Top 10 UK Universities for a Music Course

By studying music in the UK, you will mix with the finest aspiring European musicians. You’ll be introduced to tutors with decades of experience within the UK and global music industry, as well as benefiting from unique industry partnerships, which will boost your future career.

The best music universities in the world are in the UK, and you will be up close and personal with one of the most exciting and vibrant music scenes on the planet by studying here. Top music schools know what it takes to get into the music industry, and the UK has them in abundance.

Learn more about the best places to study music in the UK below (Guardian University Guide 2024) and begin your application by arranging a free consultation with SI-UK London.

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Top 10 Universities for Music in the UK

1. Guildhall School of Music and Drama

The London-based Guildhall School of Music and Drama offers a Bachelor of Music Honours degree with one-to-one tuition in various study areas, including strings, electronic & produced music, brass, percussion, vocal studies, keyboard, etc. 

In addition to departmental classes, workshops, coaching, and projects (combining over 100 hours a year) with prominent artists, students will get hands-on experience by performing in the country’s leading venues. The composition module guides you towards becoming a skilful music composer through the most stimulating and creative training. One of the highlights of this programme is its focus on developing your musicianship in the company of accomplished artists in a supportive and dynamic ambience.

• Suggested course: BMus – Bachelor of Music Honours
• Entry requirements: 2 A-Levels (GCE Advanced A2): Pass (grades A-E); Double A-Level (GCE Advanced A2 double units): Pass (grades A-E)
• International fees: £24,970

2. University of Surrey

The highly regarded Department of Music and Media at the University of Surrey offer a state-of-the-art BMus (Hons) Music programme that aims to provide students with a broad understanding of music theory, history, and performance, as well as opportunities to specialise in areas such as composition, music technology, and popular music studies, by hosting musical events throughout the year, including concerts, workshops, and masterclasses.

The university's state-of-the-art facilities include a concert hall, recording studios, and practice rooms, providing students with professional-quality equipment and resources. Students will be studying medieval music, women in music, fundamentals of music technology and production, and screen music studies. If you choose the 4-year course, you will get an extra 12-month professional training.

• Suggested course: BMus (Hons) Music
• Entry requirements: Music at grade B. Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement must pass the practical element. ABRSM Grade 5 Theory or equivalent is recommended
• International fees: £19,700

3. Royal Academy of Music

One of the top-ranked music schools in the UK, the Royal Academy of Music is home to world-class facilities and offers industry-relevant programmes in various disciplines. Founded in 1822, the renowned conservatoire is famous for its Bachelor Of Music (Honours) Jazz degree course. The course will familiarise you with the historical context of jazz music in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. 

After completing the programme, graduates can master aural and transcription skills and contemporary rhythmic skills. Several workshops and performances are organised at the campus, allowing students hands-on experience. From Sir Elton John to Annie Lennox and Sir Simon Rattle to Dame Felicity Lott, RAM has produced some of the most popular names in the field of music. 

• Suggested course: Bachelor Of Music (Honours) Jazz
• Entry requirements: Evidence of professional performing potential in your principal study, general sound musicianship and a good aural response.
• International fees: £27,300

4. University of Oxford

The University of Oxford’s Music degree stimulates the ideas of reading, listening, performing, and composing to teach music. Oxford’s globally reputed Faculty of Music works with learned professionals to produce brilliant minds. The degree course teaches you many topics, from Western classical to popular music and community music to the social and cultural context. It helps you delve into the musical ocean.

Practice, workshops and rehearsals are integral to the BA Music course at Oxford, while you get ample time for independent study in the summer terms. The compulsory modules include stylistic composition, musical analysis, sacred renaissance polyphony, 18th-century opera, etc. The history of Oxford’s Music faculty is embellished with renowned names like 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 above
• International fees: £39,740

5. Royal College of Music

Time-served musicians design the Royal College of Music’s BMus programme to present a global musical perspective. Through RCM’s diverse course curriculum, students learn how investigative music operates in contemporary cultures. The music school pays enormous attention to one-to-one lessons that include high-quality teaching, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

In the first and second years, students learn performance-based and get acquainted with music's historical and cultural elements, classical improvisation and the Alexander Technique. The programme also contains masterclasses, orchestral performances, stagecraft, and psychological awareness. Started in 1883, RCM has trained some of the finest music minds, including Leopold Stokowski, Gervase de Peyer, Alfie Boe, and Vaughan Williams.

• Suggested course: Bachelor of Music (BMus)
• Entry requirements: All offers for performers are made based on their performance at the audition.
• International fees: £27,300

6. University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield offers an MA in Music Performance Studies. This programme helps you become a skilled classical music performer through workshops and one-on-one lessons. The Department of Music is active in Sheffield's cultural scene, offering performance opportunities. Sheffield is a vibrant music city with many venues and events, and students often participate in gigs across the city. It's a great place to develop your musical talents and be part of the music scene.

• Suggested course: MA Music Performance Studies
• Entry requirements: Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in music or a combined degree with a substantial music component.
• International fees: £26,350

7. University of Bedfordshire

The University of Bedfordshire offers a BA (Hons) course in Media Performance for Film, TV, and Theatre. This programme helps you pursue your dream of acting on TV, in film, and on stage. You'll learn performance skills and explore various aspects of the media industry, including radio, directing, scriptwriting, and more. The course prepares you to work as an actor or presenter in the media industry. 

• Suggested course: BA (Hons) Media Performance for Film TV and Theatre
• Entry requirements: At least 80 UCAS tariff points with 64 points from 2 A level passes at C or above. 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in any subtest) in IELTS.

8. University of Cambridge

During the three-year BA (Hons) Music degree at Cambridge University, students will explore music psychology, classical countercultures of the 20th century, ethnomusicology, general musicianship, and other important subjects. The course introduces students to music's impact on society and nationalism. Students also learn several professional lessons while working with individual staff members.

• Suggested course: BA (Hons) Music
• Entry requirements: A Level: A*AA; IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
• International fees: £33,672

9. University of Manchester

On the Bachelor of Music (Hons) in Music at Manchester, you can customise your studies in performance, conducting, film composition, musicology, and more. The course is diverse and adaptable, and you can build on your interests while discovering new aspects of music. It's regularly updated with the latest research and supports entering the music industry. You'll learn from renowned academics and professionals and have access to excellent facilities.

• Suggested course: BMus (Hons) Music
• Entry requirements: AAB, including A in Music. IB- 35 points overall. 6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects.
• International fees: £25,000

10. Bangor University

Ranked 1st in the UK for course satisfaction (Guardian University Guide ), Bangor University believes in guiding aspiring musicians through comprehensive training in different forms of music. Bangor provides its students opportunities to perform or attend performances in popular venues like Pontio, Venue Cymru, and Prichard Jones Hall. At the university, your musical understanding goes beyond the lecture hall while you work with some of the country’s renowned musicians.

• Suggested course: BA (Hons) Music
• Entry requirements: Minimum of UCAS Tariff points set by the university.
• International fees: £18,000

Study Music in the UK

Are you considering studying a music course in the UK? Arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London and solve all your queries regarding programme selection at the best music universities in the UK.