How to prepare for your Master's degree in Music

Studying your postgraduate degree with us soon? If you’re eager to get a head start with your studies, have a look below at the different tips and resources you can start using right now to prepare for your course.

Reflect and write

Take some time to think about what you want to get out of studying the course. What skills do you want to develop or strengthen? What are your career aspirations and how can this course help you achieve them?

Write down your ideas and consider how you might improve those skills in order to achieve your goals. Like all plans, things might change over time, but it’s important to have an idea of your ultimate goal and how you might get there.

Whatever you intend to do, like most creative jobs there is more than one way of making it in this industry – research the pathways or options you have and consider what feels best for you.

Network and follow

Start building networks and get to know people who you will be studying, performing and working with. It might also help you with your preparation if you’ll be travelling or moving to Birmingham.

Take a look at:

If English is not your first language…

Practice your English skills as much as you can prior to the start of your course, including speaking, listening, reading and writing. Getting more confident communicating in English will give you a head start when you arrive.

Here are some podcasts, tv programmes, and websites that might come in handy:

See and hear as much as you can

When you’re about to start studying music, there’s no better way to prepare than to immerse yourself in sound. Get out and about as often as your schedule and budget allows, and see as many gigs, performances and concerts as possible! Try out new genres and venues and make some notes about what resonated with you and what didn’t.

Get physical

After spending months studying or hunched over a laptop, it’s time to get away from your desk and move your body. Staying active is an important part of musical performance too: Want to improve your lung capacity? Get your running shoes on! If your posture could use some work, roll out that yoga mat!

It’ll stand you in good stead for next year too, as finding some exercise you love will give you a welcome break from rehearsals and is a low-cost way to de-stress.

Get inspired

Inspiration can come from unlikely places. If you’re a composition student, why not look for some musical ideas from different sources? Visit art galleries, take photographs, get out into nature or a bustling city centre, and see what captures your imagination.

Play for fun!

You’ve no doubt been working hard over the last year to prepare for auditions, probably practicing the same few pieces over and over. Take a break from the monotony and play or sing for fun. Learn some new pieces or revisit some old favourites and remind yourself why you’re excited to be joining us this year!