students will engage in experiential learning activities overseas for at least 150 hours 

• The multiple facets of global citizenship
• Ethical engagement and practice
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Intercultural communication
• Culture shock
• Cultural adjustment
• Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess-with a strong focus on understanding the intercultural competencies (ICC) needed to live and work abroad.
• Critical analysis/evaluation of individual requirements in relation to culture/cultural adjustment/culture shock/visas/medical.
• Critical analysis/evaluation of skills already acquired in relation to key skills related to ICC.
• Devising strategies to improve one’s own prospects of working abroad in the future.
• Devising an action plan to address gaps in transferable skills based on organisational analysis and sector opportunities.

Preparation for the year abroad will take place in Chester during level 5 and will include:

• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Host-country orientation, study methods– economic, political and social reality of the country
• Orientation specific to exchange – health, education, gender issues
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Practical matters relating to living and studying in the wider world

Theories, models and strategies of learning

• Critical thinking skills, experiential learning and models of reflection

Personal and placement-related transversal skills

• Effective self-motivation and independent resourcefulness
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Project management – working away from University and independent study
• Self-management and personal development

Whilst abroad:

You will undertake study at one of the University of Chester's partner universities or undertake and approved work placement or virtual placement. If you are a student,  it is expected that you will choose a series of modules at the university abroad which must be agreed by the host institution and the Module Leader. you must supply details of you modules on a learning agreement within 4 weeks of arrival at the host university.

This module is vital for developing the advanced performance skills and professional awareness expected in the music industry. It helps you refine your artistry while preparing you for high-level performance opportunities.

You will build a structured practice regime for your instrument or voice and take part in a series of masterclasses designed to elevate your technical and interpretative skills. The focus is on achieving a deeper understanding of yourself as a performer and developing the confidence to deliver professional-level performances.

What you will typically do:

• Create and maintain a professional practice routine for your instrument or voice.
• Participate in masterclasses to enhance technical and expressive abilities.
• Develop advanced self-awareness as a performer and music professional.
• Prepare for and deliver a performance that demonstrates professional standards.

By the end of this module, you will be able to apply advanced performance techniques and demonstrate professional self-awareness through a polished, industry-ready performance.

This module is essential for anyone aiming to work as a professional musician in live performance settings. It equips you with the practical skills and industry knowledge needed to thrive in real-world session environments.

You will experience simulated professional sessions that mirror industry standards, helping you develop the confidence and adaptability required for live performance work. The focus is on building practical expertise and collaborative skills that employers value.

What you will typically do:

• Learn the core skills needed to succeed as a session musician.
• Work within a simulated live session environment to develop professional standards.
• Practise effective communication and collaboration in performance contexts.
• Understand the expectations and demands of industry-standard session work.

By the end of this module, you will be able to demonstrate the practical skills and professional behaviours required to perform confidently and effectively as a working musician in live settings.

This module is vital for preparing you to succeed in the creative industries by developing both your performance identity and professional profile. It combines artistic insight with practical strategies for employability, ensuring you stand out in a competitive field.

You will explore the nature and evolution of live musical events, the role of technology in shaping performance, and how to present yourself effectively as a professional musician. Alongside creative development, you’ll gain the tools to build a strong personal brand and career portfolio.

What you will typically do:

• Analyse the evolution of musical performance events and their cultural impact.
• Examine the development of a musician’s performance persona.
• Investigate the influence of video technology on live and recorded performance.
• Reflect on your existing skills and enhance your professional competencies.
• Create an employability portfolio tailored to your career goals, including:
• • Website development.
  • Social media content and profile creation.
  • Writing CVs and cover letters.

By the end of this module, you will be able to critically evaluate performance practices, develop a distinctive professional identity, and produce an employability portfolio that supports your progression into the creative industries.

This module is vital for preparing you to work in professional music environments, giving you the practical skills needed to succeed as a session musician or engineer. It reflects real-world industry standards and helps you develop confidence in both recording and live contexts.

You will experience the demands of professional session work through simulated real-world environments, learning how to collaborate effectively and deliver high-quality results under time constraints. This module combines technical expertise with practical application to prepare you for careers in performance and production.

What you will typically do:

• Develop skills for working as a session musician or engineer.
• Learn techniques for both recording studio sessions and live performance setups.
• Work in simulated professional environments to mirror real-world expectations.
• Build confidence in managing technical and creative challenges under pressure.

By the end of this module, you will be able to operate effectively as a musician or engineer in professional recording and live contexts, demonstrating the technical and collaborative skills required for industry-standard session work.

This module is an opportunity to showcase your creativity and independence as a composer, which is a highly valued skill in the music industry. It allows you to develop a distinctive musical voice while applying professional research and composition techniques.

You will take full ownership of your creative process by identifying a research area that inspires you and integrating it into your own portfolio of work. This module combines academic rigour with artistic freedom, enabling you to produce a substantial body of original compositions.

What you will typically do:

• Choose and explore a research area that reflects your musical interests.
• Apply appropriate methods and theories to inform your creative practice.
• Develop your own writing style and compositional approach.
• Create a portfolio of work that demonstrates originality and professional standards.

By the end of this module, you will be able to produce a significant body of musical composition within your chosen area of interest, showcasing advanced creative and research skills.

This self-directed module provides you with an opportunity to undertake an extended project on a chosen and approved topic within your subject discipline.  The project enables you to develop and evidence specialist subject knowledge and understanding, engagement with academic literature and theory and exhibit a range of skills including independent research and project management.

You are encouraged to choose a project topic which reflects your particular interests in your subject area/career aspirations and can be written or practice-based.  In the initial stages of the module, you will engage with a series of sessions focused on research practice including research methodologies and ethical practice.  You will then formatively present your project idea, gaining feedback to hone the focus and title.  You will conduct individual research and will be strongly encouraged to collaborate with others if you are undertaking a practice-based project.

Whether the project outcome is an artefact (eg film, music recording or series of articles/features), a practice-based outcome (eg performance or presentation) or a written dissertation, extensive research needs to be conducted to inform and develop the project topic and offer an appropriate framework for study.  Regular meetings with your supervisor will give you the opportunity to gain ongoing feedback on your research project.

The project culminates in the submission of the written dissertation or practice-based outcome.  Those assessed on a practice-based outcome must also submit an individual contextualising document.  

The specialist, transferable and soft skills developed in this module will help you to prepare for your chosen profession or next step in your 'graduate trajectory'.