Music Performance Practice

For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area.

If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area.

Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements.

If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning.

You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. See the Application Process section for more information.

Applications for the PhD programme also need to include an academic writing sample of approx. 3,000 words. You'll also need to submit a recital showcasing a diverse programme, relevant to your intended course, of c.30 minutes duration. This can be provided via YouTube, Youku or DropBox.

Applications for the Masters by Research need to include an academic writing sample of at least 1,500 words, in addition to a bibliography and notes. You'll also need to submit a 20 minute recital.

Our facilities include:

• Bramall Music Building with a 450 seat concert hall
• Electroacoustic studios
• University Music Hub
• Our postgraduate laptop ensemble, the Birmingham Ensemble for Electroacoustic Research (BEER), lets you explore advanced live electroacoustic performance areas like controller integration, network music, and live coding.