Queen's University Belfast

Source: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/music-performance-ba-w310/ Parent: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/

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Undergraduate 2027

Undergraduate 2025

BA | Undergraduate

Music Performance

Apply via UCAS Register Interest

Entry year : Academic Year 2027/28

Entry requirements : ABB

Attendance : 3 years (Full-time) \

UCAS Code : W310

Overview
Course content
Modules
Entry requirements
Careers
Fees and funding
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The BA in Music Performance is a course that focuses on practice and is aimed primarily at students who wish to pursue a professional career in performance. The degree is distinguished by its inclusive approach and will have broad appeal to musicians who specialise in one or more of a range of performing traditions, including classical, folk, traditional, pop, rock, jazz, singer/songwriter, electronic and experimental. Students gain extensive experience of performing in solo, ensemble and improvised settings in addition to developing skills for performing in the recording studio and the use of technology in performance practice. \ Students will have access to world leading facilities and concert spaces, including the Sonic Lab which is housed in the world-renowned SARC facility. Teaching is delivered by a team of dedicated staff with a wide ranging expertise covering music performance, improvisation, composition and audio engineering.

Course highlights

Global Opportunities

Students may opt to spend a semester or a year studying abroad. The School has links with a number of international institutions including Sibelius Academy (University of the Arts Helsinki), University of Groningen, Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espetáculo do Porto (Instituto Politecnico do Porto), Université Français Rabelais Tours, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and Technological Educational Institute of Crete.

http://www.go.qub.ac.uk/Erasmus-StudyAbroad

Professional Accreditations

The School is an Avid Learning Partner with certified instructors in both Media Composer video editing software and Pro Tools audio editing software. \ Undergraduates at the school have the opportunity to be certified in editing and notations software used in both the Film and Audio Industries as an additional qualification outside their course. The cost of these courses ranges from £20 to £90 per course. \ The school offers the following additional certifications:\ MC101 | Media Composer Editing Essentials\ MC110 | Media Composer Effects Essentials \ PT101 | Pro Tools Fundamentals I\ PT110 | Pro Tools Fundamentals II\ PT130 | Pro Tools for Game Audio\ PT201 | Pro Tools Production I\ PT210M | Pro Tools Production II (Music Production)\ SB101 | Sibelius Fundamentals I\ SB110 | Sibelius Fundamentals II\ https://www.avid.com/education/certification

https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Discover/AvidTraining/

Industry Links

The School benefits from strong industry partnerships including BBC NI, Ulster Orchestra, Opera NI, Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble, Cathedral Arts Festival, Moving on Music, Diatribe Records, DTS and Dolby.\ We currently have a partnership with the Ulster Orchestra that means our performance classes are regularly co-mentored by Ulster Orchestra players.

http://go.qub.ac.uk/PerformanceUOPartnership

World Class Facilities

The School is one of the largest and best equipped institutions in the UK working in the field of music and sound. Students on the BA in Music Performance have access to state-of-the-art audio resources including two dedicated computer suites, \ ten sound studios and the world’s first Sonic Laboratory – a unique performance space capable of three-dimensional sound\ projection.\ \ StageBox was opened in 2025 as a specialist teaching space for music performance, with staging, sound systems and lighting that resemble a small venue.\ \ The Sonic Laboratory at SARC: Centre for Research in Sound and Music could best be thought of as a 'cinema for the ear' - a specialist acoustic space designed to provide a unique and immersive listening experience - the auditory equivalent of an IMAX cinema. Eighty-four loudspeakers, strategically located, project and move sounds throughout the 360 degrees of the space, including above and underneath the audience. The Sonic Lab was designed with an acoustically transparent, modular grid floor suspended 4m above the basement level. No other auditorium for sonic art performance and experimentation currently exists with this revolutionary feature. The provision of this facility gives Northern Ireland a unique and pioneering role in a rapidly developing field.\ \ The Sonic Lab is a flexible space used for teaching, public concerts, screenings, installations and for developing and implementing cutting edge research linked to the emerging creative industries. As an engineering research facility, the Sonic Laboratory provides unique opportunities to develop and test new ideas relating to virtual reality / augmented reality, immersive media, Dolby Atmos, loudspeaker design, music perception, musical interactions, new instrument design and sound engineering.

Our Music Building was built at the same time as the main Queen's Lanyon Building. It was originally the Student's Union and Canteen.\ We have the beautiful Harty Room concert hall, The Old McMordie Hall teaching room, a large Lecture Room, smaller teaching rooms, a basement full of practice rooms, 2 recording studios and social spaces for students to meet. \ HARTY ROOM\ With a splendid hammer-beam vaulted roof and warm acoustic, the Harty Room (seating 120) is situated within the Music building where the regular lunchtime recitals and evening concerts take place. It is also the main rehearsal space for choirs and orchestras at Queen’s. It houses two full- concert Steinway grand pianos, a double- manual harpsichord, fortepiano, chamber organ and many percussion instruments.\ The Harty Room is also equipped with a large projector screen and audio PA system suitable for events such as concerts and seminars.\ MCMORDIE HALL\ This spacious room with colourful light beaming through its beautiful stained-glass window is one of two main lecturing spaces within the School of Music building. It also houses many of our early keyboard instruments, three small ones on the balcony and the heavier ones on the ground floor.\ SIR WILLIAM WHITLA HALL\ This is the University’s principal venue for orchestral concerts, conferences and exhibitions and it hosts the graduation ceremonies each June and December. The Whitla Hall also houses a Steinway concert grand and a magnificent three- manual organ by Compton, renovated by Hill, Norman and Beard.\ \ The link below is a student-led video tour of the building.

SARC: Centre for Research in Sound and Music is a custom built state-of-the-art audio resource that includes two dedicated computer suites, ten sound studios and the world’s first Sonic Laboratory – a unique performance space capable of three-dimensional sound projection.\ Since its founding in 2001, SARC has become a globally recognised institute for music-based practice and research, broadly conceived. SARC brings together researchers in composition, performance, musicology, computing for musical applications, acoustics and perception, sound recording, interaction design, broadcast, critical improvisation studies, sound art, aesthetics and media theory. A purpose designed building with a state-of-the-art Sonic Laboratory and multichannel studios was opened by Karlheinz Stockhausen in 2004 during the Sonorities Festival, which is hosted biennially by SARC. \ \ SARC also includes associate members based in computer engineering, anthropology, psychology and architecture who are involved in research collaborations and co-supervision of PhD students, to form a research environment with diverse academics and postgraduate students. SARC regularly hosts visiting artists and scholars and has ongoing research collaborations with international institutions including Stanford University, University of São Paulo, IRCAM, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, McGill University, Bach-Archiv Leipzig, Stony Brook University, Orpheus Institute and University of Oxford. SARC also has formal professional partnerships with high profile local artists and ensembles including the Ulster Orchestra, Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble and Duke Special, of which the latter two are currently employed as Industry Professionals.\ The link below is a student-led video tour of the building.

http://go.qub.ac.uk/Sonic-Lab

http://go.qub.ac.uk/Musictour

http://go.qub.ac.uk/SARCtour

Internationally Renowned Experts

Many of our staff are leading international experts in their fields of research. Additionally, the School employs a number Industry Fellows – internationally renowned professionals in their fields of composition, performance, song-writing, sound engineering and music production.\ \ We also run a series of research seminars and lunchtime concerts with guest speakers/performers joining us each term.

hthttp://go.qub.ac.uk/EventsListings

Student Experience

Northern Ireland has an exceptional track record for producing outstanding musical talent and has a unique identity within the\ global music industry. Belfast is the creative hub of the Northern Irish music industry and students on this programme will contribute\ to the vibrant musical life of both the University and the wider city.\ \ The Music Department at Queen's is a very welcoming and friendly department. Even though we work across two buildings, both are good venues for a sociable and relaxed student experience.

All BA Music Performance students are awarded a generous performance bursary that covers the cost of ALL practical performance tuition for both solo and ensemble performance modules. These performance bursaries are provided across all three years of the programme.

Download our new Music Programmes Brochure here!

http://go.qub.ac.uk/MusicatQueens

http://go.qub.ac.uk/MusicBrochure

Further Study Opportunities

Further study, including Master's programmes, is also an option; see the School website for further information. Graduates of this degree will be eligible to undertake the postgraduate study such as the MRes and PhD programmes.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/arts-humanities-mres/

"Studying Music Performance at Queens has gone far beyond my expectations of how much I would enjoy the course. The lecturers/tutors are genuinely interested in each pupil and endeavour to see you reach your full potential. The music department is truly mind blowing with the highest level of equipment provided for our use. I am so excited as to what the next three years will bring and am confident in the knowledge that when I graduate, I will be fully prepared for an exciting career in music."\ Jessica Walker

It seems only yesterday I was starting my BA Music Performance Degree at Queens. Now, having completed my final year, I have thoroughly enjoyed the vast music resources and teaching Queens has to offer. My weekly vocal lessons with my tutor Debra Stuart and continuous platform performances over the past three years, have enhanced not only my vocal skills, but my confidence to perform, a key skill for any upcoming musician. Similarly, having a keen interest in performance, Queens allows me to select modules which best reflect this. This was especially evident in my final year which included modules such as Double Performance and A Night at the Opera. Under the direction of Dr. Sarah McCleave, my colleagues and I developed our vocal and acting skills, moulding us into more rounded performers throughout the module. Furthermore, I had the pleasure of attending weekly rehearsals for Queens Chamber Choir in my final year. Directed by Donal McCrisken, I continued to learn and develop my vocal skills within a choir outside of teaching based facilities.\ \ Music at Queens has also provided me with many challenges throughout the degree. Some modules have been outside my comfort zone, providing new obstacles and insights into areas I would have previously overlooked. I found this was particularly evident in my first year, being introduced to the materials offered by the Sonic Arts Research Centre. Here I was immersed in classes such as Audio Mixing and Sound Synthesis, areas where I have had no previous experience. During these times, I have found the staff to be more than welcoming in providing guidance and assistance for myself as a student. Furthermore, the support found in the department is also reflected through my colleagues. Over the years, their encouragement and continuous appraisal has made me more determined to advance my passion for singing further. Therefore, studying Music at Queens presents numerous opportunities to develop your musicianship skills whether this is through performances or academic learning in a friendly working environment.\ Lauren McCann, Voice

No matter where your interests or expertise lie in music, there is something for you here at Queen's. From your first day, you will be able to explore your passions, and discover new ones, with the wide variety of modules that are offered, and be guided every step of the way by the incredible staff, and industry professionals.\ When I applied, I was worried that as a drummer with limited musical theory knowledge, I may fall behind or struggle, but this was definitely not the case. In my three years here, I have studied my instrument, learnt how to play new instruments, learnt how to record, mix and\ master audio, developed performance skills, improved my musicianship, and found new passions for film composing and songwriting, among many other things! There is a unique pathway for everyone to find, and with help from the amazing community of staff, students and professionals here, you never know where that journey will take you next.\ Matty Irvine, Drum Kit

"Studying Music Performance at Queens has gone far beyond my expectations of how much I would enjoy the course. The lecturers/tutors are genuinely interested in each pupil and endeavour to see you reach your full potential. The music department is truly mind blowing with the highest level of equipment provided for our use. I am so excited as to what the next three years will bring and am confident in the knowledge that when I graduate, I will be fully prepared for an exciting career in music."\ Jessica Walker

It seems only yesterday I was starting my BA Music Performance Degree at Queens. Now, having completed my final year, I have thoroughly enjoyed the vast music resources and teaching Queens has to offer. My weekly vocal lessons with my tutor Debra Stuart and continuous platform performances over the past three years, have enhanced not only my vocal skills, but my confidence to perform, a key skill for any upcoming musician. Similarly, having a keen interest in performance, Queens allows me to select modules which best reflect this. This was especially evident in my final year which included modules such as Double Performance and A Night at the Opera. Under the direction of Dr. Sarah McCleave, my colleagues and I developed our vocal and acting skills, moulding us into more rounded performers throughout the module. Furthermore, I had the pleasure of attending weekly rehearsals for Queens Chamber Choir in my final year. Directed by Donal McCrisken, I continued to learn and develop my vocal skills within a choir outside of teaching based facilities.\ \ Music at Queens has also provided me with many challenges throughout the degree. Some modules have been outside my comfort zone, providing new obstacles and insights into areas I would have previously overlooked. I found this was particularly evident in my first year, being introduced to the materials offered by the Sonic Arts Research Centre. Here I was immersed in classes such as Audio Mixing and Sound Synthesis, areas where I have had no previous experience. During these times, I have found the staff to be more than welcoming in providing guidance and assistance for myself as a student. Furthermore, the support found in the department is also reflected through my colleagues. Over the years, their encouragement and continuous appraisal has made me more determined to advance my passion for singing further. Therefore, studying Music at Queens presents numerous opportunities to develop your musicianship skills whether this is through performances or academic learning in a friendly working environment.\ Lauren McCann, Voice

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