Music / Instrumental and Vocal Performance / Composition / Music Technology – BMus

Achieve the extraordinary. Study at the conservatoire of the future.

We have invested £57 million into our impressive state-of-the-art music facilities with the aim of creating functional spaces that combine tradition with cutting edge technology. The focus of our undergraduate music course is to help you realise your potential and become the best musician that you can be, with the support of an encouraging creative environment.

With 30 hours of individual specialist tuition per year, increasing to 35 in year four, you will get the individual attention you need to prepare for a successful career in the music profession. Our students benefit from the individual care and attention of our highly qualified professional team of tutors and support staff, who are dedicated to supporting and developing the potential of each student.

Students studying on our BMus degree in music apply to one of three pathways; either BMus (Hons) Performance (instrumental or vocal), BMus (Hons) Composition, or BMus (Hons) Music Technology.

What’s covered in the course?

In addition to benefiting from individual tuition, you will enjoy a range of activities designed to develop your artistry, musical fluency and personal and professional awareness.

You will find yourself immersed in masterclasses and performance and composition workshops.  Individual ensemble coaching and playing and teaching techniques complete the picture, helping you to become a well-rounded musician.

Top-flight singers and musicians – including baritone Roderick Williams, violinist Tasmin Little OBE, cellist Ben Davies, soprano Danielle de Niese and pianist Stephen Hough – are among musicians who have worked with and inspired our students.

Towards the end of your course, you will carry out a major project, which allows you to explore a specialism and format which matches your professional aspirations. This can be anything connected to music, from performance to business projects and  dissertations to multi-media installations.

Academically, you will explore themes such as musicianship, music history and professional development. As well as getting a thorough grounding in technical and performance skills with an emphasis on harmony and aural training, you will cover topics such as education and outreach work, conducting and world music.

Why Choose Us?

• Students are satisfied with this course! We scored 94.6 per cent for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2018.
• Our performance health programme – including performance coaching, physiotherapy and movement workshops and Alexander technique – allows students to develop as confident and effective performers.
• We provide 30 hours of individual specialist tuition per year (increasing to 35 in year four). This is far more than is typically offered by academic university music courses. You are also allocated five hours a year, to spend with a conservatoire tutor of your choice.
• We are recognised by the Association of European Conservatoires. All our tutors are professional musicians who bring a lifetime of musical experience and insight to their teaching.
• We have countless partnerships and long-established professional relationships with organisations including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Welsh National Opera, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Orchestra of the Swan and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
• You’ll have full access to our superb £57 million facilities, including our Concert Hall, 150-seat Recital Hall, our black box performance space known as The Lab, seven recording studios, and more than 70 practice rooms, ensemble rooms and workshops; all acoustically designed to provide a music-making environment that is world-class.
• Last year our musicians collectively earned over £50,000 by being hired to play at events through our Book a Musician service.