Music: University of Birmingham

Degree: BMus
Address: Music Department, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Duration: 3 years
Telephone: +44 (0)121 414 5782
Fax: +44 (0) 121 414 5668
E-mail
Website: http://www.music.bham.ac.uk

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If you come to Birmingham to study music you will be taught musicology (music as an academic discipline), performance and composition. You will have access to outstanding facilities and benefit from a rich tradition of music-making.

Their facilities include practice rooms, electro-acoustic music studios, early instruments, computer workstations and the Barber Institute Concert Hall and Library. Our musical traditions include the University Music Society’s choirs, orchestras (including two symphony orchestras) and jazz, wind and brass bands; the Barber operas and international concert series; the students’ own summer festival; our New Music Ensemble; and the annual Birmingham Early Music Festival.

Their links with the city and its rich musical culture include instrumental lessons for all their students at the Birmingham Conservatoire; the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group as ensemble in association; University concerts held in the internationally acclaimed Symphony Hall; and access to open rehearsals from the likes of Thomas Adès, Sakari Oramo and Sir Simon Rattle. Instrumental and vocal lessons may also be taken through the Centre for Early Music Performance and Research.

First year

You study Historical Musicology, Instrumental/Vocal Performance and Composition (both paper and studio) as foundation courses. Everyone participates in ensemble performance, and you are encouraged (though not required) to choose a modern language as a module outside the main discipline.

Second year

In this year you have a very wide choice of optional modules, ranging from aspects of western art music, through to modules such as Sound Recording, Early Music Ensemble Performance, Film Music and Celtic Music. Individual Performance (including fully funded instrumental lessons) and a Music History course continue as core modules for Single Honours students.

Third year

While taking more of the optional modules, you can specialise in solo performance by giving a recital, in composition by preparing a portfolio, or in musicology by writing a dissertation, or in any two of these.

Teaching and assessment

The programme is delivered by a mixture of tutorial, lecture and small group (seminar) teaching. Performance lessons are of course given on a one-to-one basis, as are third-year dissertation and composition tutorials. Most courses are assessed by essay, examinations or practical work (or a combination of those methods). Full details can be found at www.music.bham.ac.uk

Career opportunities

Their degrees offer a general grounding in music and unmatched scope for developing special interests and fulfilling individual potential. As well as preparing you for a career in music, they enable you to develop transferable skills that will be of value in many other employment fields.

Entry requirements

Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: AAB
Required subjects: A level Music grade A; Music Technology is accepted but not as a substitute for Music A level
General Studies: accepted
International Baccalaureate Diploma: 36 points including Music at HL

Other qualifications are considered – see the entry requirements section for full details

Additional information

Keyboard to at least ABRSM Grade VI is useful but not essential (candidates without this will not be disadvantaged)

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