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Start Date
September
UCAS Code
BCA
Institution Code
BCA123
Duration
Full Time: 1 Year
Part Time: 2 Years
Course Fulltime Fees
£10,800 per year
COURSE OVERVIEW
This professionally focused, 12-month practice-based master’s degree in music performance aims to help students develop specialist skills as a performer, musical director, composer and arranger to an industry-leading standard through the creation of a significant body of original work demonstrating a distinctive artistic personality. Over the course of the year on this music performance degree, students will refine their instrumental skills, lead ensembles and create new compositions and arrangements through a range of individual lessons and group workshops and lectures. Additionally, students will devise and test strategies to launch, market and continuously develop their professional personas and then undertake a major body of creative and professional work over the summer as part of the Mmus, which could culminate in the performance of a new body of work or the completion of an industry placement.
COURSE DETAILS
Semester 1
- Principal Instrument
- Ensemble Workshop
- Songwriting
- Composing for Film & Other Media
Semester 2
- Principal Instrument
- Digital Distribution & Marketing
- Arranging
- Writing & Recording Artist
Semester 3
- Major Project
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
MMus Music Performance
Postgraduate (Level 7):
- A minimum second-class honours degree in a relevant subject from a UK awarding body or college recognised equivalent international qualification.
- Significant equivalent professional experience will also be considered
- English language competency equivalent to CEFR Level C1 (7.0 overall, 6.5 in each category). If English is not your first language.
FAQs
The main difference is that the MMus is a postgraduate music performance degree for musicians who want to take their existing skills further. You’ll spend more time developing your individual style and direction through advanced performance work and independent projects, while the BMus provides a broader undergraduate foundation across music performance and production.
After completing your MMus, you could pursue a career as a performer, session musician, musical director, composer or arranger, as well as other roles across the music industry. Studying a music performance degree in London can also help you build the creative, collaborative and professional skills needed for freelance work or a portfolio career combining different roles.
Yes. The course gives you plenty of scope to focus on the areas of music that matter most to you. Alongside developing your principal instrument, you can explore options such as songwriting, arranging, ensemble performance and composition for film and other media. You’ll also work towards a Major Project shaped around your own creative interests and goals.
Independent study is a big part of the master’s in music performance, with around 91% of learning hours completed independently. This time could include rehearsing, developing your instrumental skills, researching and working on creative projects. You’ll balance this with scheduled teaching, workshops, group sessions and tutorials throughout the course.
You’ll have opportunities to perform and collaborate with other musicians throughout your master’s degree in music. Depending on the modules and projects you choose, this can include ensemble performance and other collaborative work. You’ll also develop practical experience of working with others, from sharing creative ideas to taking on musical direction and leadership roles.
The Music Performance Masters course is designed for experienced musicians who want to develop their performance skills and take their creative practice further. It’s a good fit if you already have a strong musical foundation and want to develop your own artistic identity while exploring areas such as composition, arranging, musical direction and collaborative performance.
Yes. As a Level 7 master’s qualification, the MMus Music Performance can provide a route to further postgraduate study, including a PhD or other doctoral programme. Entry requirements vary between universities and courses, so you’ll need to check the academic, research and portfolio requirements for the doctoral programme you’re interested in.
The MMus Music Performance is assessed through practical work and coursework, with no written exams. Depending on the module, this could include performances, original music, individual and collaborative projects, presentations, project diaries, reflective work and written research. This gives you different ways to show both your musical development and the work behind it.