Music BMus (Hons)

University of Birmingham

Music at Birmingham has evolved throughout the past century to give you unparalleled facilities, opportunities and student experience - blending tradition with fearless exploration of contemporary developments.

Your undergraduate Music degree will encompass musicology, performance and composition, with opportunities to specialise in one of these disciplines. In addition, all undergraduate students receive a scholarship for lessons for up to two instruments (including voice) at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or through the Centre for Early Music Performance and Research.

You will benefit from some of the best facilities for undergraduate music study and practice in the country, including our state-of-the-art Bramall Music Building and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, with its magnificent Art Deco concert hall. You will have access to practice rooms, electro-acoustic music studios and early instruments. Our library resources include listening booths, extensive audio and text collections, as well as Special Collections centred on Baroque music and 20th century English music, including Elgar diaries, manuscript scores and early editions. This student experience is complemented by a diverse and eclectic array of music venues in the city of Birmingham, and music-making opportunities in abundance through our active Music Society, the university's largest and oldest society.

Why study this course?

World-class teaching facilities – Our newly built, £16 million, concert hall can host audiences of 450 people. Designed by renowned acoustician Nicholas Edwards of Acoustic Dimensions (Twinned with Symphony Hall Birmingham. Symphony Centre Dallas, Royal Shakespeare Theatre), the hall will host many of your performances. Explore your niche – The Department of Music houses a Balinese Gamelan and a large collection of Early Instruments, upon which it is possible to receive tuition. We are also home to the Centre for Early Music Performance and Research (CEMPR); the Centre for Composition and Associated Studies (COMPASS); and Birmingham Electroacoustic Music Studios (BEAST). Your spotlight awaits – You will have access to a wide variety of choirs, orchestras, ensembles, music groups and musical theatre organised by the Department of Music, University Music Society and the Guild of Students. Real world relevance – As part of your degree participate in our vocational modules such as Arts Management in Practice, enhancing your professional experience and joining our 100% of undergraduate Music graduates who enter work or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2022). Birmingham: the city of music – Get involved in running and promoting our ensembles as a member of the Music Society Committee and receive professional mentoring. At University of Birmingham you’ll work exciting performance and festivals - both on the stage and behind the scenes.

11th for undergraduate Music in the Complete University Guide 2022

100% go on to work or further study within 15 months after the course (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022)

12th for Music in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023