As an international student interested in pursuing a high-quality music education in Asia, you may want to consider an established music school or conservatory. The right institution can help you develop your skills, broaden your musical perspective, and build a foundation for a career in music.
Asian institutions such as the Seoul National University College of Music in South Korea and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in China offer undergraduate and graduate music education in culturally rich study environments. Read on to learn more about top music schools in Asia that international students may consider.
Top Music Schools in Asia
1. Seoul National University
Seoul National University opened in 1946, while its College of Music was established in 1953. The college provides undergraduate and graduate music education and supports both performance-based and academic study.
Its academic areas include vocal music, composition, musicology, piano, orchestral instruments, and Korean traditional music. Graduate students can pursue master’s and doctoral study in music-related fields.
2. Tokyo University of the Arts
The Tokyo University of the Arts was established as a university in 1949, building on the history of its predecessor arts and music schools. Its Faculty of Music offers study in composition, vocal music, instrumental music, conducting, traditional Japanese music, musicology, and musical creativity and the environment.
The university’s Department of Traditional Japanese Music provides specialized study in Japanese instruments and performance traditions, including shamisen, koto, shakuhachi, Noh music, and Gagaku. Students can pursue music education at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.
3. Shanghai Conservatory of Music
Founded in 1927 as the National Conservatory of Music, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (SHCM) describes itself as China’s first institution of higher education devoted to music. Its academic areas include composition, conducting, musicology, music education, vocal and operatic study, and instrumental performance.
SHCM provides bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral education and maintains partnerships with music institutions in several countries. Its curriculum and academic activities encompass both Chinese musical traditions and international approaches to performance, composition, and research.
4. National University of Singapore
Founded in 2003, the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore offers conservatory-level music education within a comprehensive university. Its programs combine individual instruction, ensemble work, academic study, and performance experience.
Current offerings include the Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Master of Music Leadership, Master of Audio Arts and Sciences, and PhD in Music Practices. Students should review the individual program pages because admission procedures, audition requirements, and study formats vary by degree.
5. Central Conservatory of Music
Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) was formed in 1949 and held its formal founding ceremony in 1950. It provides an integrated system of music education that extends from its affiliated schools to bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral study.
Its academic units cover composition, musicology, conducting, piano, orchestral instruments, Chinese traditional instruments, voice and opera, music education, music technology, and related disciplines. This breadth allows students to study both Chinese musical traditions and international performance and research practices.
6. Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Established in 1984, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) provides professional education in several performing-arts disciplines. Its School of Music currently offers a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and a Master of Music.
Music students receive training in performance, composition, academic subjects, and ensemble work. The academy also provides opportunities to participate in recitals, concerts, and other practical activities as part of its professionally oriented curriculum.
7. Yonsei University
Yonsei University’s formal college-level music program began in 1955 with the establishment of the Department of Church Music. The College of Music is located in Seoul and now includes departments devoted to church music, vocal music, piano, orchestral instruments, and composition.
Yonsei also offers graduate music education at the master’s and doctoral levels. Doctoral fields listed by the college include performance, piano, collaborative piano, composition, music theory, musicology, and choral conducting.
International students seeking a culturally rich music education can find a wide range of options across Asia. When comparing institutions, students should consider the available majors, teaching language, audition requirements, faculty expertise, tuition costs, scholarships, and visa conditions.
We hope this article has helped you identify music schools in Asia that may suit your academic and professional goals. If you are interested, check out the available courses for international students!
