We look at each application individually, considering your grades, interview (along with your portfolio/audition) and any relevant experience. We typically expect students to have achieved 48 UCAS points or PPP in a Level 3 Diploma / Extended Diploma. Mature students who don’t meet these standard entry requirements may be able to show us their potential through relevant experience. Applicants whose first language is not English and who do not have GCSE English will be asked to take an IELTS assessment or equivalent and will need to achieve an overall score of 6.0, with 6.0 in the writing element and at least 5.5 in all other sub elements.
Entry requirements
Why choose this course?
A performance-centred degree with entrepreneurship at its core. Regular gigs, festival work and studio projects build stagecraft, creative versatility and professional resilience, while industry sessions with labels, publishers and managers expand your understanding of how careers are built and sustained.
Build your future in music as a performer, composer and recording artist while developing the creative, technical and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in today’s industry. Through live projects, commissions, collaborations and industry-focused briefs, you’ll refine your artistic identity, challenge your ideas and position your work within the wider creative landscape. You’ll join a vibrant community of musicians, educators and industry professionals, gaining access to expert guidance, professional facilities and valuable industry connections. Alongside performance and creative practice, you’ll explore the cultural, commercial and technological forces shaping contemporary music, from business, law and finance to sustainability and ethics. Graduating as a confident, adaptable and informed practitioner, you’ll be ready to forge a successful and sustainable career in the evolving music industry
Further information
For vocalists and instrumentalists who are passionate about performing, creating and collaborating, this course is designed to help you forge your identity as a contemporary music practitioner and build a sustainable career in the music industry. Through live performance opportunities, collaborative projects, critical feedback and industry-informed learning, you will develop the confidence, creativity and self-sufficiency needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving musical landscape. Exploring performance and production processes, emerging technologies, music culture and professional practice, you will gain a deep understanding of both the artistic and commercial realities of the industry. Graduating with a substantial portfolio of recorded and live work, strong professional networks and the ability to work independently and collaboratively, you will be ready to make your mark as a versatile and adaptable music professional.
The BA (Hons.) Music Performer and Practitioner course provides a dynamic and immersive learning environment, designed for those seeking to develop a strong artistic and professional identity within the music industry. You will specialise in your chosen area of music practice while collaborating with instrumentalists, vocalists, DJs, and students from other programmes. With access to exceptional facilities, you will refine your technical skills, critical thinking, and creative output, ensuring your music meets high artistic and commercial standards. The course structure encourages self-sufficiency, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing you for a sustainable and adaptable career in music.
- Artist identity, branding and portfolio building
- Live performance, ensemble leadership and MD skills
- Major projects, dissertation and professional practice
- Music business, law and career planning
- Studio recording, arranging and production
Graduates enter session work, original projects, media composition, teaching and event management. Many sustain hybrid careers—touring, releasing, tutoring and producing—supported by strong entrepreneurial skills.
Our teaching and assessment methods are designed to keep learning dynamic, engaging and hands-on. You’ll experience a mix of:
- Practical and studio-based workshops to refine your skills
- Group discussions to exchange ideas and insights
- Critiques to help improve your work
- Lectures and seminars to explore concepts and techniques
- One-on-one tutorials for tailored feedback
- Group study and peer reviews to collaborate and learn from others
- Independent study to deepen your knowledge and creativity
Assessment methods are tailored to each unit and may include:
- Completing project work
- Performance
- Delivering presentations
- Keeping journals of your creative journey
- Developing a research proposal
- Writing assignments to showcase your understanding
With this variety, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow and demonstrate your skills in ways that suit your strengths!
- Tutorials
- Small group study
- Self-directed study
- Study trips
Assessment methods are tailored to each unit and may include:
- Presentations (of practical work)
- Journals
- Research proposals
- Sketchbooks / drawings
- Written assignments
With this variety, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow and demonstrate your skills in ways that suit your strengths and challenge your creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability.
Flexible Exit Awards
This programme is designed as a three-year course leading to the award of a BA (Hons) degree. It is delivered through a flexible 1+1+1 structure, with each year representing a distinct stage of learning and achievement. This approach allows students to progress through the programme in clearly defined phases while retaining the flexibility to exit at the end of any academic year if their circumstances change.
Students who complete the full programme will be awarded a BA (Hons). However, students who choose to leave the course before completion may be eligible for an interim award that formally recognises the credits they have successfully achieved.
Level 4 (Year 1) Students who successfully complete 120 credits at Level 4 and then leave the programme may be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE).
Level 5 (Year 2) Students who successfully complete 240 credits, and then leave the programme may be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE).
Level 6 (Year 3) Students who successfully complete 360 credits, will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons).
This flexible 1+1+1 model ensures that students who do not complete the full degree can still receive formal recognition for their achievements, while those who continue through all three years graduate with a BA (Hons) qualification.