You are viewing our beta course page.
Course summary
Specialise in Performance (vocal or instrumental) at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. We have invested £57 million in our innovative state-of-the-art music facilities with the aim of creating impressive functional spaces that combine tradition with cutting-edge technology.
The focus of our undergraduate Performance course is to help you realise your potential and become the best musician that you can be; with the support of an encouraging creative environment, we help you achieve the extraordinary.
Featuring 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. Additional activities are provided to help support your studies and develop your skills in complementary areas such as playing on historical instruments, performance coaching and Alexander technique.
You will have opportunities to perform in our five public performance venues, including our stunning 500-seat Bradshaw Hall, and make use of our seven industry-standard recording studios, and many acoustically designed rehearsal and practice rooms. Each year you will have more choice and opportunities to specialise in your studies. In your final year, you will work towards a final project relevant to your own professional aspirations.
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
- Bassoon
- Bassoon (Historical Performance)
- Cello
- Cello (Historical Performance)
- Clarinet
- Clarinet (Theatre doubling)
- Cornet
- Double Bass
- Euphonium
- Flugelhorn
- Flute
- Flute (Historical Performance)
- Flute (Theatre doubling)
- Fortepiano (Historical)
- Guitar (Classical)
- Harp
- Harpsichord
- Horn (Baritone)
- Horn (French)
- Horn (Tenor)
- Lute/Theorbo
- Oboe
- Oboe (Historical Performance)
- Organ
- Percussion
- Piano
- Recorder
- Saxophone
- Saxophone (Theatre doubling)
- Trombone (Bass)
- Trombone (Tenor)
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Viola
- Viola (Historical Performance)
- Viola da Gamba
- Violin
- Violin (Historical Performance)
- Voice (Baritone)
- Voice (Bass)
- Voice (Bass-Baritone)
- Voice (Counter-Tenor)
- Voice (Mezzo-Soprano)
- Voice (Soprano)
- Voice (Tenor)
Secondary instrument/specialisms
- Bassoon
- Bassoon (Historical Performance)
- Cello
- Cello (Historical Performance)
- Clarinet
- Clarinet (Theatre doubling)
- Cornet
- Double Bass
- Euphonium
- Flugelhorn
- Flute
- Flute (Historical Performance)
- Flute (Theatre doubling)
- Fortepiano (Historical)
- Guitar (Classical)
- Harp
- Harpsichord
- Horn (Baritone)
- Horn (French)
- Horn (Tenor)
- Lute/Theorbo
- Oboe
- Oboe (Historical Performance)
- Organ
- Percussion
- Piano
- Recorder
- Saxophone
- Saxophone (Theatre doubling)
- Trombone (Bass)
- Trombone (Tenor)
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Viola
- Viola (Historical Performance)
- Viola da Gamba
- Violin
- Violin (Historical Performance)
- Voice (Baritone)
- Voice (Bass)
- Voice (Bass-Baritone)
- Voice (Counter-Tenor)
- Voice (Mezzo-Soprano)
- Voice (Soprano)
- Voice (Tenor)
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:
- 300F
- Institution code:
- B34
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
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
Achieve a minimum of 32 tariff points achieved in either three Advanced Highers or from a combination of two Advanced Highers plus two Highers.
Where three Advanced Highers have been taken achieve a minimum of grades DDD
• Where a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers have been taken you must achieve (grades of DD in two Advanced Highers plus grades of DD in two Highers).
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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. Please see A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements
T Level
Pass overall (E or above on the core). All subjects accepted.
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).
Welsh Baccalaureate: 32 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Pass overall
Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media): Pass overall
Additional entry requirements
- Admission tests
- Audition
- Interview
- Institutions Own Test (IOT)
- Institutions Own Test. For applicants who audition in the UK. Candidates will be required to demonstrate general musical knowledge and musicianship skills, including harmony and aural.
- Institutions Own Test (IOT)
- Music Test. For applicants who audition in the UK. Candidates will be required to demonstrate general musical knowledge and musicianship skills, including harmony and aural.
English language requirements
IELTS Minimum overall score of 6.0, with no less than 5.5 in each band
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
| EU | £28460 | Year 1 |
|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
|---|
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
|---|
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
|---|
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
|---|
| International | £28460 | Year 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
The Government is proposing to increase the cap on full-time regulated tuition fees to £9,535 from 2025/26 onwards and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once legislation is enacted. Part-time fees are charged pro-rata, where applicable.
