Course overview
This three-year Contemporary and Popular Music degree focuses on a range of musics and approaches, from acoustic singer-songwriting to jazz and experimental electronic forms, and from ethnomusicology to cultural theory. You’ll grow as an accomplished musician while developing your creativity and critical thinking.
While you may choose to specialise in contemporary and popular music, the beauty of music at Newcastle University is that we offer a broad musical education so you can also take modules on world, classical, and folk and traditional music.
You’ll be able to study a range of historical, theoretical and cultural topics such as: music analysis; music history; DJing and turntablism; studio production; composition; and music, politics and policy.
You’ll receive one-on-one tuition and group lessons from our performance tutors, who are experts in their craft.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions Â
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you’ll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.Â
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Stage 1
You’ll study compulsory modules covering contemporary and popular cultural, theoretical and creative approaches, alongside a cross-disciplinary module that will allow you to develop key academic and professional skills for the study of music. You’ll also select from a range of optional modules.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Popular Music Studies | 20 |
| Academic Practice for Music Studies | 20 |
You must also take a combination of optional modules totalling 60 credits
Of these, you must take at least one of the following modules:
- Introduction to Ethnomusicology
- Understanding Music History
- Traditions of These Islands
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Ethnomusicology | 20 |
| Understanding Music History | 20 |
| Traditions of These Islands | 20 |
| Studio Production | 20 |
| Contemporary Pop Performance | 20 |
| Creative Projects | 20 |
| Essentials and Applications of Music Theory | 20 |
| Applications and Structures of Music Theory | 20 |
| Essentials and Structures of Music Theory | 20 |
Stage 2
You can study a broad range of historical, cultural and practical options and have increasing freedom to determine the balance between these different strands as you progress through the degree.
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Themes in Musical Modernism | 20 |
| Composing for Spaces and Places | 20 |
| Performing Early Opera | 20 |
| DJing Skills and Turntablism | 20 |
| Contemporary Musical Materials | 20 |
| Practising Music Analysis | 20 |
| Indian Music in Practice | 20 |
| Free Music Practice: Experimental Pop & Interdisciplinary Performance | 20 |
| Applied Composition and Songwriting in Folk, Modal and Acoustic Musics | 20 |
| Case Studies in Early Music | 20 |
| Performance Studies 2 | 20 |
| Orchestration | 20 |
| Jazz Today: Tomorrow Is The Question | 20 |
| Popular Music and Media | 20 |
| Folk Music Studies: Resources and Research Materials | 20 |
| Folk Ensemble 2 | 20 |
| Music and Empire | 20 |
| Professional Practice for Music | 20 |
| Community Music: Theory and Practice | 20 |
Stage 3
You’ll complete a major specialist study, which could be: an original composition; a creative project; a performance; or a dissertation/project on an area of interest which you hope to focus on in your life and work after leaving University. You may also take a minor study in a second area of specialism.
You’ll choose the remaining balance of modules from a range of historical, cultural and practical options offered by the world-leading research-active staff at our International Centre for Music Studies (ICMuS).
You must take one of the following compulsory modules:
| Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Major Specialist Study: Composition | 40 |
| Major Specialist Study: Dissertation | 40 |
| Major Specialist Study: Performance | 40 |
| Major Specialist Study: Project | 40 |
You may choose a Minor Specialist Study module from the following list. This must be in a subject area that is substantially different to your major specialist study.
| Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Minor Specialist Study: Composition | 20 |
| Minor Specialist Study: Dissertation | 20 |
| Minor Specialist Study: Performance | 20 |
| Minor Specialist Study: Project | 20 |
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
To bring out the best in you, we use different forms of teaching for the range of approaches to music we cover.
Some modules are based around lectures and seminars, with reading or listening assignments, others are smaller specialised study groups.
Performance modules are often a combination of one-to-one tuition, group workshops and specialist masterclasses.
Skills and experience
Practical skills
If you want to study performance, you can showcase your skills as a solo performer or collaborate with fellow students and industry professionals in ensembles, concerts, recitals, gigs and our student-led Summer Music Festival. The city also has a great music scene.
Our outstanding rehearsal, performance and studio spaces provide the ideal setting for your artistic talents to flourish.
Business skills
You’re able to develop business skills through:
- placements in arts administration and education
- opportunities to study abroad. We have links with universities and conservatoires in Europe, Canada, North America and Australia
Benefit from tuition by practising musicians with invaluable professional and industry experience.
Research skills
Our research is at the heart of what we do, informing our teaching and shaping our creative and scholarly community. Complete a major specialist study in your final year, which could be:
- an original composition
- a dissertation or project on an area of interest
- an instrumental or vocal performance
Opportunities
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.
If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year.Â
Find out more about study abroad
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. A work placement is not available if you’re spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.
Find out more about work placements
Facilities and environment
Facilities
You’ll be based in the School of Arts and Cultures, in the University’s main campus.
You’ll have access to outstanding specialist music facilities, including state-of-the-art studios, rehearsal spaces, specialist tuition rooms, flexible study spaces, and a music skills suite.
Studios
Our professional recording and music production suites provide a space for:
- full band multi-track recording
- electro-acoustic composition multimedia work
- sound art installations
We have a range of portable recording equipment and tools designed for live electronics and technologically mediated live performance. These are accessible to all music students.
Rehearsal spaces
You’ll have access to a range of rehearsal spaces, including:
- 25 acoustically treated practice rooms
- five instrumental teaching rooms
- a large, acoustically isolated, ensemble/band practice room
- two large performance/rehearsal spaces (each seats up to 50 people)
- the University’s King’s Hall (seats 400 people)
Opportunities to perform
We offer a free professional concert series every Thursday lunchtime during term time, followed by a student performance where you have the chance to perform for, and listen to, your colleagues from all of our music degrees.
There is also a student-organised annual Summer Music Festival, showcasing our students’ talents and giving you the chance to gain real-world experience of event management.
Our music students immerse themselves in Newcastle’s thriving music scene which includes everything from high-profile venues like the O2 Academy and the City Hall, to more intimate local spots such as The Cluny, The Cumberland Arms and Bar Loco. It’s also home to the UK’s first co-operatively owned music venue, The Globe.
Support
You’ll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.
Your future
Join our network of confident and successful graduates who benefit from our well-established ties with arts, music and creative organisations and businesses in the city, in the wider region and beyond.
Preparing you for career success
As well as academic excellence, we cultivate the highest professional and intellectual skills, preparing our graduates to succeed in whichever careers they choose.
Our graduates often become professional musicians, performers, composers, teachers, academics, music therapists, studio managers or sound engineers. Other opportunities include:
- arts administration
- music production
- music journalism
- music librarianship
- music publishing
The wide range of transferable skills music graduates develop means that you can easily move into other professions and graduate training routes. These include teaching, management, marketing, accountancy, law, events management, journalism, healthcare and IT.
Careers support
We’ll help enhance your employability through access to career-related training, both as part of the course and through extra-curricular activities. Modules in music enterprise and teaching music help build skills needed for your future career.
We work with a range of arts, music and creative organisations and businesses including artist management and development, music production, community arts, festival and event management, and music therapy. These provide our students with guest lectures, masterclasses and placement opportunities. Examples include:
- Nordoff Robbins
- PRS for Music
- Generator
- Seven Stories
- Side by Side Arts
- Blank Studios
- Harambee Pasadia
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.Â
| A-Level | |
|---|---|
| ABB including Music, Music Technology or another music-related subject, or Rock School or equivalent performance experience. Applicants should be practitioners in a type of contemporary or popular music.
Alternatively BBB including Music, Music Technology or another music-related subject, or Rock School or equivalent performance experience plus Grade 8 Associated Board (Performance). Applicants should be practitioners in a type of contemporary or popular music. If A Levels do not include Music or a relevant music-related subject, an offer of ABB plus Grade 8 Associated Board (Performance), Rock School or equivalent performance experience may be considered. |
|
| International Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
| A minimum of 32 points with Music at Higher Level. Standard Level Music may be considered, but will depend on the combination of subjects being studied. Applicants should be practitioners in a type of contemporary or popular music. | |
