Note: This course is found under the Undergraduate option when making a UCAS application NOT the Conservatoires option.
Apply nowIn 2005, we became the first UK conservatoire to deliver a specialist course in Popular Music, and we’re still pioneers. We champion original material and encourage you to take creative risks. As well as focusing on your performance skills, you’ll develop composition skills and enrich your commercial expertise with practical guidance.
If you haven’t already, you’ll start your music career whilst you’re studying, and be ready to take it to the next step after graduation. In addition to one-to-one tuition and band work, you’ll access masterclasses from professional performers, songwriters, producers, managers and promoters, supporting your artistic development as well as sharpening your creative voice.
Strong links with the music industry mean that we are in constant contact with major labels such as Sony/ATV, Universal, Polydor and Decca, as well as local labels like Hide and Seek and Leaf Label, and we regularly welcome them here for student showcases and discussions. Our industry relationships have also seen our students perform at Sound City, Live at Leeds, Eurosonic and on the BBC.
We champion original material, and encourage you to take creative risks. By the end of your popular music degree, you will be a specialist in your chosen discipline and will have established your individual artistic identity and voice as a musician, whilst possessing a breadth of understanding, knowledge and transferable skills that will support you throughout your future career.
Leeds has an incredible live music scene, and our students are performing in it every day of the week, from support gigs at the legendary Brudenell Social Club and Belgrave Music Hall, to open mic nights at Oporto, Nation of Shopkeepers and a multitude of other venues. Our regular Friday night showcase, Crosswire, presents some of our best pop and production artists, and our students and alumni have taken the stage at major festivals, including Live at Leeds, Leeds Festival, Tramlines and SXSW.
Graduates from Popular degrees at Leeds Conservatoire have gone on to a wide variety of careers including Recording Artists, Award-winning Folk Artists, Session Musicians, and Producers. Find out more in our Alumni section.
“I launched myself as an artist in first year. I then recorded my debut EP, recorded sessions for BBC Introducing, played at Sound City Festival in Liverpool, supported artists on tour including Newton Faulkner and even had my own headline tour, and that was all in the first two years of studying at Leeds Conservatoire!” – Lauren Rycroft, Popular Music graduate
Our 3 year BA (Hons) Music (Popular) is designed for musicians who know they want to specialise in Popular Music.
All Specialist Study and Specialist Group Study modules are Popular focused.
As with all our courses, studies in your specialist area will be supported by a broader curriculum designed to prepare you for your career in the music industry.
If you know that conservatoire study is for you, but you don’t think that you’ll meet the academic or musical entry requirements, our four-year courses are an excellent opportunity to start studying your degree while you focus on your musical development.
An extra year of access to our creative and collaborative environment, excellent facilities, expert staff and rich performance opportunities will build your confidence as a conservatoire musician.
Find out more about BA (Hons) with Foundation Year.
Popular Music can also be taken as part of a Combined Honours degree.
We are the only UK conservatoire to offer this type of combined degree where you will study both areas of music throughout all three years.
You will take specialist study modules (e.g. your 1:1 tuition) in your first area and specialist group study (e.g. ensembles) in your second.
e.g. for Popular with Jazz, you would have 1:1 Pop instrumental or vocal tuition and also be in a Jazz ensemble.
If you are interested in Pop but would like to specialise in another genre, you can choose to take your Specialist Study modules (including 1:1 sessions where relevant) in one area, and your Specialist Group Study (including ensembles) in Pop.
This 1-year course is for students with a relevant Foundation Degree, HND or equivalent who wish to 'top-up' their qualification to a BA (Hons).
Each year of the course is structured into three distinct strands:
If you choose to study the 4 -year Popular with Foundation Year programme, your first year will focus on developing your instrument/vocals through specialist one to-one tuition, and strengthening your music theory and academic skills, as well as your creativity and artistry.
You will also have access to a weekly programme of workshops and masterclasses, as well as regular individual tutorials with academic staff.
Upon successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will automatically progress to year one on your chosen BA pathway
If you choose a Combined Honours programme (e.g. Popular with Jazz), your Specialist Study (e.g. one-to-one tuition) would be in Popular and your Specialist Group Study (e.g. ensemble/band) would be in your second genre.
In addition to your chosen specialist instrument/voice, you can also choose to have additional 1:1 tuition in a second instrument/voice (for students at Grade 6 standard or higher in their second instrument/voice).
This is not part of your course, but there are a limited number of Instrumental, Vocal & Composition Bursaries available, or tuition can be arranged at additional cost.
96 UCAS tariff points from level 3 studies or equivalent, which normally include A Level Music or a BTEC Extended Diploma in a Music-related subject.
A minimum of three GCSEs including English Language at Grade C / Grade 4 or above or equivalent international qualification, eg IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component).
Foundation Degree, HND or equivalent in a relevant subject.
A minimum of three GCSEs including English Language at Grade C / Grade 4 or above or equivalent international qualification, eg IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component).
Read our full entry requirements to see more detail on musical performance and theory standards.
Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)
Applicants will need to audition, interview and/or submit a portfolio of work.
Exact requirements vary depending on which programme you are applying for.
Find more detailed audition information for applicants.
In many cases, if you prefer to submit your audition online rather than attend in person, this is an option. However, we don't want travel costs to be a barrier to attending in-person auditions at Leeds Conservatoire, so help is available for many applicants where finances are an issue. Eligibility and bursary application information is available on our audition information page.
Visit our Fees and Funding section to find out more about Fees & Funding for International Students.
If you are an international applicant, visit our dedicated International section of the website for information on:
Study Mode: Full Time
Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)
UCAS Institution Code: L30
Validated by: University of Hull
Leeds Conservatoire plans to apply to the Office for Students for Degree Awarding Powers. If we are granted Degree Awarding Powers, your degree may be awarded by Leeds Conservatoire rather than validated by the University of Hull.
Course Type: Undergraduate, Single Honours
Duration: 3 years
UCAS Course Code: W302
Course Type: Undergraduate, Single Honours
Duration: 4 years
UCAS Course Code: W3W2
Course Type: Undergraduate, Combined Honours
Duration: 3 years
UCAS Course Code: 2Q4A
Course Key Information Document 2021/22
Course Type: Undergraduate, Combined Honours
Duration: 3 years
UCAS Course Code: 9Y5T
Course Type: Undergraduate, Single Honours (Top-Up)
Duration: 1 year
UCAS Course Code: W305
Course Studied: BA (Hons) Music (Popular)
Year of Graduation: 2013
Combining Jazz, Soul and Pop, Malaika has accelerated her own exposure, seeking out opportunities for unsigned artists like the local Trinity Sessions to BBC Introducing, and fervently working to maintain good coverage as an artist.
Within her first year of performing she received airplay on BBC Radio, supported X-Factor Finalist Luke Friend and was hand-picked by Jamie Cullum to perform at The Montreal International Jazz Festival 2015.
Meet our alumni
Courses taught: BA (Hons) Music (Popular), BA (Hons) Music (Songwriting)
Read more
Courses taught: BA (Hons) Music (Popular), MA Music
Read more
Courses taught: 1:1 drum tuition to Specialist Study students in Foundation Year (Popular), BA (Hons) Music (Popular)
Read more“I was so excited to be selected for the Leeds Conservatoire touring scheme. You get the chance to plan out the whole package, the whole product. It’s not just a one-off show, it’s a series of live performances that allowed me to bring my sound to a wider audience.” – Lucy Whittaker, Popular Music graduate
Students on our Popular pathway play at our regular showcase, ‘Crosswire’, and perform at venues throughout the city, including the Brudenell Socal Club, Belgrave Music hall, Oporto and Nation of Shopkeepers. In addition, many of our students join the Contemporary Pop Choir and other extra-curricular ensembles that the college run.
Recently, students have performed at:
We have over 70 teaching rooms, practice rooms and bespoke ensemble rehearsal spaces, as well as a comprehensive library of instruments, mics and recording equipment, that are all available until late during term-time.
Find out moreFind out what it's like to study at Leeds Conservatoire by coming along to one of our Open Days.
As well as talks and tours specific to the courses you're interested in, you can also chat to our staff and students.
Plus, get immediate access to our On-Demand Open Day.
Open Days
Clare Copley, Senior Occupational Therapist, has been recognised in the first Mental Health in Education Awards launched by the University Mental Health Advisers Network.
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The winners of the 2024 All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards have been announced and include Nikki Yeoh, a Principal Lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire.
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The Ivors Academy has announced the election of 40 songwriters and composers to its Senate, including the conservatoire's Professor Keith Ayling.
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