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Study level:
Undergraduate
Scheme:
UCAS Conservatoires

Course summary

The launch of our Eastside Jazz Club has helped consolidate the integral role that Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has to play in a major UK city that enjoys a thriving jazz scene. While Birmingham’s jazz scene has been established over many years, our bespoke venue promises an exciting future for Jazz in the city.

Our Jazz Department is based around the Club, where student musicians share a platform and get invaluable side-by-side performance experience with the best on the scene, whom we welcome to our stage on a regular basis.

This course meets with the needs of the modern jazz performer – it places emphasis on practical work, with the majority of time dedicated to one-to-one lessons, small group coaching and private practice. You'll study modules that have been specifically and skilfully designed for jazz musicians, and as part of your learning we encourage you to explore in depth the relationship between improvisation and composition, which is central to developing your individual voice. You will graduate as a versatile, professional musician who is knowledgeable about the entrepreneurial opportunities available to you, and aware of the commercial realities for musicians joining today’s UK jazz scene as a portfolio musician.

Delivered by performers, band leaders and composers who enhance their teaching with professional experience, insights and connections, the course hones both your performance and professional awareness.

With individual 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.

As well as having our own club that has taken its place on Birmingham’s vibrant jazz scene, our students enjoy professional experience opportunities with external gigs that familiarise them with the industry – for example through our partnership with Cheltenham Jazz Festival – one of many ways we prepare you for the future.

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:

Main specialism

Only one specialism is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.

Alternative single specialism

You may audition for two specialisms, with the intention of studying one instrument as a single specialism. Your audition will determine which instrument is taken as a main specialism.

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
  • Clarinet (Jazz)
  • Double Bass (Jazz)
  • Drumkit (Jazz)
  • Electric bass (jazz)
  • Flute (Jazz)
  • Guitar (Jazz)
  • Piano (Jazz)
  • Saxophone (Jazz)
  • Trombone (Jazz)
  • Trumpet (Jazz)
  • Violin (Jazz)
  • Voice (Jazz)
Secondary instrument/specialisms
  • Clarinet (Jazz)
  • Double Bass (Jazz)
  • Drumkit (Jazz)
  • Electric bass (jazz)
  • Flute (Jazz)
  • Guitar (Jazz)
  • Piano (Jazz)
  • Saxophone (Jazz)
  • Trombone (Jazz)
  • Trumpet (Jazz)
  • Violin (Jazz)
  • Voice (Jazz)

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How to apply

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
2 October

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:
310F
Institution code:
B34
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 32 points

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.

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.

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.

Scottish Higher

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

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.

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.

Scottish Advanced Higher

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

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points

Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall.

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

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

GCSE/National 4/National 5

This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications.

T Level - Pass (D or E)

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

Welsh Baccalaureate: 32 UCAS tariff points. Considered with three 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).

UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Pass overall

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

Additional entry requirements

Audition
Entry to the BMus (Hons) is by audition only. Applicants will be required to demonstrate general musical knowledge and musicianship skills, including harmony and aural. Audition requirements differ per instrument/specialism applied for.
Interview

English language requirements

IELTS Minimum overall score of 5.5 or equivalent is required in all four skills areas.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU£26195Year 1
England£9250Year 1
Northern Ireland£9250Year 1
Scotland£9250Year 1
Wales£9250Year 1
International£26195Year 1

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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