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Study music in England UK - 245 institutions

Current page last update date: 2025-07-15
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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 2025 | 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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