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Performance - MMus / PgCert / PgDip

Currently viewing course to start in 2026/27 Entry.

The principal aim of our Master of Music (MMus) course is to provide you with knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in your chosen branch(es) of the music profession, giving you a head-start in addressing the challenges involved in becoming a professional musician....

  • Level Postgraduate Taught
  • Study mode Full Time/Part Time

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

The principal aim of our Master of Music (MMus) course is to provide you with knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in your chosen branch(es) of the music profession, giving you a head-start in addressing the challenges involved in becoming a professional musician.

The course is suitable for both recent graduates and suitably qualified mature students, with a range of support to ensure that you leave Royal Birmingham Conservatoire ready to pursue a musical career.

A distinctive feature of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s postgraduate provision is that it will give you the opportunity to make choices within your course directly relevant to your future career aspirations, both within your Principal Study area and in your supporting studies. All MMus and PgDip routes include a core Career Development module designed to get you thinking about your future professional plans, and a broad menu of optional Professional Development modules designed to help you work towards achieving your personal career aspirations. You will also take a core module designed to develop your skills as a researcher or informed practitioner.

You will have the opportunity to study in one of several Principal Study areas, most of which are also offered at PgDip or PgCert level.

We also offer the opportunity to study for an MMus via our 12-month route. To be eligible for this route, applicants must be able to show evidence of an extremely high level of achievement in the Principal Study area and a strong academic record at undergraduate level (or equivalent). If you are interested in the 12-month route, please email an initial enquiry about your potential eligibility to conservatoire.admissions@bcu.ac.uk, as it is not possible to apply for this route via UCAS.

Performance pathways

Instrumental Performance (MMus, PgDip, PgCert)

This specialism prepares you for a solo, chamber or orchestral career. It is available to students pursuing orchestral instruments, keyboard instruments and other solo instruments such as recorder, guitar, and saxophone, with a route also offered for bowed string and guitar ensembles. We also welcome instrumentalists and singers who are developing fusions of folk music with other genres, students wishing to focus on song writing, and woodwind players who do not wish to follow the traditional orchestral route but would prefer to pursue a career as a multi-instrumentalist in musical theatre.

Read more about our instrumental departments:

Vocal Performance (MMus, PgDip, PgCert)

This route offers advanced-level training in singing. You're encouraged and enabled to increase your experience as a performer and to broaden your repertoire, though you can also take the opportunity to specialise if you wish. You'll enjoy regular opportunities to sing in a variety of contexts, both as a soloist and in ensembles with other performers. Read more about Vocal Performance.

Orchestral Performance (Strings) (MMus, PgDip)

Developed in partnership with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), this route is for advanced level string players considering professional orchestral auditions and on the brink of a professional career. You will spend a significant amount of rehearsal time in the CBSO alongside one or more dedicated host players who will act as mentors. You may also be offered opportunities to play at the back of the section to gain further experience. In addition to developing your technical facility, musicianship, interpretative skills, and stylistic awareness, you will expand your knowledge of orchestral repertoire, learn how to prepare for rehearsal in the most efficient way, develop strategies which will help you to integrate within your section, and build confidence in preparing for orchestral auditions. Read more about our Strings department.

Please note, there will be a maximum of one Orchestral Performance student in each CBSO string section in any given year, so please email Conservatoire.Admissions@bcu.ac.uk to check availability of places before applying.

Jazz (MMus, PgDip, PgCert)

Designed for recent graduates and suitably qualified mature students, these programmes provide high quality advanced-level tuition, enabling you to specialise either as a Jazz performer or instigator. You will benefit from regular individual specialist tuition from professional jazz musicians active on today’s scene. There will be an emphasis on the art of improvisation as well as regular opportunities to rehearse and perform with small and large jazz ensembles.

Read more about Jazz

What's covered in this course?

  • Regular individual tuition in your Principal Study area from leading UK and internationally renowned performers, practitioners, teachers, and researchers.
  • Bespoke support classes in musicianship and repertoire.
  • The opportunity to participate in a wide variety of creative projects, including interdisciplinary collaborations.
  • Frequent opportunities to perform, both within Departmental activities and in concerts.
  • Access to forums, seminars and masterclasses with distinguished visiting artists, composers, and performers.
  • Access to the Conservatoire’s broad range of ensemble activities, including chamber music, operatic productions, Brass Band, Wind Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, ‘Repertoire’ and ‘Pops’ Orchestras, Thallein (Contemporary Music) Ensemble, and the Folk Ensemble.
  • The opportunity to tailor your course to your individual needs through wide-ranging Professional Development modules.
  • A chance to network with leading professionals from around the world.

I had a wonderful time on the course – it was intense but also very fulfilling. I felt my singing came on enormously with teachers and coaches who nurtured and challenged me, and performances that really moved me forward. I also enjoyed the variety of academic modules to choose from, which were all well taught and supported and felt relevant to my practice.

Katie Gilbert, Soprano

Edward-Leung-piano

I would not be where I am today in my career without the support of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. I benefitted immensely from my Principal Study tutor, but I also had the opportunity to work with tutors from the Strings and Vocal departments for chamber music and lieder coaching. I believe the openness and collaborative atmosphere is what makes the Conservatoire unique. I have also had many high-profile performance opportunities throughout the United Kingdom, thus broadening my professional network and setting up my performance career.

Edward Leung, piano

Open Day

Join us on campus where you'll be able to explore our facilities and accommodation in person, and chat to staff and students from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Next Open Day: 12 June 2025

Book your place

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

UK students should normally hold an honours degree, ideally but not necessarily in Music.

Non-UK students should hold a Bachelor's degree or a similar degree-equivalent diploma, ideally but not necessarily in Music.

Applicants for most Principal Study areas will be auditioned live, but some will require you to submit a portfolio in addition to or instead of a live audition/interview. For full audition requirements and audition advice, please visit the Music Auditions section of the Conservatoire website.

Applying with international qualifications

See below for further information on applying as an international student.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MMus

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Instrumental Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgCert

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Instrumental Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • £2147 per 20 credits
  • Year 1 - 60 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

Award: PgDip

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Instrumental Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • £2147 per 20 credits
  • Year 1 - 60 credits
  • Year 2 - 60 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

Award: MMus

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Jazz

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgCert

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Jazz

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • £2147 per 20 credits
  • Year 1 - 60 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

Award: PgDip

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Jazz

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • £2147 per 20 credits
  • Year 1 - 60 credits
  • Year 2 - 60 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

Award: MMus

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Orchestral Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgDip

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Orchestral Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • £2147 per 20 credits
  • Year 1 - 60 credits
  • Year 2 - 60 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

Award: MMus

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Vocal Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgCert

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Vocal Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • £2147 per 20 credits
  • Year 1 - 60 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

Award: PgDip

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Vocal Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • £2147 per 20 credits
  • Year 1 - 60 credits
  • Year 2 - 60 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MMus

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Instrumental Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgDip

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Instrumental Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: MMus

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Jazz

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgDip

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Jazz

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: MMus

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Orchestral Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgDip

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Orchestral Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: MMus

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Vocal Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgDip

Starting: Sep 2026

Pathway: Vocal Performance

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

An intensive 12-month MMus route may be proposed by an audition panel for any candidates who demonstrate an exceptional level of achievement in their audition and who can provide evidence of a consistently strong previous academic record. It is not possible to apply for direct entry to this intensive programme.

Completing your application

Further information on writing your personal statement can be found on the UCAS Conservatoires website.

Course in Depth

PG Cert

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete one of the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):

PG Dip

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete TWO CORE modules (totalling 80 credits):

  • The Career Development module (20 credits), and
  • Principal Study 1 module (60 credits, chosen according to the specialism – see below).

You must complete one of the Principal Study modules below (Principal Study areas chosen will be dependent upon the specialist pathway chosen by the student):

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.

MMus

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete THREE CORE modules (totalling 140 credits):

  • The Career Development module (20 credits), and
  • Both Principal Study 1 and 2 modules (each 60 credits, chosen according to the specialism – see below).

You must complete one of the Principal Study modules below (Principal Study areas chosen will be dependent upon the specialist pathway chosen by the student):

You must complete one of the Principal Study modules below (Principal Study areas chosen will be dependent upon the specialist pathway chosen by the student):

In order to complete this course, a student must successfully complete at least 100 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:

  • THREE Professional Development modules (20 credits each), and

  • ONE MMus optional module (40 credits)

Principal Study Project modules

The content of these modules varies according to the instrument. As the exit point for PgCert and PgDip, Principal Study Project 1 modules are generally more prescriptive than Principal Study Project 2 modules (MMus only); however, both allow scope for you to explore repertoire of your own choice and to develop a specialist area if you wish.

The possibilities are too numerous to list here, but, for example, pianists may elect to combine solo and collaborative piano, or to specialise in one of the other; orchestral instrumentalists have the opportunity to focus on orchestral preparation; and there are opportunities for students to concentrate on a particular repertory (e.g. contemporary). More details are available upon request.

Preparation for the Principal Study Project modules is supported by individual specialist tuition, as well as by departmental activities throughout the course.

Professional development options

These are listed above, together with brief descriptions (Note: not all may run every year). They are designed to cover a range of areas of activity, enabling students to focus on areas directly relevant to their interests and their predicted future professional needs.

Employability

At Royal Birmingham Conservatoire we provide a friendly and supportive environment in which you can pursue your postgraduate studies. This is a time when you need to think particularly carefully and strategically about the direction of your developing career as a musician. We therefore encourage you to be ambitious in pursuing your aspirations, and endeavour to provide you with the flexibility to mould your course to your individual needs, both with your Principal Study area and in complementary modules.

We work with you to develop your portfolio whilst you are studying with us and proactive students are able to gain significant experience and built contacts externally.

On our Performance pathway you will forge important links with industry professionals through extensive performance opportunities. You will develop a wide range of musical, practical and business skills in order to launch or enhance your career.

Whether you are an orchestral, brass band or theatre musician, an opera or choral singer, an English folk fiddle player with an undergraduate degree, or a self-taught djembe player, our Performance pathways aim to equip you with essential skills.  You will be able to choose from a wide range of Professional Development modules in areas such as performing, composing, recording and teaching to underpin and enhance your Performance specialism. The course will form a bridge between your studies and the professional music world, giving you the edge in this vibrant but competitive area of music.

The MMus is also designed to be able to prepare students for doctoral studies.

Facilities & Staff

RBC concert hall

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 state-of-the-art music facility includes five public performance venues – a 440-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 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 able to 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.

For further staff information please visit the relevant department page for your specialist area of study: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/music/departments

Our staff

Dr Luan Shaw

Associate Professor (Music Education), Director of Postgraduate Studies (Music), and Associate Head of Junior Conservatoire

Dr Luan Shaw is Associate Professor (Music Education) and Director of Postgraduate Studies (Music) at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire where she has taught since 2011.  She is also Associate Head of the Junior Department and leads Pedagogy provision across BMus 4 and postgraduate courses. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education...

More about Luan

Dr Siân Derry

Assistant Director of Postgraduate Studies (MA Musicology Course Director, Professional Performance - AdvPgDip Course Director)

Siân Derry is a Senior Lecturer in Music, and Assistant Director of Postgraduate Studies (MA Musicology Course Director, Professional Performance - AdvPgDip Course Director) at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. She joined the Conservatoire in 2015, having previously taught at the University of Manchester. Siân completed her BMus Hons degree...

More about Siân

Beetung Goo

Assistant Director of Postgraduate Studies (Director of International Student Support Programme)

Beetung is a Teaching Fellow at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. She joined the staff as International Student Mentor in 2014, soon after completing her master’s degree here. The learning experience of international students is central to Beetung’s work: she has developed Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s International Student Support Programme,...

More about Beetung