• Undergraduate

Performance and Music Management with Foundation Year BMus (Hons)

Overview

Overview

Why study at UWL? 
  • UWL is the second London modern university for Music, Complete University Guide 2024
  • In the top 30% of universities nationwide - The Guardian University Guide 2024 
  • University of the Year for Social Inclusion - Daily Mail University Guide 2024 
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 
  • Number 1 London university (non-specialist) - National Student Survey 2023** 

Are you interested in a career in the music industry? The BMus (Hons) Performance and Music Management is the perfect course if you want to take control of managing your career while gaining studio knowledge to perform basic recordings.

As such, this degree has a heavy focus on learning how the industry works and how you can empower yourself as a pragmatic, well-informed creative business entrepreneur.

The degree recognises that modern performing artists are no longer just performing artists. They require a solid – industry-focussed – managerial foundation, a high level of performing ability, a knowledge of musical concepts, and a strong creative drive.

All BMus (Hons) Performance and Music Management students will have access to digital distribution with no upfront cost for their musical endeavours during their studies to promote student-led entrepreneurship and a strong creative community via the university record label.

As part of a University-wide scholarship, students enrolling on the BA (Hons) Music Management course in the coming academic year will receive a free pair of Sennheiser headphones as well as multiple key textbooks upon enrolment.

Foundation Year

The foundation year course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to continue onto your Honours degree. You will study a range of subjects that will underpin your future study and also gain valuable experience of university life, with full access to campus facilities. Successful completion of the year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course.

View some of our students' recent work.

A pop singer performing with a band in a rehearsal studio

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 and Music Management with Foundation Year with us?

Why study Performance and Music Management with Foundation Year with us?

What our students say…

I'd describe my university experience as absolutely fantastic. The atmosphere and being around like-minded people was my favourite aspect of university life.The tutors were great.

Steve Goody
Next
£1m+ investment in the Paragon Annex Studios. Our studio complex is now one of the largest in Europe.
Graphic advising that you will receive one-to-one music lessons
The London College of Music is an all-Steinway school
London College of Music: founded in 1887
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

This course at the London College of Music (LCM) offers you a fantastic range of music career options, thanks to its balance of professional and practical skills development. Around half the course is focused on performance with the other half split across:

  • songwriting and arrangement
  • the music industry
  • management and promotion

This allows you to concentrate on the areas of study you are most interested in, building your abilities and knowledge across:

  • musicianship, with one-to-one tuition and workshops
  • writing, composition and arranging
  • stagecraft and performance
  • band leadership / musical directorship
  • marketing and PR
  • entrepreneurship

The transferable self-management and marketing skills you will build are suitable for a wide range of music industry jobs. In addition, you will have the option to study live sound, music education or experimental sound.

There will also be exciting opportunities to perform and collaborate with other LCM artists and musicians. You will be able to form bands and ensembles, put on showcases and shows, and join recording and production sessions as a musician or producer.

In your first year, you will learn a varied repertoire in weekly music performance workshops, develop your music theory knowledge, explore composition and learn about producing music videos.

For year two, you will take things a stage further, adding to your performance repertoire and developing your understanding of the music industry.

During your third year, you will be playing showcases and other performances, and undertaking a music management project. This is alongside exploring the entrepreneurial aspect of being a performing artist.

During your studies you will have access to high-quality music facilities with an extensive complex of studios equipped to a professional specification. To find out more, see our LCM facilities.

Foundation year

There are many reasons for joining a foundation year course; you may not have the exact subjects or grades at A level to meet the entry requirements, you may have been living abroad or want to change direction with your career. Whatever your starting point, the foundation year offers a firm grounding in the skills and knowledge that you will need to get the most from your studies and thrive at University. Successful completion of the foundation year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course

Course subject to approval

Approval is the formal process by which the University ensures that the proposed design, content and delivery of a course will provide a high quality learning experience for all students.

Compulsory modules

  • Academic Performance

    This module allows you to further develop a range of transferable skills that you will demonstrate in your own subject-specific studies and apply to a final piece of written work at the end of the module. The module is designed for you to further develop your skills in a range of academic, investigative and research techniques including how to evaluate and select evidence appropriate to your discipline from a range of learning resources. The module also aims to develop your critical thinking and writing strategies, encouraging you to become aware of personal learning development and to apply the introductory skills learned in your first semester in order to produce a final piece of academic writing relevant to your discipline.

  • Sound Production Workshop

    This module will provide the fundamental skills required to be successful in analogue studio-based work, exploring technique through supported practice. The module will focus on the fundamental skills of signal routing between hardware devices typical in modern studios. 

  • Introduction to Performance

  • Personalised Learning

    The Personalised Learning module is intended to equip you with the study skills needed to successfully progress onto level 4, the first year of undergraduate study. Tutor group sessions are an integral part of the module, where you will consolidate your learning and frame it in the context of your subject area. The module will focus on various aspects of study skills, such as those skills related to reading and writing, learning approaches, problem-solving techniques, critical thinking, researching, referencing, plagiarism, legal research and time management.

  • Performance Studies

  • Introduction to Contemporary Production Studies

    Making music involves understanding how it works – the sounds and the structures – and in this module you will examine the way that others have made music and use some of those ideas to make your own productions. You will explore musical structure, rhythm, melody, harmony, instruments and how computers represent those sounds on a screen.

Compulsory modules

  • Performance for Recording

    Performance for Recording will help students develop the required skills needed to perform in a studio recording environment to a high standard. The module will help students to develop the playing skills specific to the studio environment and increase student’s understanding to different recording and musical approaches. Performance for Recording runs in Semester 1 and is an introduction to the performance strand in the learning journey. It covers a comprehensive overview of contemporary studio practice and the specific concepts relevant to performing for the recording process.

    The module will extend listening, playing, and organisational techniques required to operate as an effective session musician. The module is also s fun introduction to the recording studio facilities at UWL. This module is also supported by extra instrumental lessons so that students can continue to develop their musical skills in their chosen instrument.

  • Recording Theory

    Recording Theory is a broad module introducing a variety of topics vital to the field of music technology. It also serves as a base for the more practical and technically orientated modules in the music technology degree courses at LCM/UWL. It is a key module designed to equip students with a grounding in the core knowledge and techniques germane to the disciplinary nature of the music technology courses.

    The module aims to provide the student with a solid grounding in the theory, techniques and terminology associated with contemporary acoustic and digital recording practice, as well as ensuring a fundamental grasp of the basic physics of sound and sound propagation.

  • The Management Role

    The Management Role is an introductory module for level 4 students. The module provides students with the basic under-pinning, and historical grounding required to understand and navigate the UK music industry. By the end of the module students will have the knowledge necessary to begin investigation into specialised fields of advanced music management.

  • Situated Performance

    After the performance for studio module, students are encouraged to explore a range of different performance styles. Situated Performance runs in Semester 2 and is designed to enhance student’s interaction with different performance environments as well as different types of audience. The module will extend listening, playing, and organisational techniques required to operate as an effective performer while considering the limitations of different performance situations. Performance for Audience will help students develop the required skills needed to perform as an ensemble no matter where they are.

  • Recording Practice

    Recording Practice will help you develop the required skills needed to operate studio recording technology to a high standard. The module will further the listening skills covered in Recording Theory and will increase your sensitivity to different recording and musical contexts. It covers a comprehensive overview of contemporary studio technology and the recording process.

    The module will also extend ear-training techniques and examine each component of studio technology in detail. In addition, it will address how the techniques of recording are coupled to the technology, providing each student with a backbone of knowledge designed to help the recording demands of the second year.

  • Contracts and Law

    This module is a key foundation to understanding the principles and doctrines of UK Law that are commonplace in the media and music industry.

    With this module, you will gain an understanding of current UK legal practices and requirements of the music and entertainment industries. This will inform you how future business ideas can develop and provide long-term income. There will be an introduction to reading typical contracts and understanding their legal standing and limitations.

Compulsory modules

  • Career Strategies

    Career Strategies is a module that encourages students to evaluate and understand their potential career in the music industry. Students will attend lectures and workshops to evaluate the multiple opportunities available to them when they complete their degree. The module aims to calibrate their career goals at an early stage in their professional development. At the end of this module students will have a clear idea of how to maximise the rest of their degree to aim for a career specific to their skillsets.

  • Leading in Performance

    At this point in the performance journey, students have learned to adapt to various settings and investigated their own artistic voice. Having learned these skills, the students now need to learn how to lead other musicians to achieve their artistic vision. Leading in Performance is a workshop-based module designed to assist students in achieving their musical leadership goals using a combination of group management and musical literacy skills.

    This module will culminate in a scenario where students will lead a performance of two songs with only one rehearsal to prepare for the concert. The aim of this module is for students to assume leadership roles and drive a small team of musicians in an experience similar to that of a late-night TV show house band.

  • Performance Artistry

    Having completed the level 4 performance subjects, students move from the practical aspects of performing in a variety of settings to the more artistic exploration of what it means to be a performer. Performance Artistry is an advanced performance subject designed to develop students' understanding of their role as a content creator and a performer. As such, the module functions in a similar manner to a record label artist development (A&R) department. This module gives performance students a deeper understanding of their relationship to the music industry.

     

  • Brand Development

    The module will consider a variety of current approaches to visual based marketing campaigns. It will educate students in the visual aspects of social media activities, examining the various perspectives drawn from a combination of theoretical research and practical engagement.

    Students will simulate the role of a digital marketer; they will plan campaigns using a mix of creative approaches suitable for the contemporary music industry. Completing this module will equip students with vital digital content creation and marketing skills applicable to the current creative marketing environment.

  • Research Methods for Performance

    The module offers you the opportunity to:

    • engage with applied research methods using ethnographic, autoethnographic and theoretical approaches

    • critically reflect on your own creative practice through a process of data collection and stimulated recall

    • assimilate and reflect upon the creative practice and research activity of staff and postgraduate research students

    • use these research techniques in conjunction with academic reading to develop a research question that will form the basis for your level 6 major project module

    • effectively communicate ideas through a combination of verbal and multimedia presentation formats.

  • Understanding Music Publishing

    This module is designed to develop the students’ understanding of music publishing, and the surrounding infrastructure that supports this important music revenue stream. Such associated infrastructure includes, collection societies, advertising agencies, and other musical trade bodies. It will investigate their membership, their roles, and their primary function within the industry of licensing songs and recordings, as well as, distributing income to intellectual property rights holders. At the end of this module, students will have a fundamental understanding of this often-invisible income stream.

Compulsory modules

  • Performance and Management Project

    The performance and management project is a self-directed module that allows students to showcase the skills and abilities developed during the previous years of study. The module spans the whole academic year and provides students with the opportunity to develop a recording and performance based on a particular stylistic interest. It is expected that the recording and performance is clearly related to the content of the course, and displays an understanding of how to record, perform, and launch music to a wider audience.

  • Performance for Audience

    Performance for audience is a collaborative module that encourages students to stretch their musical boundaries and develop longer thematically connected musical performances. In this module students must generate 25-minute performances that both sustain performance energy and deliver a well curated musical experience for audiences. In this module students demonstrate a mastery of performance logistics, musical organisation, and audience engagement.

  • Digital Marketing

    In this module students will take their previously acquired industry knowledge and further their skills using applied scenarios. The module is broken into two parts that will cover both theoretical underpinnings and applied learning scenarios. In the first section, students will engage with broad theoretical concepts that underpin digital marketing and will apply these to current market exemplars. The second section will focus on the demonstration of previously acquired knowledge and skill sets in an applied learning scenario. At the end of this module students will be capable of assembling teams and developing complex marketing campaigns for industry leading acts.

  • Performance for Industry

    Performance for industry is the culminating performance experience where level 6 students have the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of performance to a panel of industry experts. Students will propose and design a performance event in consultation with the module tutor that represents their aesthetic journey as an artist and performer.

  • Portfolio Development

    This module focuses on the development of your portfolio career. Increasingly, the successful modern freelancer requires a diverse range of skill sets in:

    • writing styles
    • technique
    • arrangement
    • production
    • the ability to expand your client base and income streams.

    Workflow demands will be examined in a time managed ethos to allow best practice. The module also explores creative outlets, future facing opportunities and residual income streams to allow you to pursue a career as a music professional whilst developing your portfolio.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

72 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

We require you to have a minimum standard of musical ability - currently Grade 6 performance (on your stated first instrument, or voice), alongside Grade 5 Music Theory and sight-reading at Grade 5 or 6. We will audition you if you believe you meet the required standard but have no formal qualifications.

Looking for BMus (Hons) Performance and Music Management without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

We take pride in our inclusiveness and the diversity of our student population. We have a vibrant mature student community and look forward to welcoming you.

Looking for BMus (Hons) Performance and Music Management without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
5.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the four 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.

We require you to have a minimum standard of musical ability - currently Grade 6 performance (on your stated first instrument, or voice), alongside Grade 5 Music Theory and sight-reading at Grade 5 or 6. We will audition you if you believe you meet the required standard but have no formal qualifications.

Looking for BMus (Hons) Performance and Music Management without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

We take pride in our inclusiveness and the diversity of our student population. We have a vibrant mature student community and look forward to welcoming you.

Looking for BMus (Hons) Performance and Music Management without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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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

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. In recent years, hundreds of students on a four-year degree with a foundation year have received our Path to Success Scholarship.

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

Ben Bushell

Ben Bushell

Course leader for BA(Hons) Music Management at the University of West London. Ben has worked as manager at some of the UKs most successful management companies such as ATC management and Ferocious Talent. He has over 100 million streams across his current management roster. Ben previously lectured at the University of Westminster.

Course leader for BA(Hons) Music Management at the University of West London. Ben has worked as manager at some of the UKs most successful management companies such as ATC management and Ferocious Talent. He has over 100 million streams across his current management roster. Ben previously lectured at the University of Westminster.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A female singer on stage surrounded by a male band

The course can open up a wide range of interesting career opportunities for you. Once you graduate you could work:

  • as a recording artist
  • in recording studios
  • as a session musician
  • on tours or cruise ships
  • in schools and colleges, teaching and passing on your skills
  • as a music promoter
  • for record labels and music management companies

You could also advance your studies in another area of the music industry. Please see our postgraduate 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.