Popular Music MA

Postgraduate

Develop your creative, critical and technical skills as a performer, recording artist, songwriter or music educator, preparing yourself for roles in the contemporary music industry.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST025

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Postgraduate events

Ask a question

The title of this course will change to Popular Music Practice MA in April 2025. All other course content and learning outcomes will stay the same.

Course overview

Develop creative and technical skills as a performer, songwriter or educator, focusing on global and professional contexts.
Engage with interdisciplinary practice through independent and collaborative briefs, including live industry and community scenarios.
Gain transferable skills to help you excel in flexible roles within the contemporary popular music industry.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

Develop advanced technical skills in music performance, songwriting and production.
Enhance creativity and critical reflection as an innovative and versatile popular musician.
Access facilities including five recording studios with Neve, SSL and Dolby Atmos capabilities.⁴
Collaborate with peers from disciplines like music production, film, media, VR and AR.
Prepare for careers as a creative artist, educator, manager or technical professional.

Collaborations

Endorsement: Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)

Coventry University and the RSA have collaborated on a module concerning social and ethical responsibility. You will be entitled to a 12-month fellowship of the RSA so you can access all RSA resources and platforms during your period of study. Once you have successfully passed the Professional Practice and Innovation module, you will receive an RSA digital credential.

What you'll study

Modules

The Musician’s Craft - 30 credits

Delve deeply into your craft as performer, songwriter or creative artist within the contemporary music industry. Identify and develop specific areas of expertise related to the creation and/or performance of popular music. Engage in exploration and experimentation, hone your professional and musical skills within a chosen instrumental or creative specialisation and work closely with your tutor to set and achieve your goals.

Compulsory

Performance and Technology - 30 credits

Experiment with forms, conventions, techniques and practices, and critically formulate how your own creative practice can be developed, reflecting the expectation within the contemporary music industry that musicians be fluent in the use of music and sound technologies. Approaches can include the use of technology in a supporting role, as part of a hybridised approach or as a fully immersive experience. Whichever approach is taken, the emphasis should be on how technology can be incorporated to enhance and mediate a popular music recorded or live experience. Work towards a live performance event using original and/or recreated music that explores the application of different technologies, followed by an open discussion of your practice as research.

Compulsory

Presence, Persona and Identity - 30 credits

Explore your place in the contemporary music industry and develop your professional profile. Focus on an area like pedagogy, entrepreneurship, performance, music business or composition, or explore your intersection. Choose what to emphasise on such as a pedagogical, entrepreneurial, performance, recording artist, music business or compositional outlook or explore the nexus of a number of these within a specific professional focus. Through a negotiated project, develop research-informed, high-quality professional practices reflecting an innovative approach to the music industry.

Compulsory

Creative Frontiers Project – 30 credits

This module offers personalised learning through independent research in a chosen area of the creative industries. Develop research skills and explore theoretical, conceptual and professional issues. The outcome may be an essay or a practical project (for example, production, composition or performance) with supporting commentary. Engage with research methods, industry-standard creative practice and a negotiated project.

Compulsory

Professional Practice and Innovation - 30 credits

This module examines the ecologies of the creative industries, exploring connections between independent, commercial and public sectors. Developed in collaboration with the RSA, it covers topics such as the RSA Four Futures of Work, leadership mindsets, systems thinking, and participatory foresight. Focus areas include sustainability, regenerative thinking, professional skills, and future skills development. Successful completion awards an RSA digital credential.

Compulsory

Collaborative Technologies - 30 credits

This module provides practical experience with high-end production equipment in collaborative settings, enhancing technical expertise and communication skills. Work with peers from other disciplines on projects such as motion capture, film, music and sound. Engage with industry practitioners, apply technical skills in specialist studios, explore sound and image collaboration (for example, film, music and AR/VR) and create live or recorded events. Develop professional networking skills throughout the process.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
demonstrations
group projects
practical projects
workshops
practical studio sessions
live events.

Teaching and learning hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching and learning hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours will vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions, including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent learning

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent learning which will make up the required study hours per module. You will be undertaking a variety of activities, learning through guided background research, planning and preparation, studio activity, creative practice and making, reviewing what you have learned and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress towards the end of your studies, you will spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

presentations
group projects
live simulations
individual application development work
portfolios
written documentation.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above in a music-related discipline, or international equivalent.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

An honours degree 2:2 or above in a music-related discipline, or international equivalent.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,200 per year	Not available
EU	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £11,200 \| £15,200 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary £11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary**	Not available
International	£18,600 per year	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Neve recording studio performance space

Learn what it’s like to be mixed in real-time. Whether you’re looking to create the next R&B hit or want to record the individual parts of a larger rock piece, this recording space is perfect for improving your skills.

Music performance space

Unleash your music in our dedicated performance space. Equipped with a pro audio mixing desk and dynamic lighting, this venue lets you showcase your talent in a truly immersive atmosphere.

Media loan service

Borrow specialist equipment to support your projects and assignments. Whatever you need for your audio, video or photography requirements, we probably have it. We can also offer technical advice and help with using equipment.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the course, you could find yourself in roles such as:

freelance session musician/performer
songwriter
music and sound composer
sound designer
immersive sound technologist/Dolby Atmos
live sound
music teacher/education.

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

individually and collaboratively conceive, develop and execute innovative popular music projects that are tailored to diverse audiences and contexts, demonstrating critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and effective project management skills
justify and critically reflect upon your creative decisions, demonstrating a deep understanding of relevant theoretical frameworks and methodologies
interrogate new and existing approaches to popular music globally and employ the findings in your own creative practice
synthesise and critically evaluate a range of popular music practices and materials, demonstrating a deep understanding of their historical, cultural, and social significance
demonstrate competence in applying knowledge and skills to produce professional work in the field of popular music that assists you in entering your chosen area of professional practice
demonstrate a deep understanding of equity and inclusion principles and their application in diverse professional contexts
work creatively, sustainably, and ethically within a manifold of professional environments.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Full-time applications

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.