

BMus (Hons) Music – Instrumental and Vocal
Award:
BMus (Hons) Music – Instrumental and Vocal
Awarding body:
University of South Wales
Location of study:
Cardiff (RWCMD and Old Library)
Start date:
19 September 2027
Duration:
Four years full time
Course code:
300F - UCAS Conservatoires
Introduction
Study at Wales’s national conservatoire with our flagship BMus (Hons) programme. This four-year conservatoire course offers professional music training with one-to-one tuition and real-world performance experience in outstanding facilities. Designed for vocalists and instrumentalists, the course develops your artistry and technique, preparing you for a wide range of music careers in today’s music industry.
Why choose the BMus at RWCMD?
Train at one of the UK’s top music conservatoires
RWCMD is widely regarded as one of the best places to study music in the UK. Our BMus (Hons) Music course offers world-class one-to-one tuition alongside professional training designed to prepare you for a sustainable career in the music industry.
Specialist tuition from industry leaders
You’ll receive weekly one-to-one and group lessons in your main area of study, known as your 'principal study'. Our tutors include internationally acclaimed performers, composers, conductors, and principal players from major orchestras and ensembles. They offer not just technical guidance but also mentorship and valuable insight into the professional world of music.
Performance-focused training from day one
From the moment you arrive, you’ll take part in performances – in concerts, ensembles, opera productions, and masterclasses. These experiences are a core part of your training, helping you develop as a confident, adaptable performer.
Professional experience and industry links
Our strong partnerships with leading arts organisations and world-renowned opera companies and orchestras in Cardiff, including Welsh National Opera and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Experience schemes and placements are open to you to apply as an undergraduate music student, helping you build connections and practical insight into life as a working musician.
A creative, collaborative conservatoire community
You can collaborate with students from across the College, from acting to design, building the skills and confidence to work creatively across different art forms.
Study in a dynamic arts centre environment
RWCMD is a working arts centre in the heart of Cardiff, home to an internationally recognised public performance programme. Each year the College welcomes acclaimed artists from across the globe, and you’ll be encouraged to attend as many events as possible – either for free or at a discounted student rate.
Live in Wales' capital city
Cardiff is a friendly, affordable, and creative place to live. As a student, you will be part of a thriving music and arts scene, with major venues on your doorstep and chances to get involved in performances, community outreach, and professional events.
What you’ll study – BMus course structure
Our music course takes you on an exploration of artistic development, with practical training and experiences closely connected to today’s music industries.
As part of your bespoke training, you’ll take part in individual and group lessons, performance classes and masterclasses with some of the industry’s most acclaimed performers. You will also participate in the choral project and a broad range of ensemble and orchestral activities. These are supported by key professional studies modules, specifically designed to develop every aspect of your musicianship and help you prepare for your future career.
You can explore a broad range of musical genres – including classical, Welsh traditional, jazz and contemporary repertoires – as well as keep up to date with the ever-changing aspects and exciting new opportunities of the music industry.
Connect with communities
You’ll have opportunities to engage with diverse audiences and share your work with communities throughout Wales. This might include community performances, schools’ music workshops, educational outreach and other community-based projects.
Discover an inclusive selection of music
In our Music and Society modules, you’ll examine how music has been used to drive social change, examining the key factors that led to the creation of diverse repertoires. Exploring a more inclusive range of music, you can choose to study works by LGBTIQA+ artists, as well as composers and artists from the global majority.
Become an ethically minded and self-aware artist
You’ll also be supported to develop your own ethical and sustainable working practices, helping you build awareness, professionalism and communication skills for the career path you’d like to follow when you graduate.
Over the course of your degree, you’ll need to complete 180 credits at level 4, 180 at level 5, and 120 at level 6 to graduate with a BMus (Hons) Music degree, validated by the University of South Wales.
'RWCMD has its own unique stamp, and you feel that as soon as you walk into the building. What’s particularly striking is its openness, and I think that is because of the real commitment from staff and students to exchange knowledge in an atmosphere of tremendous support. You can see how the students would carry that through into their professional lives.'Errollyn WallenComposer and RWCMD Artist in Residence
Musical performance and collaboration opportunities
- Performance is a central part of your training, with a wide range of opportunities to play in public – from orchestras and opera productions to in-house ensembles. This also includes your performance assessments, which will typically take place in front of an audience, allowing you to build your platform and artistic performance skills, as well as connect with audiences on a regular basis.
- You’ll not only hone your technical and artistic skills with some of the industry’s leading practitioners, but you’ll have opportunities to perform and work on a range of student-led projects from departments across the College – from different instrumental/vocal disciplines through to acting and design.
- You’ll have the opportunity to take masterclasses with some of the industry’s most acclaimed international artists, gaining valuable insight into the professional world of music.
- Our students are encouraged to take part in external competitions throughout their time here. Major events – such as BBC Cardiff Singer of the World and World Stage Design – have also been hosted on our campus.
- Students here have opportunities to perform or rehearse in venues including Dora Stoutzker Hall – our flagship concert venue – along with a range of state-of-the-art facilities across our music school.
Our departments and areas of study

Brass department

Composition and Creative Music Technology department

Conducting department

Guitar department

Harp department

Jazz department

Piano department

Percussion department

Strings department

Vocal department

Woodwind department
Frequently asked questions
Need advice before applying?
Our admissions team are happy to help with any questions about entry requirements, auditions or life at RWCMD. Email admissions@rwcmd.ac.uk to get started.
Graduate success and career pathways
Our graduates go on to successful careers across the music industry – from orchestral performance and opera to composing for film, TV and games, or leading music education projects and ensembles. They work with leading organisations including Welsh National Opera, BBC NOW and the Royal Opera House.

BMus graduate Kina Miyamoto - Composer

BMus graduate Elliott Kempton - Violinist

BMus graduate Rachel Starritt - Pianist
Life at RWCMD

Accommodation

Student support

Living in Cardiff
Ready to begin your conservatoire journey?
Join a community of passionate, talented musicians at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Whether you’re preparing for a career in the creative industries or looking to shape the future of music education, your path starts here.
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Find out more about studying music at RWCMD

Music

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