Departments

Teaching at Birmingham Conservatoire is divided into specialist areas or departments. The department in which you study is determined by your first study area, rather than your course, so each department will contain a mix of undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. Throughout your chosen course, you will be expected to complete a number of core modules, but the majority of the specialist teaching you undertake will go on within your department. This will be a combination of first study lessons, masterclasses, performance classes or composers’ workshops, and other specialist activities important to your development, such as language tuition for vocal students or accompaniment for pianists.

Studying in a department allows you to meet and get to know other students who share your specialism. Over the duration of your course, you will have the opportunity to learn together and to exchange ideas. For new students, the close-knit nature of our departments also provides an excellent starting point in getting to know all your colleagues at the Conservatoire.

Performance Programmes
Depending on your first study area, you may also take part in one or more of our performance programmes:
□  Orchestral (including Bands)
□  Chamber Music
□  Early Music
□  World Music

Jazz students follow a bespoke jazz performance programme embedded in their departmental activity, which includes Big Band and Jazz Orchestra.

Other Programmes
No matter what your course or department, you will undertake professional development activities designed to meet the needs of today's professional musicians, and have the chance to pursue elective activities that contribute to your individual musical development.