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Professional Performance - AdvPgDip (post-Masters level 8)

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

Support your developing career as a professional performer with Royal Birmingham Conservatoire's post-Masters, Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Performance. You can choose one of seven specialisms: Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, Collaborative Piano, Organ Performance, Chamber Music Performance, Opera Repetiteurship or Choral Conducting....

  • Award AdvPgDip (post-Masters level 8)
  • Start date September 2025
  • Fees View course fees
  • School Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
  • Faculty Faculty of Arts, Design and Media

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

Support your developing career as a professional performer with Royal Birmingham Conservatoire's post-Masters, Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Performance. You can choose one of seven specialisms: Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, Collaborative Piano, Organ Performance, Chamber Music Performance, Opera Repetiteurship or Choral Conducting.

Our Advanced Postgraduate Diploma (APD) is at 'post-masters level' and is ideal for you if you are an advanced postgraduate performer who already has a Masters degree and are beginning to accept professional engagements. The course will help you to raise your performance standards to the next level, with highly specialised one-to-one tuition in the department most relevant to your specialism.  You can study full-time over 12 months (September-September) or part-time (2 years).

Balance your study with professional experience

The Professional Performance APD allows you to take on performance engagements both within and outside Royal Birmingham Conservatoire as part of your course.   Assessment focuses on your work in professional contexts, via a Professional Performance Portfolio module and a choice of External Engagement and Professional Project modules.   We also provide a Career Management and Self-Promotion module designed to help you deal with those niggling, but vital, non-performance aspects of your professional career.

If you're a home or EU student you have the option to study part-time, which allows you to take the course alongside your already-developing career. Assessment focuses on your work in professional contexts, both within the Conservatoire and externally, and we also provide a Career Management and Self-Promotion module designed to help you deal with those niggling, but vital, non-performance aspects of your professional career.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

  • Develops your already advanced skills with high-quality tuition and professional performance opportunities.
  • Leads to a practical and performance-focused post-masters level qualification (Level 8).
  • Helps support and advance your career as a professional musician or performer.
  • Gives you access to specialist, experienced tutors.
  • Provides numerous performance opportunities at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, including ensembles, coaching workshops and masterclasses.
  • Makes use of our excellent links with organisations such as City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG), Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Bach Choir, Ex Cathedra, Opera North, Welsh National Opera, and Orchestra of the Swan via our professional schemes.
  • Enables you to be part of a small cohort of colleagues who are also at the high, professional standard required to be admitted to this course, which is limited to a small number of students per year.

For further information about auditions, visit the Entry Requirements tab.

Why Choose Us?

  • At Royal Birmingham Conservatoire we provide a friendly and supportive environment in which you can pursue your studies. This is a time when you need to think particularly carefully and strategically about the direction of your professional career. We therefore offer a range of specialist support mechanisms, in principal study areas and in career management, which are designed to provide you with the experience, skills, and knowledge required of a 21st century artist.

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Next Open Day: 5 December 2024

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Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

Academic and other requirements

A postgraduate qualification (preferably Masters level), normally (but not necessarily) specialising in performance and/or substantial, verifiable public performance experience at a professional level

You will need to demonstrate that you're able to perform at a professional level and should submit a biography and list of performances at the time of application.

You will need to demonstrate an awareness of what is required of the performer wishing to forge a successful professional career in the 21st century, and an open mind about developing your own portfolio of relevant skills and experiences, making clear your rationale for further study.

For full details, audition requirements and audition advice, please visit the Music Auditions section of the Conservatoire website.

APD auditions

There will be two rounds of auditions. Applicants must pass the pre-screening round in order to proceed to live auditions.

Live auditions will be scheduled in the main audition period in November.

Pre-Screening Materials

All applicants are required to submit pre-screening materials for consideration by the audition panel. These should be submitted to us at conservatoire.admissions@bcu.ac.uk for UK applicants and conservatoire.international@bcu.ac.uk for overseas applicants and include:

  • A full list of public performances given over the past 24 months, clearly indicating dates, venues and repertoire performed.
  • A current biography (of the kind that would appear in a concert/operatic production programme).
  • Video recordings, the specific details of which are outlined below. Individual works may be provided as separate recordings but multi-movement works should be recorded in one take.

Your application will not be considered by the audition panel until they have received the pre-screening materials listed above.

Instrumental Performance

Instrumentalists should prepare a programme of 40 minutes. Your programme should include a major work and incorporate a variety of periods and styles.

Vocal Performance

Singers should prepare a programme of 40 minutes. Your programme should include music from works in at least three European languages, including English.

Organ Performance

Organists should prepare a programme of 40 minutes. Your programme should include a major work and incorporate a variety of periods and styles.

Collaborative Piano Performance

Collaborative pianists should prepare a programme of 40 minutes. Your programme may include a solo work of no more than 5 minutes, and the remainder should include either vocal repertoire, for example, German Lied, French mélodie or English song; or instrumental repertoire, for example a movement from a major duo-sonata or larger chamber work (strings and/or wind). Alternatively, a combination of the above may be presented.

Chamber Music Performance (established ensembles only) 

Ensembles should prepare a programme of 40 minutes. Your programme should include three or four pieces/movements comprising a variety of periods and styles.

Opera Repetiteurship

Repetiteurs should prepare a short operatic extract lasting between 10-15 minutes. Candidates must play and sing in the vocal lines. The extract must contain at least two characters and be in a language other than English. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of characterisation and dramatic context.

Choral Conducting

Choral Conductors are required to submit a Portfolio comprising the following items:

  • Sample video recordings (where possible) that feature you as conductor in rehearsal (amounting to a maximum of 30 minutes)
    • Videos may feature an ensemble of any size to include chamber-sized groups of a minimum of four musicians.
    • The camera should ideally be focused on you as conductor, and if possible on your musicians too.
  • A list of concerts performed/rehearsal engagements undertaken in the last two years with repertoire covered
  • A programming task: please include sample programmes for a) a lunchtime concert (50 minutes) and b) an evening concert (2 x 40 minute halves)
    • B. conductors are asked to programme a cappella or with piano or organ accompaniment only.
  • Programme note samples (for two different works drawn from the above sample programmes)
  • Concert reviews (if any)

Live auditions

Live auditions will comprise an audition and an interview with a panel, to include the Course Director, Head of Professional Development and Head of Department. Some additional requirements to those stated above are set out below:

Vocal Performance

You will also be asked to read short texts in French/German and/or Italian, and to undertake some sight-reading which will be given to you on the day of the audition.

Opera Repetiteurship

Approximately one week before the audition, you will be given an operatic excerpt (which may include accompanied recitative) to prepare in advance. In the audition, this should also be both played and sung.

Choral Conducting

In addition to the interview, conductors will be asked to undertake musicianship tests which will be sent to you in advance. These will include:

  • Unaccompanied sight singing in your preferred voice part (to be advised in advance)
  • A short passage of four-part score reading in G and F clefs on the piano
  • You will also be given a few bars of four-part harmony to read which will be played four times with two or three significant mistakes for you to recognise.
  • You will also be asked fundamental questions about score preparation and your conducting decisions based on a score which will be sent to you to prepare in advance, approximately one week before the interview. Where possible, you may be asked to conduct it (or a section of it) to the piano and/or sing a phrase or phrases to illustrate your points.

English language requirements

International Students

Entry requirements here

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: AdvPgDip (post-Masters level 8)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • £2074 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: AdvPgDip (post-Masters level 8)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Specialist equipment (mandatory)

Whilst access to large instruments, e.g. pianos, drum kits, etc is provided, it is assumed that all students will have their own "portable" instrument, e.g. saxophone, trombone, etc with them where required by their course.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Personal equipment (optional)

Musicians are expected to cover costs related to their Principal Study discipline, e.g. keeping instruments in good working order, replacing consumables such as strings and reeds. Sheet music, scores, hearing protection, and concert dress can all be considered an expectation of the music industry.

Memberships (optional)

You may wish to join a union or professional body related to this course, such as The Musician’s Union, and a student rate of £24 per year.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

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.

How to apply

Please apply through UCAS Conservatoires using the links above. Our UCAS Conservatoires Institution code is B34. See entry requirements for more information.

Completing your application

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

Course in Depth

Modules

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits):

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

Download course specification

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If you're an instrumentalist, vocalist, collaborative pianist, organist, opera repetiteur or choral conductor, you will benefit from one-to-one expert tuition with our internationally renowned tutors during the course. Chamber musicians are entitled to both individual tuition and regular coaching for their ensemble.

The three modules which make up the course (two core, one optional) are interrelated and complementary. The flexibility of content is such that you are able to tailor the programme to suit your own needs and aspirations.

Course structure

The course revolves around your individual needs, strategic goals and enthusiasms. To get the most out of it, you'll need to be highly self-motivated and able to work on your own initiative.

There is an expectation that, with the support of your course tutors, you'll take advantage of being on the course to seek out and maximise professional development opportunities which will be strategically useful to your developing career. In other words, this is not a course leading to the start of your career, but one which you take alongside it in its early stages. The principal aim is that, when you graduate, not only will your professional life be well under way, but you'll also have developed the confidence and skills to go on shaping it.

Throughout the course you'll have expert 1:1 tuition and/or coaching in your Principal Study area.

Students on this course have the opportunity to organise weekly performance classes for their cohort. You will also have access to the Conservatoire's full range of ensembles, departmental workshops, performance classes and masterclasses. As an emerging professional musician, it is hoped and expected that you'll carve a distinctive niche for yourself within your department, becoming a role model for students at earlier stages in their studies.

During the course, you will undertake two performance assessments in a professional context within the Conservatoire. For full-time students these will usually take place in terms two and three; for part-time students, one assessment will usually take place in Year 1, and the other in Year 2. You will then have the option to undertake a third professional engagement externally (via the External Engagement module) or to undertake a Professional Project in an area closely aligned to your career aspirations.

Throughout the course, your work in performance will be supported by the Career Management and Self-Promotion module. This module is focused on providing you with practical preparation for the professional world and will be supported by individual tutorials and regular workshops for the whole cohort. 

CORE: Professional Performance PortfolioCORE: Career Management and Self-PromotionOPTIONAL: Either External Engagement or Professional Project
60 credits 20 credits 40 credits

Student stories

Di Xiao

Di Xiao

This intensive and inspiring course gave me the confidence and experience that prepared me for international competitions and, ultimately, the stage. Thanks to the mentoring and encouragement of the Conservatoire's staff I went on to win first prize in the Brant International Piano Competition in the year I graduated.

In turn, that led to a European tour as the UK's 08/09 representative to the European Concert Halls Organisation "ECHO Rising Stars" series during which I gave recitals at 11 of the World's most prestigious venues. The foundation provided by the APD enabled me to build a busy international touring and recording career which has included the release of 2 CDs (a third is under production), radio appearances for the BBC and Classic FM and collaborations with some of the world’s finest artists.

Chris Orton

Since graduating with the APD course prize in 2004, Chris Orton continued to pursue joint careers as a soloist and teacher.

Jack McNeill

I found the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s APD course an invaluable addition to my education as a performer. I received fantastic tuition and was constantly encouraged to look for and take hold of opportunities beyond my studies.

Employability

This postgraduate degree will help support and advance your career as a professional musician or performer.

You'll develop your already advanced skills with high-quality, 1:1 tuition and professional performance opportunities.

International

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:

Facilities & Staff

Our staff

Dr Luan Shaw

Associate Professor (Music Education) and Director of Postgraduate Studies (Music)

Dr Luan Shaw is Associate Professor: Director of Postgraduate Studies (Music) at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire where she has taught since 2011. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and was made an Honorary Member of RBC in 2001. In her former role as RBC’s first Head of Pedagogy (2011-2018), she led the significant...

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