Music Performance BMus(Hons)
Start Dates
21 September 2026
Duration
3 years full-time 4 years inc. placement year
UCAS Tariff
120-104
Overview
Why choose Huddersfield for this course?
- Receive expert one-to-one tuition and perform in ensembles, choirs, orchestras, big bands and student-led groups.
- Access professional-standard performance spaces, studios and practice rooms with generous open access outside teaching.
- Join a world-leading music community with opportunities at HCMF, Electric Spring and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Accreditation and Professional Links
Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate. Read More
Music Performance at Huddersfield is designed for performers who want to explore their artistry, refine their technique, and develop the confidence to thrive in today’s music industry. You’ll work closely with internationally active musicians, receiving one-to-one tuition, ensemble coaching and specialist mentoring throughout your degree.
As part of a School recognised globally for excellence — ranked 8th in the UK for Music (Daily Mail University Guide 2026) and winner of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for world-leading work promoting contemporary music internationally — you’ll become part of an ambitious, collaborative and forward-thinking community. Huddersfield is also ranked 37th in the world for Performing Arts (QS World University Subject Rankings 2025), reflecting the breadth of creative opportunity across music, theatre and performance.
Your learning is enriched by access to exceptional facilities, including professional-standard concert halls, practice rooms, studios, rehearsal spaces, instrument collections and our world-class recording facilities. Crucially, you’ll benefit from generous open access outside of teaching, giving you the freedom to rehearse, refine your craft and collaborate whenever inspiration strikes. Expert technical support is always on hand to help you make the most of the equipment and spaces available.
The degree offers the flexibility to shape your musical identity. You can specialise as an instrumentalist, vocalist, ensemble musician, accompanist or conductor—building your skills through a diverse programme of stylistic exploration, performance practice, interpretation, improvisation, ensemble direction and stagecraft. Opportunities to develop your own ensembles and study conducting provide additional ways to grow as a leader and creative collaborator.
Huddersfield’s vibrant artistic culture gives you extraordinary opportunities to perform and experience new work. You can take part in the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (HCMF), the UK’s leading platform for new music, and experience boundary-pushing artists at the Electric Spring Festival. Throughout your studies, you can participate in ensembles, orchestras, choirs, big bands, chamber groups and original student-led projects — all contributing to a rich and varied performance profile as you build your portfolio.
Beyond the state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll be part of a School where every student is known, supported and encouraged to reach their potential. The teaching team brings deep industry experience, giving you insight into professional expectations and helping you build the confidence needed for auditions, gigs, portfolio development and further study.
A Music Performance degree at Huddersfield can open doors to careers as a solo performer, ensemble musician, accompanist, conductor, educator, musical director, community arts practitioner or creative producer. Graduates also progress into postgraduate study in performance, teaching, music therapy, conducting, composition and related areas.
Career opportunities after the course *
Performer
Musician
Technician
Music Teacher
Video Editor
*Lightcast
Entry Requirements
BBB-BCC at A Level.
120-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications alongside evidence of prior Music or Music Technology experience (which could be offered either through formal qualifications or a portfolio of creative work).
Merit at T Level.
DDM-DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Merit in UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Merit in RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Practical and theory music grades 6-8 will be accepted in the total points.
Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
120-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.
Offers will be subject to an audition, at which you will have the opportunity to meet staff and current students. Read more about the audition process on our Interviews, auditions and portfolio pages.
You should have an advanced standard of technical achievement and excellent overall potential as a performer (roughly equivalent to the standard of grade 8 practical music making, where applicable).
Entry is also possible for applicants who don't hold standard UK qualifications.
International and mature applicants who don't hold standard UK qualifications can provide a portfolio to demonstrate skills relevant to the course. We audition all applicants for this course and ask you to send us video links performing two contrasting pieces. You should have advanced technical ability and excellent potential as a performer (roughly equivalent to the standard of grade 8 practical music making, where applicable).
If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.
Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.
If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Music and Performing Arts Foundation Pathway Degree.
Course Details
Teaching and Assessment
Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.
Global Professional Award
At Huddersfield, you’ll study the award-winning Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* — so you’re ready for the career you want, whatever subject you choose.
Placements
In addition to the short term (8 week) work placement in your final year Work and Professional Practice module, this course offers you the opportunity to take an optional one-year (48 week) work placement after your second year, in the UK or abroad. Previous placement providers have included BBC Music Magazine, Kirklees Music School, AVID, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Buxton Opera House, Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, British Council - Lycee General Technical de L'Europe, Horus Music - Anara Publishing and Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.
My placement at The People's Orchestra gave me the experience required to develop my interests in the professional field of music. I was challenged to learn new skills and explore other aspects of the industry.
- Jamie Watson
Music Performance BMus(Hons)
Your Career
Studying Music Performance at Huddersfield provides numerous opportunities for you to develop the professional skills and connections that will help you succeed in the field as a graduate. Every aspect of our courses - performance, composition, musicology, education, and arts administration - includes significant opportunities to work alongside leading music professionals in workshops, masterclasses, rehearsals and in a working environment.
A selection of companies that have employed Huddersfield graduates in recent years include Warminster School, Elmhurst Ballet School and Nottingham Music School, Opera North and Cory Brass Band. Many graduates go on to work freelance and establish a portfolio career while many go on to postgraduate study.**
**LinkedIn
85%
Percent of graduates from this course were in work or further study 15 months after graduation
* HESA Graduate Outcomes 22/23, UK Domiciled
I thoroughly enjoyed every element of my course. All the lecturers are incredibly passionate about their subject. Your personal tutors are incredibly helpful and supportive of not only your university work, but with any problems that you may be facing.
- Charlotte Collier
Graduated Music Performance BMus(Hons) in 2019 and is now a Private Singing Tutor for Tutorful.
Fees and Finance
This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.
Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy.
From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).
For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/
This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.
Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy.
For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/
Home
The tuition fee for a placement year is £1000. If you go on work experience or work placement, you will need to fund your own travel and/or accommodation costs to and from the placement. Please be aware that if your placement is outside of the UK, you will still be responsible for your travel and living expenses and may need to consider issues like health care and insurance costs.
International
The tuition fee for a placement year is £3,300. If you go on work experience or work placement, you will need to fund your own travel and/or accommodation costs to and from the placement. Please be aware that if your placement is outside of the UK, you will still be responsible for your travel and living expenses and may need to consider issues like health care and insurance costs.
We offer a range of scholarships for those studying Music
Scholarships and Bursaries
Discover what additional help you may be eligible for to support your University studies.
Tuition Fee Loans
Find out more about tuition fee loans available to eligible undergraduate students.
What’s included in your fee?
We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.
If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.
Gallery
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Progressive Rock Band, Phipps Hall
Funk Band, Phipps Hall
Green Room Recording Studio
Phipps Concert Hall
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School Brochure
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Why Hud
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Explore Huddersfield
Make Huddersfield your home. A Yorkshire town, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with easy access to neighbouring cities; Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. You’ll find plenty of places to eat, drink, shop and socialise, there’s ambitious plans for future development. Our campus is situated next to the town centre - making your commute a breeze.
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Your Student Experience
Get involved in great opportunities helping you to make friends from all across the world and create lifelong memories. Join one of over 100 societies with the Students’ Union, experience new cultures through global events, earn whilst you learn and build your skills via our Global Professional Award.
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We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.
Find out more about careers supportStudent support
At the University of Huddersfield, you’ll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you’ll soon discover that you’re never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.
See our support servicesTeaching Excellence
Great teaching is engaging and inspiring — it helps you reach your full potential and prepares you for the future. We don’t just teach well — we excel — and we have the awards and recognition to prove it.
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Our researchers carry out world-leading work that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Staff within the Department of Media, Humanities and the Arts may teach you on this course.
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You’ll be taught by staff who want to support your learning and share the latest knowledge and research.
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Looking for student accommodation? Huddersfield has you covered. HudLets has a variety of accommodation types to choose from, no matter what your preference. HudLets is the University’s approved accommodation service, run by Huddersfield Students’ Union.
Take a look at your optionsFurther Study
If you want to continue your learning beyond your undergraduate degree, there is a range of financial support available for postgraduate study, including discounts for Huddersfield graduates.
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When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.
Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons:
Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on
If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and if you are unhappy with the change we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.
Changes to your course after you enrol as a student
Changes to option modules
Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.
Major changes
We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff being unable to teach due to illness, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government.
Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will consult with affected groups of students and any changes would only be made in accordance with our regulations. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you let us know before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for any additional tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so and you may be eligible for an exit award depending on how far through your course you are.
In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.
The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.