COURSE CURRICULUM

The BMus (Hons) degree at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is a four-year program designed to develop students’ specialist musical skills and professional readiness. In the first year, students choose a Principal Study in Performance, Percussion, Composition, or Music Technology, while also completing core modules in Language of Music, Contextual Studies: Performance Traditions, and Professional Portfolio 1: Community Engagement. This year focuses on foundational knowledge, technical skill development, and engagement with musical communities. In the second year, students continue their Principal Study while advancing in Language of Music, Contextual Studies: Performance Traditions, and Professional Portfolio 2: Pedagogy and Practice, emphasizing deeper musical understanding, ensemble work, and teaching or facilitation skills. The third year consolidates expertise with continued Principal Study, Language of Music: Specialism, Contextual Studies: Specialism, and optional modules including Collaborative Practice, Live Project, or Work Placement, allowing practical application and industry engagement. In the fourth and final year, students select modules totaling 120 credits from three lists: Principal Study, Project, and optional modules, offering flexibility to focus on advanced performance, composition, music technology projects, or professional development opportunities. Across all four years, the course integrates rigorous musical training, contextual understanding, and practical experience, preparing graduates to pursue careers as professional performers, composers, or music technology specialists, equipped with both technical proficiency and creative independence.