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Professional Music (Performance)

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · 14/09/2026 · UndergraduateWaterBear, Sheffield

Course options

This course takes place at
WaterBear, Sheffield
2026-2027
Apply

Course summary

The degree course for today’s independent, self-motivated musicians.

If you’re a dedicated musician with the commitment to making a life in music, then the BA (Hons) Professional Music (Performance) at WaterBear is the degree course for you.

It’s designed to motivate you to reach your music goals and realise your full potential. It focusses on what’s really important – the creation of high-quality music and great live music performance. And like all degree courses at WaterBear, it gives you the perfect blend of artistic freedom alongside practical strategies to forge a solid career in music.

For musicians in today’s music industry, it’s all about developing a broad range of skills to build a sustainable and resilient career. You may be a multi-instrumentalist looking to improve in one or more different areas, or you might just want to focus on your primary instrument or voice. No problem. You’ll be able to access a wide range of content, resources and tuition to suit your individual needs. All online content from our full range of courses is accessible to everyone, so you can tailor your own learning journey.

At WaterBear, we believe in smaller class sizes and the value of personal 1-1 mentoring. We also believe you should have the freedom to explore what’s possible and continually push creative boundaries. All students on our 3-yr degree courses learn in small groups on pro-standard gear in environments designed to fuel creative output.

Students at WaterBear also get free, bookable access to professional rehearsal and recording studios, so you won’t need to worry about where to practice and record yourself or your band.

This course is taught at WaterBear in Sheffield, and awarded by Falmouth University.

Modules

The degree is built on three fundamental elements – your music, your career and your projects. It deals with what really matters in music and the industry. It will expand your options and push you to deliver high-quality music and great live music performance. Every week, you’ll hone your instrumental / vocal techniques, stylistic knowledge, improvisation and stagecraft, and expand your creative repertoire. You’ll be performing live on stage in working music venues with other WaterBear musicians and artists. And you’ll learn all you need to know about the realities of being a professional musician in today’s music industry. There are also regular networking events, masterclasses, collaboration and work opportunities so you can build your all-important contacts list.

This course has been specifically designed for:

Vocalists
Guitarists
Drummers
Bassists
Multi-instrumentalists

Every musician at WaterBear has their own story to tell and their own path to follow. We provide a supportive, safe environment for you to experiment and create. You'll also develop a tailored career plan to support your personal goals and ambitions.

Level 4 Modules:

Your Music Performance
Navigating the Music Industry
Creative Music Performance
Your Strategy

Level 5 Modules:

Your Sound
Your Events
Innovation in Music Performance
Innovation in the Music Industry

Level 6 Modules:

Your Professional Development
Specialist Report
Professional Project Portfolio

As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • WaterBear, Sheffield

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 14/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
W378
Institution code:
F33
Campus name:
WaterBear, Sheffield
Campus Code:
L
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2, 3

Falmouth 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

Apply by
14 January

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:
W378
Institution code:
F33
Campus name:
WaterBear, Sheffield
Campus Code:
L

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

International applicants

We regret that this course is not available to international applicants who would require a Student Visa. If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points, primarily from Level 3 equivalent qualifications, such as A levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma, or current, relevant experience. Grade 4 (or C) or above in GCSE English Language, or equivalent, is a minimum language requirement for all applicants. Due to the creative nature of our courses, you will be considered on your own individual merit and potential to succeed on your chosen course. Please contact the Applicant Services team for advice if you are predicted UCAS points below this range, or if you have questions about the qualifications or experience you have.

A level

We welcome A Levels in a wide range of subjects, especially in those relevant to the course for which you apply.

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

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits (with a minimum of 45 credits achieved at level 3) in a relevant subject.

Scottish Higher

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points

AS

We may consider a standalone AS in a relevant subject, if it is taken along with other A Levels and if an A Level has not been taken in the same subject. However, you will not be disadvantaged if you do not have a standalone AS subject as we will not ordinarily use them in our offers.

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

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications

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

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications

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

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications

Scottish Advanced Higher

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points, when combined with a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points from the Supporting Qualifications

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points, when combined with a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points from the Supporting Qualifications

Extended Project

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points

Leaving Certificate - Ordinary Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points

T Level - P - M

P (Pass) grade must be C or above, not D or E

At Falmouth, we recognise excellence in many forms, and we see the whole you.

Our diverse community is creative, innovative and entrepreneurial.

We recognise that these qualities aren’t always shown in academic grades alone. That’s why, while many of our applicants achieve high academic grades, we also welcome those who can demonstrate their potential through an exceptional portfolio or performance.

To support this approach, during a friendly conversation with our academic team, we’ll consider your ideas, your creative output and your ambition to ensure you’ll thrive at Falmouth.

If you are able to demonstrate relevant, current, equivalent experience instead of formal qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Please contact our Applicant Services team before applying, for advice regarding your individual experience and eligibility.

If you are an international applicant and require a Student visa to study in the UK, you must have a recognised English language test approved and vouched for by the University at the appropriate level. You can see what we accept on our website https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements Our Applicant Services team can help you with any general questions you may have about study visas or suitable language tests. For more specific advice, we recommend you also consult UKCISA http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening

View our list of accepted English language tests and qualifications using the link below https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements

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.

At Falmouth University, we take a rounded approach to admissions. Instead of focusing on criteria like grades alone, we operate a contextual admissions policy, where we look at you as a person: your talents, your experiences and your potential. Every offer we make is shaped around you and your circumstances, and our conditional offers are always intended to be realistic and achievable.

Learn more on the Falmouth University website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.

Data from:
This course and 27 other music courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Grades held by accepted students

For Falmouth University, the top and bottom 5% of student grades have been removed from these calculations. This change helps to remove any extraordinary circumstances that could impact the data. Learn more here .
BBC Most common
  1. AAB
  2. Highest grades
  3. CDD
  4. Lowest grades

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

71% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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