Music BMus

Work with renowned musicians, compose for leading ensembles, and learn from composers active in the world of TV, film, classical and jazz. Build your employability through specialist modules in Arts Administration, Music Therapy and Music Education alongside graduate-level placement opportunities. Whether you see your future on stage, in the classroom, or behind the scenes in arts leadership, the BMus Music programme connects you to the heart of the industry.

Our academics and researchers

Our academics and researchers explore both in and across practice-based (composition, performance) and scholarly (musicology, ethnomusicology, music psychology) areas. Their insights and contributions often feature in news articles, books, albums and soundtracks.

• Composer Dr Ryan Latimer recently featured on London Symphony Orchestra’s acclaimed new album.
• Dr Luis Manuel Garcia-Mispireta was recently awarded the 2025 Book Prize by The International Association for the Study of Popular Music for his book ‘Together, Somehow: Music, Affect, and Intimacy on the Dancefloor’.
• Dr Maria Witek uses brain-monitoring equipment to understand embodied timing and disability in DJ practice.
• Renowned jazz drummer Jonathan Silk coaches, conducts and performs with students, while also producing music with famous artists and his own jazz quartet, FORJ.

Our Music students

Our Music students embrace opportunities across the university: from making the leap to study away from home, to joining societies and getting involved in choirs, concerts, festivals and performances.

• Third-year student Louise takes you on a tour of the music facilities, practice rooms and performance spaces on campus.
• Find out what first year was like for Jennifer and what her favourite modules were.
• Do you like jazz? Toby shares his favourite spot for jazz in the city.
• Louise shares her favourite extracurriculars including the gym, basketball games and various choirs with University Music.

Life in a creative city

As the UK's second city, Birmingham is a cultural and creative hub. The birthplace of Black Sabbath, Birmingham has a rich offering of museums, theatres, concert halls, restaurants and shops. Discover our city for yourself!

• Explore Birmingham's creative quarter: Digbeth with Liv and Grace.
• Take a tour of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter with Zoe.
• Searching for cute brunch spots and high street shopping? Check out Harborne with Liv.

From concert venues like the Utilita Arena, O2 Academy and Symphony Hall, to festivals like Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival, Moseley Folk Festival and B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival, there's plenty of ways to get your music fix in Birmingham.

Department facilities

• Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music Building - featuring a pipe organ, a harp room, percussion room.
• Electroacoustic music studios, Bramall Music Building - multichannel composition/workshop studios, video facilities and recording rooms.
• University Music Hub - featuring a number of high-quality rehearsal rooms, many of which include small grand pianos, a drum kit room and a recording studio.

• Lectures: These give you an insightful, expert introduction to key topics; they also provide guidance to support your reading and assessments.
• Seminars: These are small group discussions where you share and test ideas with your academic tutor and your peers. Seminars help you understand topics better and build confidence in sharing your thoughts.

Support during your studies

At Birmingham, you’ll have plenty of support to help you adjust to university life:

• Personal Academic Tutors: You'll have a tutor assigned to you who will guide and support you throughout your studies.
• Wellbeing Officers: The Wellbeing team help with extensions, disabilities, extenuating circumstances, or any personal challenges. They’ll also connect you with further support on campus or elsewhere.
• Academic Writing Advisory Service: Tutorials, workshops and support in  structuring an argument and developing your own academic voice.
• Student Experience Team: They offer research opportunities, and cultural, intellectual and social activities to enhance your university experience.

Contact hours

Your degree is designed to help you achieve 120 credits per year, which equals about 40 hours of learning each week. This includes lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, revision, and assessments.

Assessment methods

You’ll be assessed in different ways to suit each module. At the start of a module, you’ll be told how and when you’ll be assessed. Methods will vary but may include coursework (e.g., essays), group or individual presentations and projects, exams, reports or computer-based assignments.

Feedback: You will receive timely feedback on each assessment, so you can learn from it and improve your performance in future assessments.

Performance lessons

• Year 1 (compulsory): 18 hours of tuition on one or two instruments/voice 
• Year 2 (optional): 20 hours of tuition on one or two instruments/voice – plus additional professional piano accompaniment for relevant instruments/voices
• Year 3 (optional): 20 hours Special Subject on a single instrument/voice or 10 hours Independent Study on a single instrument/voice – plus additional professional piano accompaniment for relevant instruments/voices

The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

You can apply to study abroad for a year in an approved university around the world. If you achieve a grade of 2.1 or above in your first year, you will be eligible to apply for a Year Abroad in your second year. If your application is successful, you will go abroad in your third year and return to us for your final year.

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

Number of A levels required: 3

A levels

We will also consider applications from candidates who do not meet the standard subject requirements for A Level Music, graded Theory or Performance exams on a case-by-case basis. Following your application you may be invited to an audition/interview.  Please note, grades AAB at A Level (or equivalent L3 qualification) are still required.

IB Diploma

6,6,5 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall including HL 5 in Music. Where applicants are not taking HL Music, similar alternatives as in A level option will be accepted (ABRSM/equivalent grades or an interview).

BTEC qualifications

• BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM, plus a B in A-level Music.
• BTEC Diploma: DD, plus a B in A-level Music.
• BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus a B in A-level Music.

Where applicants are not taking A level Music, similar alternatives as an A level option will be accepted (ABRSM/equivalent grades or an interview).

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

Core Maths qualification

Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.
• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015): Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in each skill
• Trinity ISE II: Not applicable
• Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill

Presessional English courses

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study, normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. The fee for September 2025 entry was £9,535 for UK students. If you are applying for 2026 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.

Undergraduate loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

• Communication
• Lateral thinking
• Creativity
• Event management
• Entrepreneurship to succeed in a competitive field
• Analytical skills
• Researching, analysing and interpreting information

Our graduates become professional musicians, pursue postgraduate study, or progress to highly successful careers. Employers include:

• City of London Sinfonia
• Faber & Faber
• City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO)
• BBC
• Purcell School of Music
• Island Records UK
• Cartwright Communications
• Royal Opera House
• Royal Academy of Music
• Education institutions
• Kings College London
• Bulkhead (game company)
• Muse Group (music notation software company)

Many take management jobs in orchestras, music venues and other arts and performance organisations. Job titles include:

• Freelance Performer and Educator
• Lecturer/Music Teacher
• Strategic Marketing Manager
• Alumni Engagement Manager
• Orchestral Librarian
• Piano Technician
• Film Composer
• Learning Programme Manager
• Marketing & Campaigns Coordinator
• Marketing and Communications Manager
• Audio Lead (Games Production)
• Software Developer (Muse Group)

Famous alumni include:

• Carolyn Sampson, Operatic Soprano
• Gabriel Prokofiev,  Composer and DJ with works performed at the Proms (Sergei was his grandfather)
• David Murray, Director of the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales
• Richard King, Managing Director of Faber Music
• Sir Edward Downes, Conductor

Our Music students have gone on to secure roles such as Head of Music, Music Therapist, Music Director, Screenwriter and Producer, working for organisations such as:

• BBC
• Royal Shakespeare Company
• London Contemporary Orchestra
• Ministry of Education (Singapore)

The University has commissioned Cturtle as our data partner for tracking our alumni destinations. The data above is a subset from 43,666 alumni who completed their course up to 31 July 2024.

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

Flexible programmes to suit you

Not sure what you want to study?

Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.