Introduction
Study at an award-winning university
We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Our BA (Hons) Music Performance will challenge your creativity. You’ll learn to analyse and deconstruct existing modes of performance, songwriting and composition before finding your own way to create new performances or rework the music of others.
As the course develops, you’ll examine increasingly complex performance scenarios, using them to inform aspects of your own live work. Weekly performance workshops in Year 2 will help you hone your stagecraft in particular styles of performance, while analysis seminars will allow you to explore vocal and instrument techniques by genre.
As a Music Performance student at ARU, you'll create a diverse portfolio of work and learn up-to-date techniques that will prepare you for the modern collaborative creative industries, whether you want to perform and release your own music, create soundtracks for films and games, or play in a band or orchestra.
Our Drama and Dance courses, including Music Performance, ranked 13th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025, with 92% for “satisfied with teaching”.
Join a course ranked 2nd in the UK for the Teaching on my Course and 4th for Learning Opportunities in the National Student Survey 2024.
Course options
Key facts
Entry Requirements
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Fees and Paying for University
Student experience
The Landscape Musician: student experiences in Finland
ARU students Emily Cole and Ben Brown share their experience of working in Finland with renowned guitarist and composer Mike Keneally.
The Landscape Musician: collaboration with Mike Keneally in Finland
Hear students Emily Cole and Ben Brown's work with renowned guitarist and composer Mike Keneally as part of Dr Chanan Hanspal's The Landscape Musician research project.
Phil Harding masterclass
Legendary pop producer Phil Harding gave a masterclass at ARU’s recording studios. Phil has worked with artists including The Clash, Killing Joke, Dead or Alive, Belinda Carlisle, Rick Astley and East 17.
Scenes from a Film
Music Performance student Patrick Walsh performs to his own composition, created for the course.
Facilities and showcase
Professional facilities
All our music students have access to:
- Five climate-controlled recording studios featuring analogue-digital hybrid studio set ups and two mixing suites, all equipped with Pro Tools, Logic and outboard hardware recording equipment (Neve, Universal Audio, Audient, SSL); and an audio-visual studio
- A spacious recital hall, band rooms and practice rooms
- Electronic and orchestral instruments; five grand pianos, including a Steinway Model D; synthesisers; traditional instruments from India, China and Africa; a Balinese Gamelan
- An impressive inventory of professionally rated microphones and recording equipment
- Podcast and video capture system
- Training in all of our creative facilities.
Futures Lab and workshop equipment
Our new digital workshop includes a variety of computer aided manufacturing machines, helping you learn up to date manufacturing and design processes as well as supporting many traditional techniques. These technologies include:
- 3D printers and scanners - FDM printers; material-specific extruders; SLA Formlabs printers; SLS Formlabs Fuse1; structured light 3D scanners
- 2D printing and cutting machines - laser cutters; Roland BN20 vinyl printer & cutter; Gerber substrate cutter; Mimaki TX300P sublimation printer.
Develop your talent
Study at ARU and benefit from:
- regular feedback on your performance skills and assessment on live performances
- facilities to develop your music and experiment with different styles and techniques
- our links with local networks such as Cambridge Arts Network and Cambridge Live
- a diverse music scene in Cambridge ranging from classical to UK rap.
Take a closer look
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us. You can also explore the work of our graduating students in our digital graduate showcase.
Lecturers
Chanan Hanspal
Senior Lecturer
Mark Pickering
Technical Team Leader
Tim Webster
Lecturer
Nikki Sheth
Associate Lecturer
Tom Macpherson
Associate Lecturer
Careers
Throughout our BA (Hons) Music Performance, you’ll not only develop the latest skills and knowledge for a career in music performance, but also get the support you need to grow into a confident and creative graduate with a willingness for lifelong learning, and the desire to seek continuing personal and professional development in all aspects of your career.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have built up a professional portfolio of your music performance projects, which will act as an enhanced CV for you to present to future employers and clients. This might consist of video showreels, commercial music releases, or other demonstrations of your technical expertise, as well as a fully-developed online profile.
You’ll also seek and complete a work placement in an area of your interest in year two, gaining experience of the industry as well as learning to self-evaluate and develop your employability skills.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our MA Music Therapy. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Employability and personal career development
Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.
To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.
Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.
Life in Cambridge
Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Our favourite places in Cambridge Did you know...? Facts about Cambridge Watch: Our CambridgeWant to talk to someone?
Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.
We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
Placement year available
You have the option to take a placement year as part of this course. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in the industry you want to work in.
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