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Grwp NPTC Group · Undergraduate
HND Music Foundation degree at Grwp NPTC Group
HND Music at Grwp NPTC Group. The curriculum covers core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.
HND
Award
2
Years
Full-time
Study mode
80%
continuation
About this course
HND Music is a Foundation degree (HND) at Grwp NPTC Group, based in Neath College. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Music & Performing Arts, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.0
/ 10
1 of 3 official measures
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent80
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 80% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
A typical UK Music & Performing Arts degree builds from foundations to specialist options and a final project. An indicative structure:
| Stage | Module |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Performance I Principal-study lessons, ensembles and performance classes. |
| Year 1 | Musicianship & Theory Harmony, aural skills and analysis. |
| Year 1 | Music in Context Repertoire and its history from early music to now. |
| Year 2 | Performance II Recitals and larger ensemble projects; technique deepens. |
| Year 2 | Composition / Music Technology Writing and producing, studio and notation craft. |
| Year 2 | Pedagogy & Community Music Teaching skills and outreach practice. |
| Year 3 | Specialist pathway Performance, composition, musicology or production focus. |
| Year 3 | Professional Development The business of music: funding, promotion, portfolio careers. |
| Year 3 | Final recital / major project A public recital, portfolio or dissertation. |
Typical structure for this subject (indicative). Modules vary by university. Check the provider's course page for the exact curriculum.
Specialisations & pathways
Tip: click a specialisation → current jobs in that area.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This HND Music course equips you with performance and creative skills across a two-year structure. You'll usually begin with principal-study lessons, ensemble work and performance classes, alongside musicianship, theory and aural training. In the first year you'll also explore music in its historical and cultural contexts. As you progress, you move towards composition, music technology and studio craft, whilst also developing teaching and community music skills. The course typically concludes with deeper specialist work in areas such as performance, composition, music production, musicology or music education, supported by professional development in the business and marketing of music. You'll usually present a final recital or substantial project.
Who it's for
The course welcomes students with A-levels or equivalent qualifications; most accepted students over recent years held these. The typical UCAS tariff band among accepted students was less than 48 points. Teaching is delivered in English.
Careers & job market
Nationally, 90% of Music and Performing Arts graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. Graduate earnings vary: starting salaries (at 15 months) typically range from £20,000 to £28,000 nationally; after five years, this rises to £19,975–£28,200.
University & format
This Foundation degree is delivered full-time over 2 years at Neath College, part of Grwp NPTC Group. Instruction is in English. The qualification is recognised by a UK degree-awarding body, so your HND is nationally recognised. Check the university's funding pages for available bursaries and scholarships.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent90% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: Less than 48 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Grwp NPTC Group's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| another higher-education qualification | 10% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accessible entry
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*AAA-level equivalent admitted students held
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Grwp NPTC Group whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Internationalset by the university
Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at Grwp NPTC Group →If you normally live in Wales
Living at homeup to £10,685 / yr
Away from home, outside Londonup to £12,590 / yr
Away from home, in Londonup to £15,720 / yr
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Funding matched to this course
All Grwp NPTC Group funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
undergraduates with course costs
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Check eligibility →students with disabilities
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Check eligibility →students progressing from constituent colleges
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Music & Performing Arts graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
80%
continue past their first year
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in music & performing arts · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Music & Performing Arts nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£20,000 – £28,000
After 3 years LEO
£15,725 – £22,200
After 5 years LEO
£19,975 – £28,200
national rangeaxis £14,500 – £29,500
National figures for Music & Performing Arts graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
80 of 100
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Job market & outlook
How Music & Performing Arts graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Music & Performing Arts courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Music & Performing Arts graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Orchestras & ensembles
- Schools & conservatoires
- Studios & venues
- Media & freelance
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Music & Performing Arts graduates.
Music Tech Beta Liaison & Support SpecialistinMusic Brands, Inc.Music QTSColmore Education Recruitment LtdMusic Teachers in HuddersfieldAcademicsMusic Rights Operations & Data Services LeadPPLMusic Engagement Officer - Alternative Provision · Coventry MusicMusiceducationukMusic Audio & Tech Support Desk SpecialistMandarin RecruitmentLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Fees for this course are set under Wales's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.0 out of 10: continued 80%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Grŵp NPTC Group
All students110
International0%
Aged 25+45.5%
Design, and creative and performing arts across the UK
Students178,755
Aged 25+15.7%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Neath College
575 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 214Anti Social Behaviour 84Public Order 83Shoplifting 61Criminal Damage Arson 38
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Music & Performing Arts right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Grwp NPTC Group from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Grwp NPTC Group; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Grwp NPTC Group’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Grwp NPTC Group and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Grwp NPTC Group
Music & Performing Arts at other universities
BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre Studies (with integrated foundation year)Aberystwyth UniversityBA (Hons) Drama and Theatre Studies (with integrated year in professional practice)Aberystwyth UniversityBA (Hons) Drama & Theatre StudiesAberystwyth University
BA (Hons) Creative Industries Futures (including Foundation Year)ACMCommon questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 144 - 159 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Grwp NPTC Group. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates earn?
See the career and earnings data for Music & Performing Arts below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
What will it cost me?
Fees for this course are set under Wales's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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