Music colleges in the UK
By studying music in the UK, you will mix with the finest aspiring European artists. You’ll be introduced to professors with decades of expertise in the UK and global music industries, as well as gain from exclusive industry partnerships that will help your future career.
The UK has the top music universities in the world, and studying here will expose you to one of the world’s most fascinating and active music scenes. Top music schools understand what it takes to succeed in the music industry, and there are plenty of them in the United Kingdom.
Top Ten Music Universities in the United Kingdom
1) Guildhall School of Music and Drama
The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London provides a Bachelor of Music Honours degree with one-on-one teaching in a variety of study areas such as strings, electronic and produced music, brass, percussion, vocal studies, piano, and so on.
In addition to departmental classes, workshops, coaching, and projects (averaging over 100 hours per year) with well-known artists, students will gain hands-on experience by playing in the country’s top venues.
The composition module prepares you to become a skilled music composer through the most interesting and creative instruction. One of the program’s features is the emphasis on strengthening your musicianship while working with established artists in a supportive and dynamic environment.
Recommended course: BMus – Bachelor of Music Honours.
Entry requirements: Two A-Levels (GCE Advanced A2): Pass (grades A-E); Double A-Level (GCSE Advanced A2 double units): Pass (grades A–E).
International fees: £24,970.
2. University of Surrey.
Through hosting musical events like concerts, workshops, and masterclasses throughout the year, the esteemed Department of Music and Media at the University of Surrey offers a state-of-the-art BMus (Hons) Music program that aims to give students a broad understanding of music theory, history, and performance, as well as opportunities to specialise in areas like composition, music technology, and popular music studies.
The university’s cutting-edge facilities include a performance hall, recording studios, and rehearsal rooms, which provide students with professional-grade equipment and resources.
Students will learn about medieval music, women in music, principles of music technology and production, and screen music studies. If you pick the four-year course, you will receive an additional 12 months of professional training.
Suggested Course: BMus (Hons) Entry criteria for music include a grade of B. Applicants pursuing an A-level scientific subject with the scientific Practical Endorsement must complete the practical component. ABRSM Grade 5 Theory (or equivalent) is recommended.
International fees: £19,700.
3. Royal Academy Of Music
The Royal Academy of Music, one of the UK’s top-ranked music schools, has world-class facilities and offers industry-relevant programmes in a variety of disciplines.
Founded in 1822, the prestigious conservatoire is well-known for its Bachelor of Music (Honours) Jazz degree program. The course will help you understand the historical backdrop of jazz music in Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Graduates of the degree will be able to master aural and transcribing skills, as well as current rhythmic skills. Several workshops and performances are organized on campus, giving students hands-on experience.
RAM has produced some of music’s most well-known figures, including Sir Elton John, Annie Lennox, Sir Simon Rattle, and Dame Felicity Lott.
Suggested Course: Bachelor of Music (Honours) Jazz
Entry requirements include evidence of professional performing potential in your primary subject, general sound musicianship, and a solid aural reaction.
International fees: £27,300.
4. University of Oxford.
The Music degree at the University of Oxford promotes the teaching of music through reading, listening, performance, and creating. Oxford’s internationally renowned Faculty of Music collaborates with trained professionals to cultivate brilliant minds.
The degree program covers a wide range of themes, including Western classical, popular, and community music, as well as the social and cultural background. It enables you to explore into the musical ocean.
The BA Music course at Oxford includes practice, workshops, and rehearsals, and you will have plenty of opportunity for independent study during the summer terms.
The required modules include stylistic composition, musical analysis, religious Renaissance polyphony, 18th-century opera, and so on. The history of Oxford’s Music faculty is adorned with famous names including Ian Parrott, Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, and Emma Kirkby.
Suggested Course: BA Music
Entry requirements: Candidates are expected to have Music to A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB (or equivalent), or ABRSM Music Theory Grade VII or higher.
International fees: £39,740.
5. The Royal College of Music
BMus program is designed by experienced musicians to offer a global musical viewpoint. RCM’s broad course program teaches students how investigative music interacts in modern contexts. The music school prioritizes one-on-one classes, which include high-quality instruction, mentorship, and networking possibilities.
In the first and second years, students develop performance skills while also becoming acquainted with historical and cultural aspects of music, classical improvisation, and the Alexander Technique.
The training also includes lectures, orchestral concerts, stagecraft, and psychological awareness. RCM, founded in 1883, has trained some of the greatest musical geniuses, including Leopold Stokowski, Gervase de Peyer, Alfie Boe, and Vaughan Williams.
Suggested Course: Bachelor of Music (BMus)
Entry requirements: All offers to performers are dependent on their performance at the audition.
International fees: £27,300.
6. University of Sheffield.
The University of Sheffield provides an MA in Music Performance Studies. This program will help you become a skilled classical music performer through workshops and one-on-one tuition. The Department of Music is involved in Sheffield’s cultural scene and provides performance opportunities.
Sheffield is a thriving music city with numerous venues and events, and students frequently perform in concerts throughout the city. It’s an excellent place to hone your musical skills and be a part of the music scene.
Recommended course: MA Music Performance Studies.
Entry requirements: A 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in music or a combined degree with a significant music component.
International fees: £26,350.
7.Bedfordshire University
Media Performance for Film, TV, and Theatre is a BA (Hons) course offered by the University of Bedfordshire. This curriculum supports you in realizing your aspiration of performing on stage, screen, and television.
Along with exploring a variety of media-related topics, such as broadcasting, directing, scriptwriting, and more, you will gain performance abilities. Your preparation for a career in media as an actor or presenter is provided by this course.
Course recommendation: BA (Hons) Theater, Television, and Film Media Performance
Requirements for entry: 64 points from two A level passes at C or above, or at least 80 UCAS tariff points. 6.0 on the IELTS (with a minimum of 5.5 in each subtest).
8. Cambridge University
The three-year Cambridge University BA (Hons) Music degree program covers a wide range of topics, including general musicianship, ethnomusicology, music psychology, and classical countercultures of the 20th century.
Students learn about the influence of music on nationalism and society in this subject. While collaborating with certain staff members, students can pick up a number of professional skills.
Course recommendation: BA (Hons) Requirements for music entry: A IB: 40–42 points, with 776 at Higher Level; Level: A*AA
Foreign charges: £33,672
9. Manchester University
With Manchester’s Bachelor of Music (Hons) in Music programme, you can specialise in conducting, musicology, film composition, performing, and more. You can explore new facets of music and expand on your interests in this flexible and varied course.
It is updated frequently to reflect the most recent findings and assistance joining the music business. You’ll get access to first-rate facilities and study under esteemed academics and professionals.
Course recommendation: BMus (Hons) Soundtrack
Requirements for entry: AAB, with music at an A. IB: 35 total points. 6, 6, 5 in topics at the higher level.
Fees for international travel: £25,000
10. Bangor University
Bangor University, ranked first in the UK for course satisfaction (Guardian University Guide), is committed to mentoring budding musicians through comprehensive instruction in various areas of music.
Bangor offers students the opportunity to participate or attend performances at popular locations such as Pontio, Venue Cymru, and Prichard Jones Hall. At university, your musical awareness extends beyond the lecture hall as you collaborate with some of the country’s most recognized musicians.
Suggested course: BA (Hons). Music
Entry requirements: The university has established a minimum of UCAS Tariff points.
International fees: £18,000.
Study Music in the UK.
Are you thinking about taking a music course in the UK? Arrange a free consultation with LINGO to answer all of your questions about programme selection at the leading music universities in the UK.
