For high school students, planning for college can be challenging. First, identify the field you are passionate about, and then choose a school that offers the program you want to study. Many graduating students begin by researching universities online.
If you are interested in building a career in music and want to study in Europe, this guide may help you explore your options. Europe has many respected music schools. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Performing Arts, four institutions in the United Kingdom placed in the global top 10. Now, let’s take a look at the best music schools in Europe.
Top Music Schools in Europe
1. Royal College of Music
Founded in 1882, the Royal College of Music (RCM) is a London-based conservatoire. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, RCM ranked first in the United Kingdom and Europe and second globally for both Music and Performing Arts. It offers undergraduate, taught postgraduate, and Ph.D. study options.
Students can also use the RCM Library and visit the RCM Museum as part of the college’s learning environment.
2. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Formerly known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) is based in Glasgow and traces its history to 1847. RCS offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs, as well as research degrees leading to a Ph.D. or MPhil and a Doctor of Performing Arts.
Performance and collaboration are central to the RCS curriculum. The conservatoire reports that it presents more than 500 performances each year.
3. Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music was founded in 1822 as Britain’s first conservatoire and describes itself as Britain’s oldest conservatoire. Notable former students include Sir Elton John and Sir Simon Rattle.
In 1999, the Academy became the first conservatoire to be admitted as a full member of the University of London. It also offers research degrees, including MPhil and Ph.D. programs.
4. National Conservatory of Music and Dance of Paris
- Study Program
- Location: France | Degree(s) Offered: First-cycle, second-cycle, and doctoral programs
Another prominent music school in Europe is the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris, also known as the Conservatoire de Paris. Founded in 1795, it is France’s leading public institution for the transmission of musical and choreographic arts.
The Conservatoire welcomes nearly 1,400 students. According to figures from its 2023 activity report, it had 1,344 students and 391 teaching staff. Its international partnerships, concerts, performances, lectures, and public courses contribute to an active learning environment.
5. University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
Founded in 1817, the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, known as mdw, is a university specializing in music, theater, and film. It is located in Vienna, Austria, a city with a long musical history.
mdw offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral study routes across several artistic and academic disciplines.
6. Norwegian Academy of Music
The Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH) is located in Oslo and has Norway’s largest educational environment in music. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs covering a wide range of specializations, including performance, composition, conducting, research, pedagogy, music therapy, church music, and piano tuning.
The campus includes three concert halls, recording studios, Norway’s largest academic music library, a collection of historical musical instruments, teaching and practice studios, rehearsal rooms, lecture rooms, and research laboratories.
7. University of Hull
The University of Hull offers a BA (Hons) Music course designed for students interested in creative work as performers, composers, songwriters, music technologists, community arts practitioners, or event organizers.
The course develops technical and professional skills through areas such as project management, music theory and analysis, music software, research, curriculum design, and festival programming. Students can also benefit from the university’s partnerships with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera North.
8. University of Lincoln
The University of Lincoln offers a three-year BA (Hons) Music degree. It is a contemporary, industry-focused program for students who want to develop as performers, composers, and collaborators.
The flexible curriculum covers classical, rock, pop, and non-Western music. It connects practice with theory and gives students opportunities to collaborate with people working in areas such as dance, acting, filmmaking, animation, and computer game design.
9. University College Cork
University College Cork (UCC) offers the full-time Arts-Music BA (Hons) program, identified as CK104. The standard Arts-Music pathway takes three years. Students can also follow a four-year BMus (Hons) pathway or a four-year BA (Hons) Arts-Music International pathway that includes study abroad.
Students explore the theory and practice of music and can develop their creative work through solo and ensemble performances. UCC’s Department of Music also offers taught master’s programs and postgraduate research opportunities.
10. Anglia Ruskin University
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) offers a BA (Hons) Music Performance degree in Cambridge. The standard course takes three years, while four-year placement and foundation-year options are also available.
The course helps students analyze and deconstruct different styles of performance, songwriting, and composition while developing their own musical and performance identities. It also supports the development of practical skills and industry knowledge.
We hope that you found this article on music schools in Europe informative and helpful. To learn more, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students.
