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Popular Music Performance

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

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Establish your own exciting route in the live music sector with BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance. This course is perfect if you’re a musician looking to take your technical, performance and musicianship skills to a professional level. Applicants will be required to choose a discipline of focus for the duration of their studies as follows:

  • Guitar

  • Bass

  • Drums

  • Vocals

  • Keyboard

The programme combines core topics such as performance, technique, musicianship, theory and technology to help you find and develop your niche as a performer.

You’ll be able to further tailor your course to your own artistic and career aims through our wide range of optional modules. These include a specific focus in areas such as creative performance, session skills, songwriting, composing, arranging and more. You’ll become equipped with the skills and drive required to be successful in any musical situation.

You’ll become fully immersed in the flourishing BIMM community with plenty of opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of talented peers. And you’ll spend a lot of time on stage, too. You’ll have the chance to play live and perform with your fellow students.Throughout these performances, you’ll receive expert guidance from our BIMM lecturers.
Our lecturers who guide you through your studies are all experienced and highly sought after professionals with invaluable expertise and experience that will help you progress through the course.

Day-to-day learning will be in large live rooms, smaller studio settings and lecture-based classrooms using our world-class facilities.

So, what are you waiting for? Start your career in Popular Music Performance today.

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

Subject options

This course offers the following subject options:

  • Bass
  • Drums
  • Guitar
  • Keyboard
  • Vocals

Modules

Course Modules

Students can expect to study the following core modules:

Year 1
The Creative Industries and you 1: Finding your path
Performance Skills
Core Instrument Skills
Digital Music
Context & Culture of the Creative Industries
Applied Instrument Skills
Applied Performance
Creative Technology

Year 2
The Creative Industries and you 2: Creative Collaboration
Creativity, Identity and Agency
Contextualised Performance
Interpretive Instrument Skills
Digital Performance Portfolio

Year 3
Final Project
Creative Industries and you 3: Professional Portfolio
Performance Showcase

A range of optional modules can be selected in years 2 and 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 Manchester
  • BIMM Music Institute Brighton
  • BIMM Music Institute Birmingham
  • BIMM Music Institute London
  • BIMM Music Institute Bristol

Study options

  • Bachelor of Music (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 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
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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