Contemporary Music Performance

Entry requirements

Entry will be subject to portfolio review and audition.

In addition, 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.

Plus, English language competency equivalent to CEFR Level C1 (7.0 overall, 6.5 in each category) if from a non-majority English language speaking country.

Personal Statement
The personal statement is an important part of your application and is your chance to tell us about your aims in the music industry and why this course would benefit your music performing career. Your ability to communicate effectively is important, so the quality of your writing is a factor in how we make our decision. In particular, we will be looking for you to show your interest music and creativeness, demonstrated by one or more of the following:

• Being able to perform an instrument either taught or self-taught at a professional level
• Current music activities as a graduate
• Performing music as a soloist, a band member or forming a band
• Writing or arranging music

Months of entry

February, October

Course content

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, 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, which could culminate in the performance of a new body of work or the completion of an industry placement.

Overall, the programme aims to:

• refine your specialist performance skills and creative practice;
• enable instrumentalists to develop a significant body of original creative work;
• develop a distinctive artistic personality or voice;
• prepare to lead and continuously develop in professional performance-based industry settings.

Fees and funding