Conducting - PgDip / MMus

Program Overview

Conducting - PgDip / MMus

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.

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.

Applying with international qualifications

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

English language requirements

• IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band, or equivalent.

Fees & How to Apply

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.
• Award: PgDip
  • Starting: Sep 2026
  • Pathway: Brass Band Conducting
  • Mode: Full Time
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Fees: £12,880 in 2026/27
  • Apply via UCAS
• Award: MMus
  • Starting: Sep 2026
  • Pathway: Brass Brand Conducting
  • Mode: Full Time
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Fees: £12,880 in 2026/27
  • Apply via UCAS

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.
• Award: PgDip
  • Starting: Sep 2026
  • Pathway: Brass Band Conducting
  • Mode: Full Time
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Fees: £28,460 in 2026/27
  • Apply via UCAS
• Award: MMus
  • Starting: Sep 2026
  • Pathway: Brass Brand Conducting
  • Mode: Full Time
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Fees: £28,460 in 2026/27
  • Apply via UCAS

Course in Depth

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).

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).

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.

Facilities & Staff

Our staff

• Dr Chris Marshall
  • Associate Professor in Professional Development
  • Dr Chris Marshall is Associate Professor in Professional Development at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, helping students plan their futures, untangling the business of music and preparing for successful portfolio careers.
• Daniele Rosina
  • Orchestral Conducting
  • Daniele Rosina is a UK-based conductor who has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious music festivals including the Beijing Modern Music Festival, Cheltenham Music Festival and the BBC Proms.
• Mr Julian Wilkins
  • Director of RBC Chamber Choir and RBC Camerata, and Visiting Lecturer in Choral Conducting
  • Julian Wilkins is a versatile, dynamic and inspiring conductor, organist and pianist, working throughout the UK and overseas with prestigious musical organisations including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) and its choruses, BBC Philharmonic, Orchestra of the Swan, Mozart Festival Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra, Manchester...
• Ian Porthouse
  • Director of Brass Band Studies & Cornet Tutor
  • Ian Porthouse began his musical career aged nine with Flimby Saxhorn Silver Band and he was a founder member of the Cumbria Youth Brass Band.
• 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.