Program Overview

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Introduction to the BMus Program

The BMus (Hons) degree at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is designed to help students realize their potential and prepare them for a career in the music profession. The program focuses on practice-based learning and international opportunities, providing students with a comprehensive education in music.

Program Structure

The BMus program is a four-year, full-time course that includes a range of modules and activities designed to develop students' specialist musical skills, as well as their theoretical, historical, and practice-based knowledge. The program is divided into four years, with each year building on the previous one to provide a progressive and cohesive education.

Year One

In the first year, students will study a range of core modules, including:

• Principal Study: Performance 1 (60 credits)
• Principal Study: Percussion 1 (60 credits)
• Principal Study: Composition 1 (60 credits)
• Principal Study: Music Technology 1 (60 credits)
• Language of Music 1 (20 credits)
• Contextual Studies: Performance Traditions 1 (20 credits)
• Professional Portfolio 1: Community Engagement (20 credits)

Year Two

In the second year, students will continue to develop their skills and knowledge, studying modules such as:

• Principal Study: Performance 2 (60 credits)
• Principal Study: Percussion 2 (60 credits)
• Principal Study: Composition 2 (60 credits)
• Principal Study: Music Technology 2 (60 credits)
• Language of Music 2 (20 credits)
• Contextual Studies: Performance Traditions 2 (20 credits)
• Professional Portfolio 2: Pedagogy and Practice (20 credits)

Year Three

In the third year, students will have the opportunity to specialize in their studies, choosing from a range of optional modules, including:

• Principal Study: Performance 3 (60 credits)
• Principal Study: Percussion 3 (60 credits)
• Principal Study: Composition 3 (60 credits)
• Principal Study: Music Technology 3 (60 credits)
• Language of Music: Specialism 1 (20 credits)
• Contextual Studies: Specialism 1 (20 credits)
• Collaborative Practice (20 credits)
• Live Project (20 credits)
• Work Placement (20 credits)

Year Four

In the final year, students will design their own curriculum based on their career aspirations, studying modules such as:

• Final Recital (40 or 60 credits)
• Final Composition Portfolio (40 or 60 credits)
• Final Music Technology Portfolio (40 or 60 credits)
• Final Project (20, 40, or 60 credits)
• Further Pedagogy (20 credits)
• Music, Community and Wellbeing (20 credits)
• Language of Music: Specialisms 2 (20 credits)
• Contextual Studies: Specialisms 2 (20 credits)
• Professional Development (20 credits)
• Work Placement (20 credits)

Employability

The BMus program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge required for a successful career in the music profession. The program includes a range of activities and modules designed to enhance employability, such as:

• Professional development modules
• Pedagogy and practice modules
• Collaborative practice modules
• Live projects and work placements
• Opportunities for extracurricular schemes and professional engagements

Facilities and Staff

The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has a range of state-of-the-art facilities, including:

• The 440-seat Bradshaw Concert Hall
• The smaller Recital Hall
• The black-box performance space known as The Lab
• The Eastside Jazz Club
• Seven recording studios and editing and mastering suites
• Over 70 practice rooms, ensemble rooms, and teaching workshops

The Conservatoire also has a team of highly qualified and experienced staff, including professional musicians and educators who are dedicated to supporting and developing the potential of each student.

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for the BMus program, applicants must meet the following admission criteria:

• 32 UCAS Tariff points
• Audition requirements (see below)
• GCSE and other level 2 requirements (not applicable for this course)
• A Level, BTEC, and other level 3 requirements (see below)

Audition Requirements

Applicants will be required to demonstrate general musical knowledge and musicianship skills, including harmony and aural. Audition requirements differ per instrument/specialism applied for.

A Level, BTEC, and Other Level 3 Requirements

The following qualifications are accepted:

• A Level: 32 UCAS Tariff points (EE or equivalent)
• AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels
• Pearson BTEC (Diploma/Extended Diploma/Extended Certificate): 32 UCAS Tariff points
• T Level: Pass overall (E or above on the core)
• Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3
• OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 32 UCAS Tariff points
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 32 UCAS Tariff points
• WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 32 UCAS Tariff points
• Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 32 UCAS Tariff points
• Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher: 32 UCAS Tariff points
• Welsh Baccalaureate: 32 UCAS Tariff points
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Pass overall
• Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media): Pass overall

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the BMus program are as follows:

• UK students: Ł9,790 per year (2026/27)
• International students: Ł28,460 per year (2026/27)

Conclusion

The BMus program at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is a comprehensive and progressive education in music, designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge required for a successful career in the music profession. With its range of modules and activities, state-of-the-art facilities, and highly qualified staff, the Conservatoire is an ideal place for students to develop their musical talents and achieve their career aspirations.