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Popular Music Performance & Music Production

  • 1 Study option
  • Undergraduate
5 Campuses
More about BIMM University

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

About the course

Our BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance & Music Production degree is ideal for performing and recording music while simultaneously building a broad range of supportive skills. Once you graduate, you’ll have the tools needed for a successful and sustainable music industry career. You’ll leave here as a highly-skilled, versatile performer with an extensive portfolio of skills.

You’ll learn core topics of performance, technique, musicianship, recording skills, theory and technology – and how to apply them creatively. You’ll also be able to further tailor your course to your artistic and career aims via our optional modules.

Our optional modules mean you can specialise in a variety of areas. These include creative performance, technology (DAW and on stage), session skills, improvised music, global music styles, composing, arranging and learning complementary instrument skills. By the end of the course, you’ll have a portfolio that showcases your performances in the style, genre, or context of your choosing.

Whichever route you choose, you’ll graduate with a wide range of skills to champion any professional opportunities that come your way.

Your day to day learning will take place in large live rooms, recording studios, smaller studio settings, lecture-based classrooms and Mac suites. Our highly experienced lecturers will also guide you through your studies. And, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate with talented students from different disciplines to bring your artistic, academic and industry goals to life.

The BIMM University Graduate
We make sure that when you graduate, your attributes and skills mirror the employment and creative needs of the music industry – both today and in the future.

We aim to equip graduates with the following qualities, so they have a long lasting career.

  • Employable and Entrepreneurial

  • Creative, Collaborative and Connected

  • Resilient and adaptable

  • Globally Aware

  • Professional

  • Intellectually Curious

  • Self-aware

Modules

Course Modules

Students can expect to study the following core modules:

YEAR 1:

  • The creative industries and you 1: Finding your path
  • Context and culture of the creative industries
  • Core instrument skills
  • Applied instrument skills
  • Audio fundamentals
  • Audio capture methods and equipment
  • Mixing multi-track audio
  • Creative technology

YEAR 2:

  • The creative industries and you 2: Creative Collaboration
  • Creativity, identity and agency
  • Interpretive instrument skills
  • Digital Performance portfolio
  • Studio practice and engineering
  • Practical Acoustics

YEAR 3

  • The creative industries and you 3: Professional Portfolio
  • Final project
  • Performance showcase
  • Answering a creative brief.

Optional module/s can be selected in year 3, subject to availability and student demand. Please visit the course information page on the BIMM Music Institute website for a full break down.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • BIMM Music Institute Birmingham
  • BIMM Music Institute London
  • BIMM Music Institute Brighton
  • BIMM Music Institute Manchester
  • BIMM Music Institute Bristol

Study options

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
B39

BIMM University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
B39

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
BB

UCAS Tariff
Offer: 80

Minimum of 2 A-levels at Grade B or above (80 UCAS), OR BTEC Level 3 equivalent, and normally three GCSEs at a minimum grade C/4, including English Language.

Mature applicants (19+) who do not hold the minimum entry criteria can be considered for RPP – Recognition of Prior Practice. This is an essay-based submission focused on prior professional practice or experiential learning.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
MMP

Additional entry requirements

Audition
Once your application is received, you will be contacted by a member of the admissions team to arrange an audition in person, virtual, or by a demo submission. Full guidelines on what to prepare will be emailed to you.
Interview
Once your application is received, you will be contacted by a member of the admissions team to arrange an audition in person, virtual, or by a demo submission. Full guidelines on what to prepare will be emailed to you.
Portfolio
Once your application is received, you will be contacted by a member of the admissions team to arrange an audition in person or by a demo submission. You will be required to present a portfolio of your work, full guidelines of what to prepare will be emailed to you.
Other
Our auditions and interviews are conducted in a relaxed and supportive manner. They are as much about you assessing us and making sure BIMM Music Institute is the right place for you to study. The audition or interview also gives you another opportunity to learn more about the course you have applied for. Auditions, Interviews and Portfolio Submissions Depending on which course you choose, you may need to attend an audition, interview or submit a portfolio of work as part of your application. We have plenty of handy resources online to help you prepare for your audition or interview. The BIMM Music Institute Admissions Team will also send you preparation guidelines, which will be specifically for the course you have applied for. Undergraduate Courses including Joint Hons Requiring an Audition*: • Performance (Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocals and Keyboards) • Songwriting (supporting material also required) Non-Performance Undergraduate Courses and Interviews*: • Music Business, Events and Media Undergraduate Courses Requiring a Portfolio and Interview*: • Music Production *Auditions/Interviews can be completed virtually by Zoom, or in person.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6a minimum of 5.5 must be achieved in each band (Reading, writing, listening, speaking)
Cambridge English AdvancedLevel B2A minimum overall score of 170, and no lower than 165 in each band
TOEFL (iBT)72the minimum points must met in each band: Listening - 17 Reading - 18 Speaking - 20 Writing - 17
PTE Academic59A minimum score of 59 overall. At least 59 must be achieved in all four skills

We also accept the following qualifications: - ESOL Skills for Life Level B2 (Higher B2 on CEFR Scale) - IGCSE English Language (First Language) at C/4 or above - IGCSE English Language (Second Language) at B/3 or above - International Baccalaureate Standard English A at grade 4, OR Higher Level English B at grade 4. If you have studied a different English Language qualification, please send details to the admissions team and we will confirm if it can be accepted. Applicants that need a student visa to study will be required to have taken a UKVI approved qualification, achieving the minimum requirements. Full details can be viewed on our website. Applicants must have met the minimum requirement and be in receipt of results prior to enrolment.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Our decision-making process assesses the entire application. We are looking for talent and technical skill alongside academic achievement. Applicants are invited to either audition, interview, or submit supporting portfolio evidence. Your offer will be based on a combination of your academic profile, strength of application, and the successful outcome of the audition, interview, or portfolio review. Where appropriate, we also review personal circumstances when making contextual offers.

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£9790*
EU & International£15950*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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 tuition fee shown is for year 1 of study only.
Fees may be subject to increase on an annual basis, and do not cover additional costs such as:

Visa application costs
Living costs (rent/bills/travel)
Equipment required for your course
(computer and software/instrument/books)

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries 1

Each year we offer various bursaries and scholarships.
For further information, please view details on the BIMM University website

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