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BMus (Hons) Performance

Course details
  • Bachelor of Music (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site
Course scheme
UCAS Conservatoires
Awarded by:
Birmingham City University

Course summary

Specialise in Performance (vocal or instrumental) at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. We have invested £57 million in our innovative state-of-the-art music facilities with the aim of creating impressive functional spaces that combine tradition with cutting-edge technology.

The focus of our undergraduate Performance course is to help you realise your potential and become the best musician that you can be; with the support of an encouraging creative environment, we help you achieve the extraordinary.

Featuring specialist tuition throughout all four years of the course, you will get the individual attention you need to prepare for a successful career in the music profession. Additional activities are provided to help support your studies and develop your skills in complementary areas such as playing on historical instruments, performance coaching and Alexander technique.

You will have opportunities to perform in our five public performance venues, including our stunning 500-seat Bradshaw Hall, and make use of our seven industry-standard recording studios, and many acoustically designed rehearsal and practice rooms. Each year you will have more choice and opportunities to specialise in your studies. In your final year, you will work towards a final project relevant to your own professional aspirations.

Course details

Principal study options

During the application and audition process, you must select which instrument(s) you wish to specialise in for the duration of your course. On this course, you can choose from the following options:

Instrument/specialisms

For all courses, you must select at least one specialism from the 'primary' list. For those studying primary/secondary pathways, two instruments may be selected – one from the 'primary' list and one from the 'secondary' list. Joint pathway students may select any two instruments from either list.

Primary instrument/specialism
  • Bassoon
  • Bassoon (Historical Performance)
  • Cello
  • Cello (Historical Performance)
  • Clarinet
  • Clarinet (Theatre doubling)
  • Cornet
  • Double Bass
  • Euphonium
  • Flugelhorn
  • Flute
  • Flute (Historical Performance)
  • Flute (Theatre doubling)
  • Fortepiano (Historical)
  • Guitar (Classical)
  • Harp
  • Harpsichord
  • Horn (Baritone)
  • Horn (French)
  • Horn (Tenor)
  • Lute/Theorbo
  • Oboe
  • Oboe (Historical Performance)
  • Organ
  • Percussion
  • Piano
  • Recorder
  • Saxophone
  • Saxophone (Theatre doubling)
  • Trombone (Bass)
  • Trombone (Tenor)
  • Trumpet
  • Tuba
  • Viola
  • Viola (Historical Performance)
  • Viola da Gamba
  • Violin
  • Violin (Historical Performance)
  • Voice (Baritone)
  • Voice (Bass)
  • Voice (Bass-Baritone)
  • Voice (Counter-Tenor)
  • Voice (Mezzo-Soprano)
  • Voice (Soprano)
  • Voice (Tenor)
Secondary instrument/specialisms
  • Bassoon
  • Bassoon (Historical Performance)
  • Cello
  • Cello (Historical Performance)
  • Clarinet
  • Clarinet (Theatre doubling)
  • Cornet
  • Double Bass
  • Euphonium
  • Flugelhorn
  • Flute
  • Flute (Historical Performance)
  • Flute (Theatre doubling)
  • Fortepiano (Historical)
  • Guitar (Classical)
  • Harp
  • Harpsichord
  • Horn (Baritone)
  • Horn (French)
  • Horn (Tenor)
  • Lute/Theorbo
  • Oboe
  • Oboe (Historical Performance)
  • Organ
  • Percussion
  • Piano
  • Recorder
  • Saxophone
  • Saxophone (Theatre doubling)
  • Trombone (Bass)
  • Trombone (Tenor)
  • Trumpet
  • Tuba
  • Viola
  • Viola (Historical Performance)
  • Viola da Gamba
  • Violin
  • Violin (Historical Performance)
  • Voice (Baritone)
  • Voice (Bass)
  • Voice (Bass-Baritone)
  • Voice (Counter-Tenor)
  • Voice (Mezzo-Soprano)
  • Voice (Soprano)
  • Voice (Tenor)

How to apply

This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
  • Republic of Ireland does not have vacancies
  • International does not have vacancies
  • EU does not have vacancies
  • United Kingdom does not have vacancies
If you are an international applicant, or you are applying for a postgraduate course, or are choosing certain assessment locations, the 'on time' deadline may be later in the year - please contact the conservatoire directly.

Apply by
1 October 2026

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
300F
Institution code:
B34
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A Level EE

A Level: 32 UCAS Tariff points / EE (or equivalent). AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels. A maximum of three subjects will be considered

T Level

Pass overall (E or above on the core). All subjects accepted.

UCAS Tariff 32

Scottish Higher

32 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)

Access to HE Diploma

Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3. Accepted subjects: Arts, Media and Publishing subjects preferred but other subjects also considered

GCSE/National 4/National 5

This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications. Please see A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements

Scottish Advanced Higher

Achieve a minimum of 32 tariff points achieved in either three Advanced Highers or from a combination of two Advanced Highers plus two Highers.

Where three Advanced Highers have been taken achieve a minimum of grades DDD

• Where a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers have been taken you must achieve (grades of DD in two Advanced Highers plus grades of DD in two Highers).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

32 UCAS Tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

32 UCAS Tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

Minimum of 32 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

32 UCAS Tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications

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. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s).

Welsh Baccalaureate: 32 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.

UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Pass overall

Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media): Pass overall

Additional entry requirements

Audition
Interview
Institutions Own Test (IOT)
Institutions Own Test. For applicants who audition in the UK. Candidates will be required to demonstrate general musical knowledge and musicianship skills, including harmony and aural.
Institutions Own Test (IOT)
Music Test. For applicants who audition in the UK. Candidates will be required to demonstrate general musical knowledge and musicianship skills, including harmony and aural.

English language requirements

Assessment locations

In the event of a successful assessment, applicants may be invited for a further interview prior to being made an offer.

Remote assessment recordings may be accepted in the event that you cannot attend an assessment in person.

Single specialism assessment

LocationOn-time Fee
China (Mainland) Performers only /local feeFee Not Known
Virtual AuditionNot available at this location
Royal Birmingham ConservatoireNot available at this location

*Fee not collected by UCAS

Joint principal specialism assessment

LocationOn-time Fee
China (Mainland) Performers only /local feeFee Not Known
Virtual AuditionNot available at this location
Royal Birmingham ConservatoireNot available at this location

*Fee not collected by UCAS

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & EU£9250

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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