BIMM University

Undergraduate entry (UK)

Apply through UCAS (institution code B39) using the course code on each course page. Codes include BA (Hons) Music W301, BMus (Hons) Songwriting 3C45, BA (Hons) Music Production W373, BA (Hons) Music Business, Events and Media N101, BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance W316, and CertHE Popular Music Performance W320, Songwriting W321 and Music Production W322. The typical requirement is 80 UCAS points (three A-levels or equivalent) plus three GCSEs at C/4 or above, including English Language, together with a successful BIMM admissions assessment. Other accepted qualifications include RSL Awards, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate (Diploma at 27 points or above) and the European Baccalaureate. Applicants aged over 18 without formal qualifications may be considered through Recognition of Prior Practice (RPP). Applicants with previous higher education study may join at Level 5 through RPL.

Auditions, interviews and portfolio reviews

Every music course requires an assessment before an offer is made. Performance, songwriting and music degree applicants audition. Music Production applicants have a portfolio review. Music Business, Events and Media applicants are interviewed. Sessions last about 40 minutes, one to one with a BIMM assessor. They can be held in person at any college, online via Zoom or as a demo submission, and can be booked before a formal application. Offers are conditional or unconditional and are confirmed through UCAS Hub.

Contextual offers

Eligible applicants automatically receive a contextual offer, typically BC at A-level, MPP in the BTEC National Extended Diploma or DMM in the BTEC National Certificate. Criteria include living in a low-participation or high-deprivation postcode, free school meals, care experience, estrangement, refugee or Humanitarian Protection status, and being a young carer. An audition, interview or portfolio is still required.

Key UCAS dates (2027/28 cycle)

The equal consideration deadline is 13 January 2027 at 18:00. UCAS Extra opens on 25 February 2027. The main application period closes on 30 June 2027 at 18:00, and Clearing opens on 2 July 2027. The personal statement has three questions, each with a minimum of 350 characters, and a 4,000-character total limit.

International undergraduate entry

International applicants can apply directly to BIMM Music Institute, through an approved partner institution or through UCAS. For applicants who need a visa, the direct-application deadline for 2026 entry is 28 August 2026, and applications are processed first come, first served. Country equivalences to the 80-UCAS-point standard are assessed case by case. For example, WAEC/WASSCE needs five A-B grades, the Indian Standard 12 needs 65% overall, and Hong Kong DSE needs grades worth 80 tariff points. Translated transcripts and a passport copy are required.

English language requirements

The general undergraduate minimum is IELTS Academic 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each element. Postgraduate courses require 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element. Other accepted tests for undergraduate entry include PTE Academic 59 overall with 59 in each element (PTE Academic Online is not accepted), TOEFL iBT 72 overall with section minimums, Duolingo 110 overall, LanguageCert Academic 65 overall with 60 in each skill, Cambridge CAE/CPE 170 overall and Trinity ISE 2 Pass with Merit. Postgraduate entry requires PTE 62, TOEFL iBT 86, Duolingo 120, LanguageCert 70 and Trinity ISE 2 Pass with Distinction. Tests must normally be no more than two years old at the course start date. Student-visa applicants for CertHE courses need a SELT: IELTS for UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each band, LanguageCert Academic SELT 60 overall and in each section, or PTE Academic UKVI 59 in all skills. Nationals of majority English-speaking countries defined by the Home Office are exempt.

Postgraduate taught entry

Master's applicants usually need a bachelor's degree at 2:2 or equivalent. Those without formal qualifications may be considered through Recognition of Prior Certified and Experiential Learning (RPCEL). Applicants apply directly through an online applicant account, then have an interview with a Course Leader. Offers stay conditional until certificates are verified. For 2026-27 the deadlines are 12 September 2026 for domestic students and 22 August 2026 for international (Student Route visa) students. Later applications are reviewed case by case. Master's degrees run full time for one year or part time for two years.

Visa and CAS

International students need a Student Route visa. BIMM issues the CAS after the deposit is paid and pre-CAS checks, including a passport copy, are complete. Students must show the Home Office living-cost amounts of £1,570 a month in London or £1,203 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months, for applications made on or after 30 November 2026. The Immigration Health Surcharge is £776 a year, and the visa application fee is £558. Graduates of undergraduate or master's degrees may apply for the Graduate Route visa.

BIMM Music Institute teaches in seven cities. The UK colleges are:

• Brighton (Hove): BIMM's original campus, opened in 2001. BIMM House (62-64 Brunswick Street West) is a four-storey Grade II listed building, formerly Hove Town Hall. It has teaching and rehearsal rooms and two live rooms holding 60 and 100 people. BIMM West (38-42 Brunswick Street West, BN3 1EL) is an 8,200 sq ft building with nine specialist teaching rooms and a recording studio. The campus also has four Mac suites with recording booths and a student café with iMacs and a library of music and industry reading. Music Production students use the partner studios at Brighton Electric.
• London (Fulham): Barclay House, Effie Road, SW6 1EN, near Fulham Broadway. This is where BIMM began in 1983 as Drumtech. The five-storey, 19,000 sq ft building has 35 teaching rooms, a 64-capacity and a 20-capacity performance room, six Mac suites with 115 iMacs and two recording studios. It also has a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 studio, three drum studios and five sound-insulated drum booths.
• Bristol: Moon Street, BS2 8QY, opened in 2008. It has three studios (two with SSL Origin consoles and one with an Audient ASP 8024HE), two live rooms and six bookable rehearsal spaces. The Atrium is a multi-use venue holding over 300 people. Students can also borrow cameras and recording equipment.
• Birmingham (Digbeth): 93-96 Floodgate Street, B5 5SR, opened in 2017 by Tony Iommi. It has a recording studio with an Audient ASP8024 console and Pro Tools HDX, two mix suites and performance spaces holding 100, 50 and 30 people. There are also four open-access Mac suites with 20 iMacs each, two business rooms (Abbey Road and Motown) and a drum and bass room.
• Manchester: opened in 2013 across three city-centre buildings. Great Marlborough Street is a 12,000 sq ft teaching building with a student common room. Bank Chambers on Faulkner Street has two recording studios, control rooms and edit suites. Merchant Exchange is the third site. Across the sites there are three iMac labs, study and reading areas and a careers hub.

Outside the UK, BIMM Music Institute Dublin teaches across two colleges with links to venues including The Academy and Whelans. BIMM University Berlin is based at the House of Music. Other BIMM University schools have their own campuses, including Performers College in Brighton, Birmingham, Essex and Manchester.

Shared resources include a digital library, the Canvas virtual learning environment, quiet study spaces with books and journals, Microsoft 365, and bookable equipment, studios and rehearsal rooms. Studios and performance spaces are also available through partners such as Pirate Studios and Manchester Music Box.