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Postgraduate Reviews of Courses at BIMM University

Tutors were excellent. read full review

MA Popular Music Practice

BIMM UNIVERSITY

Student Reviewer - February 2024

uni is great but facilities need more maintenance and expanding as it seems the number of students is growing but not the number of rooms. read full review
I found the campus way too small, which makes the facilities rather crowded. The facilities in general are well equipped, except having to book the room becomes more or less like when you're trying to stay up booking Taylor Swift Eras tour.

Student Support is great, and members of staff are all very helpful and friendly. When I was struggling with things, they were very informative about how to resolve certain issues. However, the student wellbeing platform could improve a bit on mobile, as many parts of appointment options are cut off in the description box.

I wish there was more interactions between BA students and MA students, or just students in general. I understand they are doing different courses after all, but it seems extra-curricular activities are lacking to bridge that gap. In other words, unless you are studying in the same course or living in the same student accommodation, there is close to zero chance for you to meet new people unless you directly go up to them and start the conversation. But then again there aren't enough all-purpose rooms for students to meet up on campus at the end of the day to do any extracurricular activities, unlike other universities.

Also, the only place to sit down to socialise seems to be the BIMM cafe or the quiet library upstairs. The former gets packed very quickly and the latter you don't get much interaction going on since you need to be quiet inside. McGettigans is the next alternative option as it's around the corner, but it's exclusive to the university.

Fulham is probably an awkward place to travel to. If a train gets delayed or cancelled, it will take literally hours to get to the campus. Living near Fulham is also very expensive too. read full review
The opportunity to engage with students from varied backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspectives to the table, has not only enhanced the learning experience but also fostered potential lifelong friendships. This aspect stands out as a highlight of my time at the university, showcasing the institution's commitment to creating a rich, inclusive academic community. I really appreciate the diversity of the class with different backgrounds both in education but also in what path each person strives for.

The are areas where the university could improve are the organization of the usage of campuses. Because of having multiple lectures on different campuses, impacts not just the ease of accessing classes but also influences decisions on where to live, requiring a strategic consideration of all campus locations.

Furthermore, the facilities for social interaction and communal activities fall short. There is limited space available for socializing. There are few more sociable campuses than the Master's students are given, but not easily accessed. Additionally, the a lack of adequate amenities for students to store, prepare, and eat food, especially on the campus where long seminars are held. read full review
A great place to collaborate and learn with your peers to create a great portfolio for your creative career. The faculty is mostly understanding and accomodating. read full review

MA Popular Music Practice

BIMM UNIVERSITY

Student Reviewer - August 2022

Everything taught here is available on youtube, and that's where you learn everything anyway because the tutors just naff off on tour mid-semester so you have to get a replacement tutor that goes back to the first lessons all over again.

1st year was fairly boring and units were all just learning tabs and music business, stuff that's available online really. then around march some kind of disease spread around the globe or something and it was finished entirely online.

2nd year was during a pandemic so everything was online. I wish I could tell you about it but i've honestly forgotten mostly everything that was taught. It was mostly just learning tabs again spruced with music theory that is (yet again) all available online. Also some stuff about music business I guess. I don't even remember what optional units I chose, or what we learned from them.
I can't speak for what that year is like in-person as it could be better than the zoom meetings.

Once 3rd year started we were allowed back on campus and by god did that not change how miserable and jaded I was, because the units became just absolute drivel that was so drivel-y that you'd struggle to find it online, because it was that irrelevant to anything useful you wanted to know.

Overall, the course titled 'professional musicianship' teaches you nothing about actually becoming a musician, neither touring nor session-wise or whatever you want to do as a career. The mental breakdown that ensued in the realisation that i'd wasted 2 and 1/2 years of my life was something to behold. The middle of 3rd year was the time I wanted to withdraw and put studies on hold, but the course i'm doing is going to be rebranded soon from a University of Sussex degree, into a more worthless BIMM degree. This means that withdrawing meant i'd have to en-roll on an entirely new course, which at this point the thought of doing a whole year at this place again felt like a nightmare.
I have been so mentally drained and burnt out with this uni that I completely gave up on attending classes and submitting anything after that.

Like i've said, most of the stuff they teach is readily available online just about anywhere and you don't have to worry about falling asleep in-lesson like I did every week.
I've learned how to make a career out of being a musician just by going out and playing gigs by myself, and that's taught me more than I ever learned in a lesson. So to anyone who wants to make a career out of musicianship I advise you to just get gigging as much as possible and that'll teach you the experience you need.
Don't be fooled by their Alumni either, most of the big names that they mention that went to BIMM more than likely dropped out in first or second year.

Other stuff:
The campus was just a sprawl of rented out buildings in random places in town so everywhere you go is a trek.
The sponsorships that BIMM keeps bringing up from Marshall and Orange etc. doesn't mean anything as you hardly get to use any of it.
There's no dedicated student accommodation either so enjoy getting shafted by estate agents.
Mental health support is non-existent and you're better off talking to a GP. (A self-help leaflet of theirs suggests making tea in response to having anxiety)


Pros:
The best part of uni was meeting other people who hated the place just as much as I did and making a band with them. read full review
As a year group, the graduating class of 2021 was very lucky to experience first-hand the resilience and adaptability of our BIMM Bristol tutors during a global pandemic. Many tutors were dealing with loss, worries around family health, and stress or anxiety related to Covid-19. Yet they never stopped being professional for us. Sparing us the details of their personal struggles, they appeared on their webcams: calm, confident, and always ready to guide and encourage. They are truly inspiring people who pulled us through our studies and supported us holistically from the other side of Zoom to get some pretty amazing academic results (a lot of my colleagues got a 1st or 2.1). Huge amount of respect and love for both tutors and students on the BA (Hons) Professional Musicianship Degree. We made it! read full review
the student support is probably the best aspect of my university. However, the worst is probably the lack of recording/DJing spaces and student societies read full review

MA Popular Music Practice

BIMM UNIVERSITY

Student Reviewer - February 2020

I have completed my BA at BIMM Berlin and am now undertaking my MA at BIMM London. The atmosphere at BIMM is constantly motivating me to push myself and compete in a flourishing environment. The course it tailored for each individuals needs and is preparing me for my future career in music. read full review
My overall experience at this uni is both full of positives and negatives. It does push you as a musician and the support from student support is amazing and really makes your university experience a lot better. You have jump into to every experience and learn from it. read full review