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Study music in England UK - 245 institutions

Current page last update date: 2025-07-15
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  • Downside School
    In 2023 near 66% of A Level students achieved A*- B grades
    Downside School
    United Kingdom
    Bath
    Currently watching: 10
    Very good
    8.3
    from 8968.00 £ / term
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    from 8968.00 £ / term
  • LVS Ascot School
    In 2013 - 39.4% of A Level students achieved A* - B
    LVS Ascot School
    United Kingdom
    near London
    Currently watching: 8
    Very good
    8.3
    from 4560.00 £ / term
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    from 4560.00 £ / term
  • Canford school
    In 2021 - A* & A grades at A-Level increased up to 60%
    Canford school
    United Kingdom
    Bournemouth
    Currently watching: 4
    Very good
    1 reviews
    8.2
    from 12686.00 £ / term
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    from 12686.00 £ / term
  • Prior Park College Bath
    In 2018 near 34.2% of A Level students achieved A*/A grades
    Prior Park College Bath
    United Kingdom
    Bath
    Currently watching: 6
    Very good
    2 reviews
    8.2
    from 11165.00 £ / term
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    from 11165.00 £ / term
  • University of Sheffield
    96th in the world, joint 16th in the UK and second in Yorkshire
    University of Sheffield
    United Kingdom
    Sheffield
    Currently watching: 3
    Very good
    8.2
    from 5200.00 £ / term
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    from 5200.00 £ / term
  • Vinehall Elementary School
    In 2023 -81.4% of A Level students achieved A* - C
    Vinehall Elementary School
    United Kingdom
    Hastings
    Currently watching: 5
    Very good
    8.2
    from 7853.00 £ / term
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    from 7853.00 £ / term
  • Harrow School
    In 2023 - 52.8% of A Level students achieved A*-A
    Harrow School
    United Kingdom
    London
    Currently watching: 4
    Very good
    4 reviews
    8.2
    from 13925.00 £ / term
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    from 13925.00 £ / term
  • Radley College (Radley Boys School)
    In 2019 - near 62% of A-level students achieved A*-A grades
    Radley College (Radley Boys School)
    United Kingdom
    Oxford
    Currently watching: 4
    Very good
    8.2
    from 13375.00 £ / term
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    from 13375.00 £ / term
  • West Buckland School
    In 2019 - near 44% of A Level students achieved A*-A grades
    West Buckland School
    United Kingdom
    Taunton
    Currently watching: 3
    Very good
    5 reviews
    8.2
    from 11600.00 £ / term
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    from 11600.00 £ / term
  • Epsom College
    A-levels 2023 59% of all exams graded A*-A
    Epsom College
    United Kingdom
    near London
    Currently watching: 6
    Very good
    1 reviews
    8.2
    from 13493.00 £ / term
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    from 13493.00 £ / term
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10 18 36 72

Studying music in England in elite stage circles is considered one of the most prestigious - its educational institutions compete with prestigious universities and colleges in the United States. However, the system of music education in Great Britain differs from the usual one: there are no seven-year music schools, but there is a single flexible examination system that allows you to confirm your level of proficiency in musical literacy and skills. It is possible to start teaching a child music at almost any age at the discretion of the parents, but it is necessary to take into account, first of all, the psychological readiness of the young musician for long lessons, which requires learning to play instrumentally.

Secondary Music Education in England

Private music schools are widespread in England, they provide students with individual lessons. Studying music in the UK is in great honor: a huge number of various concerts, competitions and festivals are held here annually.

In addition, in England there are state Music Education Hubs, which perform a more educational function: everyone is welcome here for a completely low fee. The cost of studying here is only 130-150 £ per year for group lessons and 220 £ for the trimester of individual lessons.

There are schools operating at the London Academy of Music that provide excellent academic preparation for the future performer:

  • Junior Royal Academy of Music,
  • Junior Royal Colleage of Music,
  • Guildhall Junior School
  • Trinity Junior.

The leaders of this four in terms of prestige are RAM and RCM, however Guildhall has an excellent string tradition.

You can get to Saturday schools after a strict selection - most of the gifted young musicians in England tend to get into these institutions. Those who have received special approval from the commission are offered a scholarship, thanks to which you can compensate for part of the cost of studying. In the history of the Royal College of Music, there have been cases when the level of a twelve-year-old musician significantly exceeded the eighth level of the ABRSM commission - such students were awarded a full scholarship.

For those who would like to accelerate musical preparation and reach great heights, in England there are closed private institutions:

  • Purcell School sponsored by the Prince of Wales
  • Menukhinskaya school in Surrey (Yeehudi Menuhin school)
  • Chets in Manchester.
  • Musica Nova Academy (near Kings's Cross Station) opened in 2001. Classes are held individually and collectively, the schedule is compiled taking into account the wishes of parents and children. The school annually participates in the "Albion Stars" festival.
  • A branch of the Con tempo Piano Academy has existed since 2012. Here they teach music in the traditions of the Russian academic school and according to the ABRSM system. A special skill that can only be acquired here is the production of a musical for children.

An excellent practice for a novice musician is the participation of youth orchestras popular in England:

  • National children's orchestra
  • National youth orchestra
  • CBSO Youth Orchestra.

Here, children learn the basics of orchestra playing and acquire the skill of confidently reading notes from a sheet. To get into the orchestra, you must pass an audition.

How to enter a higher musical institution in England?

Assessment of the level of skills and confirmation of knowledge in the field of music are carried out by two English certified commissions:

  • The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
  • Guildhall and Trinity.

They do not prepare for exams, but only evaluate the level of a musician, regardless of where he acquired his skills. To assess musical abilities and skills, a gradation of eight difficulty levels was created, which can be mastered gradually or through a “step”. The results issued by these commissions are accepted by the best music schools, including the Royal Academy of Music.

Readiness criteria for taking the first level exam in ABRSM or Guildhall and Trinity:

  • An ability to play three pieces on the piano and profile instrument
  • Gamma and Arpeggio Playback
  • Confident music sheet reading
  • Passing aural test (hearing test, sense of rhythm, knowledge of terms and memory).

TOP universities for studying music in the UK: tuition fees

In England, you can become the holder of a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctor’s degree in music sciences. The range of specialties is wide:

  • learning musical instruments
  • conducting
  • composer's art
  • vocals
  • teaching activities
  • the history of music and others.

The equal part of a musician’s education in the UK is practice. Students during their studies give hundreds of performances in various festivals concerts and competitions: they accompany the choir, singers, accompany theatrical performances, make audio recordings. The cost of studying varies from £ 16,000 to £ 25,000 per year.

  • The Royal College of Music in the heart of London, near the Regents Park, is the oldest in the country, which opened at the beginning of the XIX century. Royal College of Music has its own music label, includes several concert halls, dozens of rehearsal rooms and a theater. In addition to academic performing programs, there are also jazz and theater programs. The musical elite appreciates the school for opera and vocal programs. Education for a master or bachelor will cost a foreign student in the amount of £ 20,000, but the doctoral program is more budget: about 12,000 £ per year.
  • The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama is the only place in Europe where you can get a degree in all performing arts on one campus. The Academy has always been recognized as one of the 10 best educational institutions in the world of performing arts (QS World Rankings - 2016, 2017, 2018).
  • The Department of Music of the Oxford University is one of the largest and most vibrant music departments in the UK. The curriculum is designed to preserve the classical musicological and performing traditions, and also uses an arsenal of modern discoveries in the field of music and musicology, from music of the Middle Ages to modern ethnic or hip-hop.

Best music universities in Britain 2026 | Complete University Guide

Rank

Institution

1 Cambridge
2 Oxford
3 Durham
4 Manchester
5 Surrey
6 King's College London
7 Leeds
8 Bristol
9 Sheffield
10 Royal Holloway, University of London
11 Southampton
12 Guildhall School of Music and Drama
13 Birmingham
14 York
15 Royal College of Music
16 Bangor
17 Royal Academy of Music
18 Plymouth
19 Cardiff
20 Royal Northern College of Music
21 Queen's, Belfast
22 Birmingham City
23 Nottingham
24 Edinburgh
25 Glasgow
26 Brighton
27 Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
28 Newcastle
29 Keele
30 Trinity Laban
31 Liverpool
32 Kent
33 Huddersfield
34 Ulster
35 Chester
36 Goldsmiths, University of London
37 Sussex
38 Lincoln
39 Winchester
40 Edinburgh Napier
41 East London
42 Chichester
43 West of Scotland
44 Aberdeen
45 Falmouth
46 City, University of London
47 Bath Spa
48 Staffordshire
49 Salford
50 York St John
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