Entry Requirements
All applicants to Birmingham Conservatoire should meet our English Language Requirements and should offer at least the standard minimum entry requirements for their chosen course:
BMus (Hons)/BMus (Hons) Jazz
Normally, you should satisfy one of the following:
- GCE/GCSE passes in 2* subjects at A2 level (each 40 points minimum)
- Scottish Certificate of Education/Scottish Qualifications Authority Intermediate/Higher/Advanced Higher in 5 subjects, of which 3* are at Higher level
- An Irish Leaving Certificate with 5 subjects at grade C or above, 4* of which are at Higher level
- An International Baccalaureate with a minimum of 24 points
- All other non-UK applicants should have completed a course of secondary education at a high school/college/conservatoire, including classes in music theory. Applicants should normally possess a qualification which would be required for entry to a university in their home country.
PLUS
You will need to demonstrate a standard in First Study equivalent to that of the Associated Board's Grade VIII (Distinction): this may be demonstrated at audition or on audition recordings.
* Candidates hoping to satisfy these requirements should note that successful performance at a Birmingham Conservatoire audition is accepted as the equivalent of one A2 Level/SQA Higher/Advanced Higher/ILC Higher in Music.
GradDip Jazz
You should possess a good bachelor's degree or equivalent. While it is not necessary to demonstrate advanced skills in jazz, you must demonstrate at audition/on audition recordings an appropriate level of musical fluency and technical proficiency in your chosen specialist area, as well as a basic grasp of jazz skills.
PgCert/PgDip/MMus
- PgCert candidates should normally possess at least a bachelor's degree with honours.
- PgDip candidates should normally possess at least a lower second class honours degree (preferably in music) with a minimum of 60 per cent in their first study area. Non-UK candidates should normally possess at least a bachelor's degree, or a degree-equivalent diploma from a conservatoire or equivalent institution.
- MMus candidates should normally possess at least an upper second class honours degree (preferably in music) or equivalent, with a minimum of 60 per cent in their first study area. Non-UK candidates should normally possess a good bachelor's degree, or a similar degree-equivalent diploma from a conservatoire or equivalent institution.
PLUS
You will need to demonstrate at audition and/or interview that they possess appropriate skills in their chosen specialist area.
AdvPgDip
You should normally possess a postgraduate qualification in performance. However, applicants with public performance experience at an appropriate level may be considered.
MPhil/PhD
- MPhil applicants should normally hold a good MA or MMus degree. Applicants without master's degrees are occasionally allowed entry, providing they can demonstrate academic skills comparable to a good undergraduate degree.
- MPhil students are normally expected to apply for transfer to PhD after about one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). It is not necessary to complete the MPhil dissertation before transferring, but students should have submitted a couple of chapters or the equivalent.
- Students applying directly to the PhD must have completed a good master's in an area relevant to their project, and convince an interview panel that they are ready to embark on study at this level.