Work experience
Providing real-world, hands-on experiences is at the heart of the BIMM experience. Our longstanding partnerships within the industry both inform what we offer and facilitate countless opportunities every year. Our students run record labels, manage live events, produce TV shows and put business plans into action.
All students also have the opportunity to undertake a work placement during their course. The Creative Futures Team provide full support in securing and arranging placements and, previously, students have completed internships within every area of the music business.
What will you experience next?
Read about our students’ placement experiences
Industry partnerships and opportunities
We foster a range of high-profile partnerships within the creative industries, all of which are designed to enrich your experience and provide opportunities both during and after your course.
Explore some of our ongoing opportunities below.
BIMM Music Institute has a nationwide collaborative relationship with BBC Music Introducing, providing students with hands-on experiences at some of the UK’s most renowned music festivals.
BBC Music Introducing is a BBC Radio initiative dedicated to discovering and promoting unsigned and emerging talent. With 32 local shows across BBC stations throughout the UK, it offers artists and bands the chance to be heard nationally on Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, 6 Music, and the BBC Asian Network.
As part of this collaborative relationship, students will work in key areas such as artist liaison, festival production, and stage management at major events across the country.
BIMM Music Institute and DIY Magazine have formed a strong partnership that offers students at BIMM invaluable hands-on experience in the music industry.
Through this collaboration, students have worked at the highly anticipated ‘DIY Class of’ event, where they have interviewed artists, gained behind-the-scenes industry insights, and even given live performances. These opportunities allow students to deepen their understanding of the live music and events sector, while building connections that can kickstart their careers.
In recent years, BIMM has also partnered with DIY Magazine at The Great Escape Festival, which involves running live performances at industry networking events and hosting showcase gigs at the festival. This reflects BIMM’s broader commitment to student success through our partnerships and unrivalled industry connections.
We are partnered with SXSW London as part of their 2025 National Roadshow which is being hosted across three of our campuses in Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham.
These series of events provide an amazing opportunity to connect with industry pros, including innovators, musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and creative pioneers, offering invaluable insights into the UK’s evolving creative landscape. Live sessions feature performances from emerging local artists, while networking helps build relationships that can propel students careers forward.
With access to top talent and thought leaders from the creative industries, through this partnership our students receive the tools, knowledge and inspiration needed to turn their creative ambitions into reality.
We have a long-term partnership with Victorious Festival, an 80,000-capacity festival which sees BIMM students running The People’s Lounge stage and the World Music Stage.
Aside from gaining practical experience behind the scenes, our relationship with Victorious also gives students from all campuses the chance to perform at the festival. In previous years, BIMM students have performed alongside big names such as Neneh Cherry, The Libertines, Paloma Faith, Kaiser Chiefs, Happy Mondays, and 90s Britpop icons Sleeper.
We’re proud to be lead educational partners with The Great Escape (TGE). This three-day festival for new music showcases 500 emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across the city, including a pop-up site on Brighton’s infamous pebble beach.
Students across all eight BIMM Music Institute campuses get the chance to perform at the official BIMM showcase and Alternative Escape shows and network with top industry professionals at the TGE conference. Each year, the conference is packed full of insightful panels, topical debates, and keynote speeches from leading figures within the music business.
The festival is powered by student and alumni volunteers from BIMM. Each year, they gain valuable behind-the-scenes experience in areas such as venue management, front of house, box office, and artist liaison, while building great contacts across the industry.
In 2023, BIMM Music Institute announced an exciting partnership with DAACI, an innovative AI music software company, offering unique opportunities for students.
A significant aspect of this partnership is the creation of internship opportunities for BIMM students. By working closely with DAACI, students gain invaluable practical experience in the field of AI music software, setting the stage for a promising future in the music industry.
The collaboration with DAACI contributes to our goal of equipping the next generation of music professionals with cutting-edge tools and experiences, ensuring they are ready to thrive in an ever-evolving creative landscape.
Any questions?
For any questions about how we prepare our students for a career in music, or if you’d like more information on how to apply to BIMM Music Institute, please contact our Enquiries Team on 01273 840 346 or email [email protected].
