Music: Choral Conducting pathwayMA

You’ll benefit from significant directed podium time, including leading our University Camerata choir rehearsals on a weekly basis as you prepare for your recital. You’ll also have the invaluable opportunity to sing with the Birmingham University Singers and the CBSO Chorus, along with acting as an assistant conductor for our five University choirs, such as the University of Birmingham Voices. 

Course structure

The course runs over 12 months full-time. 

Our world-renowned tutors include Julian Wilkins, a leading composer and ex-King’s Singer, Bob Chilcott, a BBC Proms composer, and Mariana Rosas, director of the London Symphony Chorus.

• Our diverse study options include modules such as ‘Music Employability’, ‘Performance Skills’ and ‘Introduction to Global Popular Musics’.
• There are opportunities throughout the MA to gain practical conducting experience.
• Access outstanding facilities from the dedicated Bramall Music Building to University Hub with rehearsal and recording spaces.
• Take part in masterclasses and workshops provided by distinguished guest staff.
• Top 100 for Arts and Humanities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024).

Make your mark in the city of Birmingham

Birthplace of works as important as Elgar’s ‘The Dream of Gerontius’, Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’ and Dvorak’s ‘Requiem’, the city has been a centre of choral excellence for over two hundred years. The city of Birmingham continues to be a hotspot for composition invention and a world leader in community and education work.

• 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.
• Choral conducting major project– instead of a traditional dissertation, you’ll produce a choral conducting major project. You’ll conduct a formal concert of choral repertoire and write summaries for Music Research Colloquium seminars.

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 below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.

As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.

2025/26 Session

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

Choral Conducting Pathway:

Choral Conducting Pathway
Students pick 40 credits of 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 must provide audition materials.

If you're from the UK, we'd expect you to come to campus and audition in person. If you're unable to arrange an audition in person or you're an overseas applicant, you'll need to submit video evidence to support your application.

Please submit two videos - one video in a rehearsal setting and one of a recent public performance. You should submit your videos online via YouTube/Youku (preferred option) or Dropbox.

Below are some guidelines to follow for both videos:

• Each video should be 10 minutes in duration
• The camera should be facing you as the conductor with your upper body and facial expressions visible
• You should show contrasting repertoire from the Western Classical Tradition

The videos should be submitted at the same time as your application or uploaded within two weeks of submitting your application. If the videos 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.

Please note, applications for this programme are not currently being accepted. If you have any queries, please 'Ask us a question' via the button above.

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.