Music (with Performance): Performance pathwayMA

Gain all the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you’ll need to perform at an advanced level. Get ready to pursue your passion for playing music as a profession as we nurture your musical development.

Course structure

The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.

You'll develop and refine your skills as a performing musician through expert individual tuition and performance classes, seminars, and tutorials. You'll also enhance your professional skills and gain the knowledge you need to build a music career, as well as transferable skills for other career paths. 

• We’ve taught music since 1905 and have a strong reputation as a Music department at the forefront of cutting edge developments in the field of practicing and studying music. This is reflected in our diverse module options covering current UK and worldwide music practices.
• Take advantage of our fantastic music facilities, such as the Bramall Music Building, and the University Music Hub’s superbly equipped recording studio and flexible rehearsal spaces.
• Turn your passion for music into your career with our practical employability module, providing you with the tools to be a successful music professional.

Play on!

Whether you sing or play an instrument, there are many bands and ensembles for you to join. Our University Music Hub is home to a variety of auditioned and non-auditioned ensembles, from choirs and folk bands to jazz collectives and much more.What’s more, you can be part of Birmingham's music scene and study in a city that loves music as much as you do. The city centre is a short distance from campus and is home to Symphony Hall and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), with Birmingham Royal Ballet nearby at Birmingham Hippodrome. The University’s music concerts and recitals often take place in these famous venues. We also have informal links to the vibrant jazz and live music scene around Digbeth and the city centre.

• Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
• Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
• Solo recital– instead of a traditional dissertation, you’ll perform a solo recital. This will be 45 minutes long. You’ll also produce short summaries of research seminars presented during the academic year.

Facilities

At Birmingham, there are lots of outstanding music facilities for you to make the most of. These include performance, rehearsal, and research spaces, concert halls, practice rooms, dedicated spaces for early music, plus studios for recording and electronic music composition. Find out more about our Music facilities.

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any 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.

2025/26 Session

Students must take the following modules according to the Pathway they have chosen:

Performance Pathway

Performance Pathway

Students pick 2 x 20 credit optional modules.

This list is indicative; not all modules will run each year depending on staff availability.

You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in Music. We can consider an Honours degree in another subject if you have significant professional musical experience and relevant qualifications.

In your personal statement, please include the MA Music pathway you're applying for in the first paragraph.

All applicants for pathways in performance must submit a sample of written work. This needs to be in English and at least 1,500 words. The written work should focus on a musical topic, with academic bibliography and references.

You'll also need to present a 20-minute audition where you play a varied programme focusing on Western classical repertoire. The audition should include a brief spoken introduction to the programme, discussing the repertoire performed. This needs to be spoken in English.

All applicants are expected to submit a video-recorded audition through an internet video link, (e.g., YouTube/Vimeo/Youku or Dropbox/WeTransfer/YouSendIt). The URL should be pasted into a text document and uploaded to the application portal. The video and written work should be submitted at the same time as your application or uploaded within two weeks of submitting your application. If these aren't provided in this timeframe then your application may be declined.

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.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

Our Music graduates enter many roles, including:

• Choral Director
• Piano Tutor
• Primary School Teacher

Employers our Music graduates have worked for include:

• University of Birmingham and other universities internationally
• Primary and secondary schools
• Diocese of Leeds Music

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

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.