This flexible top-up year will gain you a full bachelors degree, with honours
Equivalent to the 3rd year of a degree, this flexible top-up is designed to follow on from our Level 4 and 5 DipHE Music & Sound, but also suits any applicants who have studied a music related HND, Foundation Degree or indeed those with recognised industry experience backed up with qualifications. Validated by the University of West London, the course has been developed to mirror the modern music industry, allowing students to learn the skills to become independent, multi-skilled music practitioners, fluent with various forms of multi-media. The three model layout makes the BA top up highly adaptable to each student's existing strengths, whilst also supporting their development through the programme.The award on completion is a fully accredited BA Hons Music & Sound from the University of West London.
Newly revised for September 2026 starts!
Our top up has been amended to be even more flexible and supportive for our online students. Find out about the changes below on this page. We still offer the opportunity to fast-track students with industry experience (5+ years) onto the BA (Hons) Top Up. We look at your previous experience in music, and if it is accepted you can be 'fast tracked' directly onto the BA Top Up. This means you will be awarded with a full BA Hons Music & Sound after your one year study with us. Your 'Fast Track' application will be handled after you have applied for the BA Top Up through the apply link on this website.
FAQs
Full time 2 x 12 week semesters Part-time 3 x 12 week semesters
Foundation degree or equivalent qualification in relevant subject. Fast-track option: 5+ years industry experience.
There are three modules, within which there are multiple areas of study. For more information, please scroll down.
Three 40 credit Modules
The BA Top Up uses a three x 40 credit module structure (120 credits total).Within the three modules are options to make this top up truly flexible, and supportive to a wide range of independent music practitioners.
Level 6 Project
The Level 6 Project is the culmination of your undergraduate studies, giving you the
opportunity to transform the ideas developed during Artist Development into an ambitious
independent project aligned with your creative interests and professional aspirations.
Working across both semesters, you’ll conceive, plan, develop and deliver a substantial body
of work while demonstrating advanced creative, technical and professional skills, supported
by individual mentoring and specialist project supervision.
Your level 6 project spans the entire top up, through both semesters. It’s a large scale project in an area of your choosing, approved by your project advisor. To give you some ideas, students before have used the level 6 for their own large scale performance project, a songwriting or composition portfolio, events management, music production, a video project, a dissertation or even an EP. Large scale in terms of required submissions for level 6 varies dependent on project area, but it means approximately 45 minutes for performance, 25-30 minutes for production, or 12-16000 words for a dissertation.
Artist Development
Artist Development provides the creative and intellectual foundation for your Level 6 studies.
You’ll investigate, develop and refine your creative practice through research,
experimentation and critical reflection, allowing you to identify the approaches that best
support your artistic and professional ambitions.
You can specialise in one area, combine two complementary disciplines into an integrated
project, or pursue two distinct areas of development simultaneously, creating a personalised
programme of study that reflects your interests and career aspirations.
Performance Development
Production Development
Songwriting Development
Narrative Media
Film Soundtrack
Interactivity & Video Game Music
Event Planning & Sustainability
Research Methods
There are three routes for artist development, A- dual development, B- integrated development or C- specialism. Students choose one route, and for each route the submissions will be a 30 minute artefact (eg recording, performance, portfolio, see the list in the previous information box) plus 4000 words of written work across combined assignments.
Music Industry Practice
Music Industry Practice focuses on preparing you for life after graduation by helping you
develop the practical resources, professional skills and business knowledge needed to
establish yourself within the music and creative industries.
Throughout the module, you’ll build a professional portfolio centred around your own career
ambitions.
You’ll also develop a comprehensive business strategy to support your chosen professional pathway.
Professional portfolio- you’ll develop a range of professional
resources, which may include a professional website, promotional materials, digital
platforms, branding, and tangible evidence of your professional practice. These resources
are designed to showcase your work and provide a strong foundation for launching your
career after graduation.
Business Strategy- you will produce either a detailed business plan, a full funding application, or both,
depending on the nature of your project
What happens next?
Following successful completion, you may progress to post-graduate level study e.g. M.Mus or MA and PgCert. For example- the AMS online M.Mus Music & Sound
Application, Fees and Funding
Application
To apply for a course with AMS online, complete the form on this website, then you will hear back from our admissions team, usually within a day.
You will be invited to attend a 1:1 video interview call that will last about 30/40 minutes.
The interview call is your chance to find out about AMS online and to determine if it could be the right fit for you and your studies. If you are happy that it is the right choice for you, and our team are happy, then you will be made a course offer. This will come in the form of a letter sent to you via email detailing your course, and the offer that you have been made*
Fees per academic year for this course are £8495 total.
- English applicants: Subject to eligibility you can apply for a student loan to cover tuition fees.
- Scottish applicants: Unfortunately there is no funding available for this programme
- Northern Irish applicants: There is part funding for this programme if you choose to study part time. Contact us for more details.
- Welsh applicants: Please check your eligibility for funding for this programme through Student Finance Wales
If you are not eligible for a UK student loan you will need to fund the course yourself.
Payment is made direct to our partner institution, The University of West London.
You can either pay in one lump sum, or three instalments.
*Your offer will be dependant upon your prior qualifications and experience and may include advice on what you need to submit in order to satisfy the conditions laid out in your offer letter. If you are self-funding, the course fee of £8495 will be payable directly to the University upon registration and setup of payment plan.