• Postgraduate

Performance (Classical, Jazz & Popular) MMus

Overview

Overview

The MMus Performance course focuses on developing your musical performance in classical, jazz and popular styles at an advanced level. As a performer, you will benefit from one-to-one tuition with our team of internationally acclaimed professional performers, playing and learning with other students in workshops and masterclasses, and taking part in London College of Music’s lively musical environment.

Developing your individual approach to performance, you will hone your critical thinking and listening skills through practical workshops and classes exploring research skills, performance practices and the psychology of performance. Our range of option modules allow you to focus on areas of interest relevant to your career choices. 

Throughout the course there are opportunities to work with students form the wider LCM community, enhancing your learning experience and widening your network of like-minded industry professionals.

View some of our students' recent work.

Music collage

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Performance (Classical, Jazz & Popular) with us?

Why study Performance (Classical, Jazz & Popular) with us?

What our students say…

I finished my MMus with a newfound confidence in my artistic practice and real skills to start a career in the music industry. The individualised supervision from staff was excellent - they really take the time to guide you through all the challenges. I can safely say I achieved more on this course than I ever have done during my academic life, and I left with a degree to be very proud of.

Georgia Nonkululeko Lomax-Thorpe, 2019 Graduate
Next
London College of Music: founded in 1887
Image of jazz music being performed highlight the course can help students become musicians
£1m+ investment in the Paragon Annex Studios. Our studio complex is now one of the largest in Europe.
UWL boasts a 200-seat fully equipped studio theatre
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

We have designed this music degree to reflect your needs as a professional artist. While some modules focus on practice and others on theory and research, you will notice more overlap as your studies progress.

Your practical modules will include extensive ensemble work and individual instrumental tuition. Academic modules will include research methods and critical perspectives, which will prepare you to devise and execute a final practice-based research project. You will also take an option module, where you may choose between studio recording, music pedagogy and songwriting.

The third trimester is dedicated to your final project, which will conclude your course.

Our tutors are active research academics and/or professional musicians of the highest standard. They will use a variety of teaching methods, including one-to-one tuition, ensemble work, lectures, workshops and practical sessions.

As a member of the extensive LCM community, you will be able to participate in an array of musical activities, broadening your learning experience and professional network. Our ensembles include the LCM Sinfonia, LCM Big Band, LCM Choir, Jazz Vocal Ensemble. There are also numerous student-led projects and performance opportunities.

On graduating from LCM, you will join an impressive list of alumni, including: 

  • Matt Tong, formerly of Bloc Party  
  • Matthew Hodson, the founder of the London Synthesis Orchestra  
  • Ben Salter, who worked with Nile Rodgers in the United States 
  • Alexander Grant, aka Alex Da Kid, a Grammy Award nominee who wrote and produced Eminem’s Love the Way You Lie (featuring Rihanna).

Compulsory modules

You will study all compulsory modules and you can choose ONE optional module.
  • Research Informed Practice

    This module will allow you to consolidate knowledge gained through your undergraduate study and/or professional experience. You will focus on producing a performance which is informed by research. The exact focus of your research informed performance will be decided by you through discussion with the tutors. Teaching on this module will be primarily by tutors who are also industry professionals. They will be able to share their own diverse experience of research informed practice as well as help you identify the focus of your own project. 

  • Ensemble and Musical Direction Skills

    This module is designed to develop skills organising and directing an ensemble. You will play music with your peers and other members of the LCM community. You will combine practice, discussion, co-operative learning and reflection in directed workshop sessions. You will be required to work in a group with their peers, taking a range of roles in the group. At times you will direct the ensemble, on other occasions you will be required to be a musician under the lead of another director and at times you will work as a co-operative group. These will prepare you for the role of musical director in a series of rehearsals and a final performance. 

  • Critical Perspectives

    Through analysis, critical thinking, the study of creative and reflective practice, and reading and discussion of a number of enlightening texts you will learn to develop your status as an informed practitioner, greatly expanding your awareness of your own work and the social, political, and musical contexts that it inhabits. During group lectures and seminars you will study a series of important practitioners with an emphasis on analysis and critical thinking.

  • Research Methods

    You will be trained in research methods and critical methodology as preparation for undertaking research that supports and advances the project work in your course. You will define, articulate and critically reflect upon the research concerns of your own practice, thereby underpinning and enhancing your knowledge and understanding of your chosen field of study. You will present your work at the multi-disciplinary LCM postgraduate conference.

  • Performance Portfolio

    This module combines performance workshops, individual instrumental classes and lectures/seminars to prepare for a performance which showcases practitioner skills underpinned by research. You will build on skills developed in Research Informed Performance and Ensemble and Musical Direction Skills. You will focus on producing a performance which is informed by research and demonstrate your professional development as a practitioner. Additionally, you will be challenged to consider how social media can be used in the decision-making and promotion processes related to your performance context. 

  • Masters Project

    For this module you will undertake an ambitious and self-managed large-scale practical project on a topic of your choice. The project will be framed by a study of contemporary research around your topic, and will be designed to expand and enhance the skills and knowledge around a specialised area. The project makes an excellent showcase to kickstart your future career.

Optional modules

  • Studio Recording

    The Studio Recording module gives you the opportunity to engage in the development, management and execution of a music production project. The course will be taught in the recording studio and will combine practice with theory. 

    The module will combine practical skills in the studio environment with reflection and analysis of the interactions that occur within the recording environment. Consideration will be given to different models of recording and the significance of the socio-cultural interactions that occur in the recording environment. Focus will be on the role of the artist producer, in recognition of the likely career paths of performers. You will develop your skills through practice and consideration of case studies of artist producers. 

  • Music Pedagogy

    Research suggests that the majority of musicians earn a significant proportion of their income through teaching and, therefore, knowledge and experience should be considered an important addition to the skill-set. This module provides an excellent opportunity for you to test your potential as a music educator. We intend to give you a flavour of working in education, researching into pedagogical ideas and equipping you with valuable skills that are transferable to your career.

  • Songwriting

    The songwriting module gives you the opportunity to engage in the development, management and execution of a polished, professional song portfolio. Drawing upon a myriad of songwriting techniques, you will develop a portfolio of original material showcasing your unique creative voice. The course will combine case studies, group and individual compositional tasks, co-operative working and peer evaluation to help you form your individual project. 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

You need: 

  • an honours degree (2:1 or above) in music with performance, performance or another relevant subject
  • an unedited recording of two contrasting pieces of music
  • 1,000-word essay - see below.
Essay question for applicants

To assess your suitability for the course, we ask you to write a 1,000-word essay on the following topic (roughly 1, 000 words): 

If you were asked to develop a project which used your practice as research what would you do?

Identify and explain some of the distinctions between practice-based and conventional research. In your work give some examples of research methods that might be employed in practice-based research. Using this as a foundation, outline a practice-based research project that you might undertake that focused on your areas of interest. 

Submitting your essay

Please submit your essay along with links to youtube videos of your performance work. You can upload it to your online application (see 'how to apply' below).

Useful references

  • Borgdorff, H. (2006) The Debate on Research in the Arts. Amsterdam: Felix Meritus
  • Borgdorff, H., 2010. The Production Of Knowledge In Artistic Research. In H. Karlsson & M. Biggs, eds. The Routledge Companion to Research in the Arts. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, pp. 44–63
  • Collins, H., 2010. Creative Research: The Theory and Practice of Research for the Creative Industries, Bloomsbury Academic
  • Deliège, I. and Wiggins, G. A. (2005). Musical creativity: multidisciplinary research in theory and practice. Hove: Psychology
  • Dogantan-Dack, M. (2015). Artistic Practice as Research in Music: Theory, Criticism, Practice. New edition. Farnham, Surrey, UK ; Burlington, VT: Ashgate
  • Ingold, T. (2013) Making: Anthropology, Archaeology, Art and Architecture. London and New York: Routledge
  • Smith, H. and Dean, R. T. (2009). Practice-led research, research-led practice in the creative arts. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.Chicago Press.

Online resources

6.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement of 6.5 overall score for IELTS, with a minimum of 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents.

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements. Find out more about our English Language courses.

 
Academic requirements

As part of your application, we will ask you to provide us with:

  • an unedited recording of two contrasting pieces of music
  • two references (one academic)
  • 1,000-word essay - see below.
Essay question for applicants

To assess your suitability for the course, we ask you to write a 1,000-word essay on the following topic (roughly 1, 000 words): 

If you were asked to develop a project which used your practice as research what would you do? Identify and explain some of the distinctions between practice-based and conventional research. In your work give some examples of research methods that might be employed in practice-based research. Using this as a foundation, outline a practice-based research project that you might undertake that focused on your areas of interest.

Submitting your essay

Please submit your essay along with links to youtube videos of your performance work. You can upload it to your online application (see 'how to apply' below).

Useful references

  • Borgdorff, H. (2006) The Debate on Research in the Arts. Amsterdam: Felix Meritus
  • Borgdorff, H., 2010. The Production Of Knowledge In Artistic Research. In H. Karlsson & M. Biggs, eds. The Routledge Companion to Research in the Arts. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, pp. 44–63
  • Collins, H., 2010. Creative Research: The Theory and Practice of Research for the Creative Industries, Bloomsbury Academic
  • Deliège, I. and Wiggins, G. A. (2005). Musical creativity: multidisciplinary research in theory and practice. Hove: Psychology
  • Dogantan-Dack, M. (2015). Artistic Practice as Research in Music: Theory, Criticism, Practice. New edition. Farnham, Surrey, UK ; Burlington, VT: Ashgate
  • Ingold, T. (2013) Making: Anthropology, Archaeology, Art and Architecture. London and New York: Routledge
  • Smith, H. and Dean, R. T. (2009). Practice-led research, research-led practice in the creative arts. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.Chicago Press.

Online resources

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_uk_eu_main_fee.name) }} per year

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

If you are studying a Masters course you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan, this may help contribute towards your course fees and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including awards for specific subjects.

Awards for music students are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Sara Mcguinness Profile Photo

Dr Sara McGuinness

I have worked extensively with musicians around the world, exploring the links between music, culture and identity. My specialisms are practice-based research, performance and sound recording, with a focus on Congolese and Cuban music. I have also taught in the National Conservatoire in Bamako, Mali, run a Cuban Big Band here in the UK and teach regular music courses in Cuba.

I have worked extensively with musicians around the world, exploring the links between music, culture and identity. My specialisms are practice-based research, performance and sound recording, with a focus on Congolese and Cuban music. I have also taught in the National Conservatoire in Bamako, Mali, run a Cuban Big Band here in the UK and teach regular music courses in Cuba.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

Music performance (popular)

Not only does studying at Masters level allow you to broaden your skill set and depth of specialist knowledge, but It also gives you a head start in the increasingly competitive employment market.

As well as performance skills, you will have gained a broad range of transferable skills including: 

  • a broad knowledge of a diverse range of musical styles 
  • an ability to engage in professional dialogue 
  • an ability to work effectively with others.

Once you graduate you could go on to work as a: 

  • performer
  • musical director
  • educator
  • academic.

We have a growing research community and you may want to take your studies further with a PhD. Please see our full list of courses.

How to apply

How to apply

ARTSFEST

Singer

Find out more about the work our students produce and view some of their recent work by visiting our Music Performance and Composition ARTSFEST page.

Facilities

Facilities

Lawrence Hall, a black box theatre at the University of West London

Performance spaces

Our flexible, professionally-equipped performance spaces include Lawrence Hall, a 200-seat black box studio theatre, and Vestry Hall, a classical music performance space featuring a Steinway B Concert Grand piano, concert tuned percussion and seating for up to 150 

Production Studio 1 at the University of West London

Production studios

We have four black box production rooms featuring performance dance floors, ballet barres, wall mirrors and ¾ drapes. All rooms have PA and AV support in all rooms. The digital stage pianos are by Roland.

A music practice room at the University of West London

One-to-one teaching pods

We have five acoustically isolated teaching pods featuring Roland and Korg digital pianos and mirrors to facilitate one-to-one teaching in voice.

A music performance room at the University of West London

Music performance rooms

All music performance rooms feature drums and backline plus PA support.

  • Drums by Roland and Pearl.
  • Backline by Marshall, Orange, Line 6, Fender and Gallien-Kruger
  • Stage pianos by Korg and Roland
  • Synths by Roland and Kurzwiel
  • PA by Yamaha, ABT and Nexo.
Basement practice room at the University of West London

Basement practice rooms

  • All LCM practice rooms benefit from LCM’s All Steinway School status to bring you the very best instruments.
  • Three percussion practice and teaching rooms.
  • Percussion rooms feature Pearl kits with recording and playback systems.
Media Resource Centre at the University of West London

Media Resource Centre

At our Media Resource Centre (used by all subject areas) you'll find extensive portable audio recording systems, including up to 24 track digital HD recording and portable Focusrite RedNet systems.

There is also video-camera and accessory support, including LED and tungsten lighting systems, track and dolly systems and stedi-cam rigs.

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.