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 individual specialist tuition throughout all four years of the course you will get the individual attention you need to prepare for a successful career in the music profession. You can also apply for additional hours with a Conservatoire tutor of your choice to help support your studies and develop your skills in complementary areas. 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?
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Students are satisfied with this course! Our music provision received an overall satisfaction rating of 92%, making us the top conservatoire in the UK for the third year running!
- Our performance health programme – including performance coaching, physiotherapy and movement workshops and Alexander technique – allows students to develop as confident and effective performers.
- Individual specialist tuition throughout all four years of the course – far more than is typically offered by academic university music courses. You can also apply for additional hours with a Conservatoire tutor of your choice to help support your studies and develop your skills in complementary areas.
- 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.
- In 2018/19 our musicians collectively earned over £43,000 by being hired to play at events through our Book a Musician service.
Similar Courses
Jazz - BMusThis course is open to International students
Discover Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Visit our School site for more student work and extra information.
I AM BCU
Amy Ewen
Amy always thought she wasn’t good enough to study at conservatoire level but her passion and potential didn’t go unnoticed. She now has high aspirations since joining BCU.
Where our students go
Our students have gone on to work with companies such as:
- BBC Symphony Orchestra
- CBSO
- Bergen National Opera
- RSC
- Presto Classical
- Welsh National Opera
- Glyndebourne Festival
- Les Arts Florissants
And in jobs such as:
- International Tutor
- Music Teacher
- Freelance performer
- Principal Singer
- Running their own business
Entry Requirements
For insurance purposes, you must be at least 18 years of age by 1 September in the year of enrolment. Normally, you should satisfy one of the following:
Essential Requirements
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Applications for this course are made via UCAS Conservatoires |
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Entry to the BMus (Hons) is by audition only. Applicants will be required to demonstrate general musical knowledge and musicianship skills, including harmony and aural. Audition requirements differ per instrument/specialism applied for. |
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Composition - Composers must send a portfolio of at least three compositions and a high-quality recording of at least one of these works at least two weeks before their audition date. |
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| LEVEL 2 QUALIFICATIONS | ||
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| GCSE |
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| Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) | See level 3 entry under Irish Leaving Certificate for full details | |
| Scottish National 5 |
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| IELTS | Minimum overall score of 6.0, with 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in the remaining three skills. | |
| LEVEL 3 (and above) QUALIFICATIONS | ||
| A Level and Advanced VCE |
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| AS and AS VCE | Considered with a maximum of 2 other Level 3 qualifications (AS Levels must be in different subject to A-Levels) to obtain 32 pts | |
| Access to HE Diploma |
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PPP | |
| Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design & Media) | Pass | |
| IBO Certificate in Higher Level |
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| International Baccalaureate Diploma |
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| Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) | Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of 32 tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects. achieved in five Higher level subjects. This must include English Language taken at either Ordinary Level (minimum grade O1-O4 (or A-C/A1-C3)) or Higher level minimum grade H1/H7 (or A-D / A1-D3 up to and including 2016 | |
| OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma | PPP | |
| Scottish Advanced Higher |
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| T-Levels | Pass overall (D or E on the core) | |
| UAL Extended Diploma in Art & Design | Pass overall | |
| UAL Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology | Pass overall | |
| UAL Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts | Pass overall | |
For full details, audition requirements and audition advice, please visit the Auditions section of the Conservatoire website.
A standard in First Study equivalent to that of the Associated Board’s Grade VIII (Distinction): this may be demonstrated at audition or on your audition recording.
Don’t meet our entry requirements?
You could apply for a foundation course or a course at our International College. These routes have lower entry requirements and act as the bridge to a full degree. To find out more, please select your status:
- UK students
- International students
Award: BMus
Starting: Sep 2021
Pathway: Composition
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
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TBC
- Apply via UCAS
Award: BMus
Starting: Sep 2021
Pathway: Music Technology
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
-
TBC
- Apply via UCAS
Award: BMus
Starting: Sep 2021
Pathway: Performance
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
-
TBC
- Apply via UCAS
Award: BMus
Starting: Sep 2021
Pathway: Composition
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
-
TBC
- Apply via UCAS
Award: BMus
Starting: Sep 2021
Pathway: Music Technology
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
-
TBC
- Apply via UCAS
Award: BMus
Starting: Sep 2021
Pathway: Performance
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
-
TBC
- Apply via UCAS
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
The deadline for on-time applications is normally on or around 1 October in the year prior to entry, followed by auditions in November (for those attending an audition in Birmingham). If you apply between 1 October and 4 January, you may be eligible for our late auditions in February, if places are still available. For detailed information, see our How to Apply section.
Personal statement
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Course choice
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Additional costs
Our courses include activities such as performance, exhibitions, field trips and production of works or artefacts which may require you to purchase specific equipment, instruments, books, materials, hire of venues and accommodation, or other items.
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Accommodation and living costs
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Year one
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete one of the following principal study modules and all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits): |
Year two
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete one of the following principal study modules and all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits): |
Year three
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete one of the following Principal Study modules and all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits): |
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules. |
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Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
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Year four
In Year four, all students will select a total of 120 credits which must include one module from List A (Principal Study), one module from List B (Project) at least 20 and no more than 40 credits from list C (indicative list of optional modules). |
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Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
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Course Structure
Years one to three
We concentrate on providing you with a thorough grounding in technical and performance/ composition skills, alongside contextual studies, musicianship and professional development activities such as conducting, pedagogy and community music. Each year, you have more choice and opportunities to specialise in your studies.
Professional development is embedded into our core modules, which focus on self-awareness, understanding your strengths and weakness, goal setting and self-motivation.
The Conservatoire participates in a number of exchange schemes with European and US Conservatoires. Provided that you achieve the appropriate levels of skills, you will be encouraged to spend a semester of year three at a partner institution.
Year 4
You will effectively design your own curriculum based on your career aspirations. You will be assessed on performance, composition or music technology (as appropriate) and design your own final project in any area of music you wish. You will take one or more additional modules in professional development, pedagogy or other specialist areas.
Student stories
Samantha Oxborough
Lancashire born twenty-five year old Mezzo Soprano Samantha Oxborough is a recent graduate from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with a Post-Graduate Certificate and a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours under Christine Cairns and David Wilkinson. In 2019, Samantha moved to London and joined the Young Artist Programme at the National Opera Studio.
Study and work abroad
If you are interested in undertaking part of your studies abroad, the Erasmus scheme may be of interest to you. It allows higher education students to study for part of their degree in another European country.
It is open to undergraduates in their second year (or above) and offers a unique opportunity to enhance your CV and experience new cultures. If you study with us you will have access to an Erasmus co-ordinator, who can provide information about which institutions we have links with.
Further Studies
Graduates frequently go on to Masters courses in Performance, Composition or Music Technology either at Birmingham Conservatoire or at other British, European or American universities.
Student stories Laura Mvula
Release of Debut Album 'Sing to the Moon'
Laura Mvula is a singer-songwriter and one of the 2013 Alumni of the Year. She landed her first record deal with Sony Music Entertainment's flagship label, RCA Records, and in March 2013 released her debut album, 'Sing to the Moon', which reached the UK Top 10.
Laura won two MOBO awards in 2013 - Best Female Act and Best R&B/Soul Act - plus nominations for BRIT and Q awards, and she came fourth in the BBC's Sound of 2013 new music list. In September 2013 her album - acclaimed by the Sunday Times Culture as "a masterpiece" - was shortlisted for the Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize.
She has also featured alongside actress Dame Helen Mirren and singer Ellie Goulding in Marks & Spencer's 'Britain's Leading Ladies', a campaign for the high-street chain's new clothing range.
Trips and Visits
There are no guaranteed trips or visits but there are regular opportunities, according to your chosen discipline. For example, we expect to send some of our students to Brazil and China in the next 18 months.
Enhance Employability Skills
All of the UK's Conservatoires aim to do the same thing: to train students for the music profession with the emphasis firmly on your principal study, whether that is in performance, composition or music technology.
As a vocational programme, it is easy to see how all your principal-study work adds to your professional development. Yet Royal Birmingham Conservatoire believes other areas of the course are just as important: the skills in writing, research, communication and critical and reflective thinking that you develop in the academic modules are exactly the types of graduate skills that make you more employable in any area of professional life, musical or otherwise.
Team working and collaborative skills are highly valued in the profession as a whole and are particularly important in any musical context, and you will have opportunities to work as part of team and ensembles across all areas of the course. Equally, you will have opportunities to develop your ability to work under your own direction, whether that is through the individual time spent practising, researching and writing essays and presentations, or working on personal development projects.
The course is designed so that we can guide you through these developments in the early years, give you the ability to reflect on what you have already learned and, most importantly, what you still need to learn. Taking charge of your own development as a musician enables you to work more independently in the later years and provides an employability skill set vital to your continuing professional life.
Placements
There are variety of extracurricular schemes that take students out of the Conservatoire and into the professional world. Numerous professional engagements for students are administered through the Conservatoire’s Book a Musician service, which provides direct experience of paid professional work.
We also run a number of placement schemes. These include long-running schemes with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), the Orchestra of the Swan, and the Welsh National Opera where students participate actively or as observers; a collaboration with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG) which gives composition students the opportunity to have their music played by experienced professionals who also give feedback; and many other partnerships with organisations including:
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BBC Radio 3
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Welsh National Opera
- Arco Project
- Leamington Festival
- THSH
- Birmingham Cathedral
- St Chads
- Birmingham Opera Company
- Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra
- Dudley Arts
- Heartlands Hospital
- Birmingham Music Service
- Birmingham Royal Ballet
- Jazzlines
- Town Hall Symphony Hall
and for pedagogy/education specific projects:
- Music in Hospitals and Care
- Air Arts, Derby Royal Hospital
- Birmingham Children's Hospital
- Elmhurst Ballet School
- Services for Education Music Service
- Sandwell Music Service
- Warwick School
- Calthorpe Academy
- In Harmony
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
BCU Graduate+
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
More about Graduate+
Graduate jobs
The typical career for a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire is a portfolio career. You will combine freelance composition or performing as a soloist and/or as part of an ensemble or orchestra with other sources of income as a self-employed musician, typically in areas such as teaching, arts administration, community music, music retail, and music arranging and transcription services.
This is a particularly common path taken in the first few years after graduation, although as time goes by.
Where our students go
Many of our student go on to be musicians, often with varied portfolio careers as detailed above. Another popular destination is music teaching, and other professional roles in the education sector such as working with local Music Services.
Jack McNeill, graduate
"Royal Birmingham Conservatoire was a great place to learn from inspiring tutors, not just in playing my instrument, but also on what it means to be a musician in the wider sense. I made some fantastic professional connections there and it was the springboard for what is turning out to be a kaleidoscope of professional experiences."
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations for international students.
The first-class experience offered by universities are reflected in the world’s largest survey of international students. International students are more likely to recommend the UK than any other leading English-language study destination.
Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC)
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
Popular home countries
Our students come from around the world but our music honours course is most popular with international students from:
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s £57 million music building opened in September 2017, and is located on Birmingham City University’s City Centre Campus in the Eastside ‘learning quarter’ of the city.
This brand new music facility include five public performance venues – a 500 seat Concert Hall, 150 seat Recital Hall, Organ Studio, Eastside Jazz Club and the experimental black box performance venue known as The Lab. As well as these stunning performance venues, we have nearly 100 practice spaces; including 70 small practice rooms and larger ensemble rooms and workshops.
Our new home is the first conservatoire built in the digital age, and as such it has been vital to ensure that the technical infrastructure installed is on par with any advanced commercial facility. We have seven recording studios, a mastering suite, a distance learning hub, and all of our performance venues feature high specification audio-visual equipment that enables interconnectivity and advanced functionality throughout the building.
These impressive modern facilities guarantee that we are excel in our unique dual purpose of providing the highest standard of music education deserved by our students, as well as meeting our role as a concert and performance venue for the people of Birmingham; taking our place in the vibrant cultural landscape of the UK’s second city.
Our staff
Our Principal, Julian Lloyd-Webber, is an internationally-acclaimed cellist who brings to his role both his wealth of musical experience and a detailed knowledge of the music profession.
The Heads of Department and their assistants at the Conservatoire are all highly-experienced and respected performers and composers in their own right, who use their expertise to provide engaging and challenging programmes for their students. The wider academic team comprises equally experienced and respected musicologists, whose knowledge and understanding of music complements the practical and creative work being pursued in each of the departments.
Dr Janet K Halfyard
Director of Studies (Undergraduate)
Dr Janet K. Halfyard is Director of Undergraduate Studies at Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University,where she teaches courses on film and TV music, and on twentieth century and contemporary music. Her publications include Danny Elfman’s Batman: a film score guide (Scarecrow Press, 2004), Music in Cult TV (IB Tauris, 2016) and the edited collections Music, Sound and Silence in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Ashgate, 2010) and Music in Fantasy Cinema (Equinox, 2012) as well as numerous essays in collections and journals on film and television music. She has also published on extended vocal technique (which she performs as well as researches) and edited a collection of essays on Berio’s Sequenzas (Ashgate, 2007).