The best colleges are already hard to get into, but the best performing arts schools have a reputation for being even more selective and intense. If you are a high school student serious about your music career, then you might already have an idea of where you want to go to college. Below, we present you the most prestigious music schools in the world that will give you the best education and mentorship:

What Career Opportunities are Open to Graduates with a Music Degree?

Prospective career pathways for a music graduate are endless. A degree in music equips students with the skills to communicate, think critically, plan, organize, and work under pressure in team settings. It could be self-run work like freelance performing, composing, managing events, and other company-based roles. Jobs like teaching music, producing, musical therapy, special effects, and sound engineering are directly linked to knowledge obtained through a musical degree.

Other jobs like an acoustic consultant, choreographer, and talent agent, could help with a degree in music. Although the success of a music graduate depends entirely on the hard work one puts in, there are multiple pathways graduates could follow after having completed their course of study.

Top Music Schools in the World for International Students

Following a suitable program regardless of your chosen career pathway, is sure to help you get ahead in any industry. Here are some of the best schools for music from around the world that international students could study at.

1. The Juilliard School

The most well-known and most renowned of all the music schools, Julliard sits at the top of this list. Founded in 1905, this New York City-based university aims to train already gifted performing arts students by providing them with the highest caliber education and training so that they may become the best and brightest in their field.

Students interested in getting a Juilliard music degree can choose between 6 programs to follow – Instruments, Vocal Arts, Jazz Studies, Historical Performance, Composition, and Conducting. Most of these courses offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees and diplomas. Whichever they may choose, students are always presented with the opportunity to perform in front of an audience, an aspect of the Julliard education that is highly valued.

2. Berklee College of Music

The Berklee institution itself is made up of 2 separate colleges – the Berklee College of Music, which has three campuses in Boston, New York, and Valencia, and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Both are exceptional, but we focus on the Berklee College of Music, which is one of the world’s most renowned colleges of music and is known for its cutting-edge facilities and exceptional faculty.

The college offers high-quality music programs both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. For the undergraduate degree, one can earn a Bachelor of Music degree in 12 different majors, such as Composition and Film Scoring, or a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Industry Leadership and Innovation. Graduate students can then earn a Master’s degree in different fields, like Global Jazz and Music Business, in the three campuses or even online.

3. Yale University

Yale University is among the top universities for music across the globe, consistently places at the top of university rankings in a wide scope of fields, and that includes music. The Yale School of Music prides itself not only on being the only separate school of music in the prestigious Ivy League but also on being one of the best music programs in the world. YSM’s students get top-tier education with its abundance of resources and state-of-the-art facilities.

YSM offers degrees in 12 areas of study, including Composition and Piano. Undergraduate students who want to get into the B.A./M.M. program must be accepted into Yale College and have a successful audition with the School Music. In the graduate programs, most students are actually under the two-year Master of Music program to develop a specialty in their chosen field, but there is also a doctoral degree program for anyone who wants to have intensive training along with theory and historical studies.

4. New England Conservatory of Music

  • Location: USA | Medium of Instruction: English
  • Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
  • Study Program

As the US’ oldest independent music conservatory, the New England Conservatory of Music has established itself as one of the most esteemed schools of music around the globe. Its students are exposed to first-rate education and training by the internationally distinguished faculty, all while being in a dynamic, diverse, and innovative environment.

NEC’s bachelor’s degree delivers excellent music programs around the world that are offered in 11 majors, from Brass to Vocal Performance. Double degree programs with Tufts University and Harvard College allow students who have a passion for music and another field to pursue both interests. Like YSM, most NEC students are also under the Master of Music program which is offered in 17 majors including Music Theory and Choral Conducting. Finally, the doctoral degree is created for professional musicians who would like to develop leadership skills as well.

5. University of Southern California

Founded in 1884, the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music in LA’s oldest cultural institution is an excellent music school in the world that has been continually running. It is considered an elite music school, consistently topping the list of USA’s music schools and conservatories. It offers a rigorous education in the style of a conservatory in an environment where cutting-edge research is performed.

Its undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered in many different majors – some falling under Bachelor of Music and some falling under Bachelor of Science. For the former, students can take studies in 13 majors including Choral and Sacred Music and Music Industry. For the latter, graduate students can choose among those majors with the addition of some others like Arts Leadership, and Early Music Performance.

6. Curtis Institute of Music

  • Location: USA | Medium of Instruction: English
  • Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
  • Study Program

The Curtis Institute of Music is one of the top schools for music around the world and is known for its small student body but still world-class music education. Because of its size, each student gets a good amount of attention from the renowned faculty, personalizing their education. Despite its prestige, students at Curtis do not have to pay tuition thanks to its many grants and financial aid. This ensures that the most promising students, regardless of financial status, have the chance to get top-tier education.

The institute offers its undergraduate degree in 6 majors – Composition, Keyboard, Guitar, Orchestral Instrument, Voice, and Liberal Arts. Meanwhile, the two-year master’s degree provides highly proficient musicians the training they need to specialize in the field of their liking. The specializations are in Piano, Composition, Orchestral Instruments, Guitar, Organ, and Opera.

7. The Royal Academy of Music

The only non-US institution on the list, the Royal Academy of Music is an excellent institution for music in the world that was founded in 1822 and is the UK’s oldest conservatoire. It aims to push music forward by allowing generation after generation of musicians to create, connect, and collaborate. They are known for their top-class curriculum and world-famous alumni such as Elton John and Felicity Lott.

The academy has 22 different departments where students can take their studies in. The bachelor’s degree incorporates instrumental studies, live performances, soft skills development, and academic studies together to produce competent and confident musicians. On the other hand, there are 3 graduate degrees – 2 Master of Arts and 1 Master of Music. The former is for those who want to develop their practical skills, while the latter is for those who want to develop academic or creative projects.

The art of music involves both personal skill and knowledge. If you are passionate about pursuing a musical career, getting the right education could be the reason you get ahead in the industry. A music career could be a challenge worth pursuing if you are adamant about honing your musical skills.

8. Royal College of Music

Established by royal charter as a conservatory back in 1882, the Royal College of Music in South Kensington, London, has become one of the leading bodies of education providers in the music industry. Programs including training are offered in all undergraduate and postgraduate levels of Western Music covering multiple facets of the subject- composing, conducting, performing, and theoretical music being some of the most focused aspects.

The Royal College of Music, also known as RCM, holds a vibrant student body that includes international students. Over the years it has created significant figures in the music industry, including some of the prominent individuals in the “English Musical Renaissance” of the past two centuries. Some of them are John Ireland, Sir James Galway, Julian Lloyd Webber, and the popular guitarist John Williams.

9. Indiana University – Jacobs School of Music

With over 70 academic programs, a large student body following programs from undergraduate to Ph.D., and over 1,100 musical performances annually, studying at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University would be a very active and intensive experience. The university believes in perfection through practice, which is why students are exposed to multiple performance opportunities throughout their academic life in their own fields of expertise.

The professional program guides at the university are 210 celebrated teachers and performers who are recognized internationally. The school’s success over the years has birthed an alumni network of over 16000 students who are scholars, dancers, and musicians making waves across the world. Studying here is sure to open up multiple opportunities for your future as an artist.

10. Conservatoire de Paris

  • Location: France | Medium of Instruction: French
  • Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
  • Study Program

The Conservatory of Paris is one of the oldest universities for music from around the world. However, being one of the oldest is not the only reason it has become one of the best in the world. The university is recognized as one of the country’s most influential music schools. Founded in the wake of the French Revolution, the Conservatoire de Paris, located in the capital city of France boasts both traditionality and innovation in its programs in music.

The school takes in only a limited number of students each year with one of the slimmest chances of being accepted to the most in-demand programs. This makes the competition for placement high. This is how the university consistently produces professionals that are recognized internationally with due respect to the notable alumni of the school which include the likes of Claude Debussy, Pierre Boulez, and Olivier Messiaen.

11. University of Music and Performing Arts

Musical icons like Mozart, Strauss, and Shubert hail from Austria, which is why it’s no wonder we’d have world-class universities in the country celebrating their greatness. The University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna offers multiple arts-focused degrees including music, theater, and filmmaking which are all taught in the German language.

Unlike many universities worldwide, this university doesn’t have a quota limit for international students. This means that the competition is based entirely on talent and dedication demonstrated by a particular student rather than their nationality. The university has a massive student body of over 3,000 students hailing from 70+ different nations from around the world. All this goes without saying that this university is ideal for international students passionate about the art of music if only they are dedicated enough to learn the German language.

12. Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory

  • Location: Russia | Medium of Instruction: Russian
  • Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Postgraduate, training courses
  • Study Program | Tuition Fees

Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory is a musical educational institute in Moscow, Russia that is backed by a number of world-class industry experts in the country. Programs are offered at all levels including bachelor’s, master’s, and PhDs. Having been established as the Moscow Imperial Conservatory in 1866, this is one of the two oldest and most popular conservatories in Russia.

The school has a mix of both international and local students. Since all programs are offered in Russian, applicants are expected to have a level of proficiency in the language. The staff includes a well-versed set of professionals including contemporary notables like Yuri Bashmet, Andrei Eshpai, and Valery Popov.

13. Manhattan School of Music

Established in 1917, the private music conservatory, Manhattan School of Music is a world recognized university offering doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s programs in music. Programs are mostly focused on the performance and composition of jazz, classical music, and musical theater. The school is located on Claremont Avenue in Morningside Heights, New York which is exactly where The Institute of Musical Art was located before shifting to its new location as Juilliard School of Music (also in our list).

A quick look at the list of alumni would indicate that there are from all around the world who study and have studied at this esteemed institution. Some of them are figures like Gordon Turk, Jovianney Emmanual Cruz, and Yusef Lateef. While it’s not a large school, the university has a comparatively less competitive acceptance rate. It’s always worth the effort if it means studying at one of the world’s premier music conservatories.

14. Columbia College Chicago – Music Department

Offering over 150 programs, the Columbia College of Chicago is a private, nonprofit college known for its unique standards of education in arts subjects. Though it’s a private university, it ranks highly on international rankings including the infamous QS World Ranking of Universities which placed it at #23. It’s a long-standing institution in the state, having been founded in 1890. It has also become one of the largest universities since.

The University’s music department offers a B.A. in Music that focuses on popular music, jazz, and contemporary music. Students are equipped with the necessary skills not only to compose but also to improvise, arrange, incorporate technology, and more. Students are exposed to opportunities to practice including in ensembles where a variety of styles and genres are incorporated. Programs include private lessons from faculty members who are experienced professionals in the musical industry.

15. Oberlin Conservatory of Music

Globally recognized for its elite past pupils, the Oberlin Conservative in Ohio, is one of the popular study destinations for music-inclined international students. The conservatory is proudly the only music conservatory in the nation to be awarded the National Medal of Arts. This is reflective of its excellence since the establishment of the conservatory back in 1833.

The school has an acceptance rate of 38% to programs including bachelor’s, master’s, and other diploma programs. It also offers a dual degree program that is popular among students. The college is known for its room for financial aid and relatively high employability post-graduation.

16. University of Rochester – Eastman School of Music

George Eastman of the Eastman-Kodak company founded the Eastman School of Music, a branch of the University of Rochester in 1921. Being an entrepreneur himself, Eastman’s vision behind this initiative was to provide opportunities for young musicians and talented individuals to pursue education in the context of excellence and affordability.

Offering both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, the university has over 1000 students enrolled. Not only is the school accepting students from across the nation but also a fourth of the university’s students hail from nations across the world. The Eastman School of Music has 13 departments, each specializing in aspects of music like Jazz, Applied Music, Music Education, and more. The offered qualifications are recognized in many parts of the world, as is the case with this reputed university itself.

17. New England Conservatory of Music

The New England Conservatory of Music offers a wide range of bachelor’s degrees and other diplomas in a variety of instruments and vocal genres. Programs include contemporary musical arts, writing and composition, jazz, and music history.

The New England Conservatory of Music has a separate preparatory school for newbies in the field, that equips them with all the necessary tools to become lifelong learners and accomplished musicians. Young and budding musicians at the university afford the luxury of exploring instruments of their interest very early on in their journey. In addition, vocalists and composers are also given extensive training on their path of choice.

18. Mannes School of Music

Founded in 1916 by David Mannes, former concertmaster of the New York Symphony Orchestra, and his wife, the Mannes School of Music is a private research institute in the city of New York. With an acceptance rate of 24%, getting into this prestigious school of music can be quite challenging.

New York is definitely one of the central regions for music in the United States, despite having a lot of competition in the industry. Students who graduate also get the opportunity to gain exposure to the industry at a job/ internship which could just be a train ride away.

19. John Hopkins University – Peabody Institute

The Peabody Institute of Music of John Hopkins University is located right in front of the Washington Monument Circle in Baltimore Maryland. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in a number of disciplines within the faculty of music. The university boasts a history of over 150 years of producing industry professionals and experts.

The university has a limited intake with an acceptance rate of 38%, giving the opportunity only to the best applicants from around the world. The institute’s reputable alumni are active members of 30 professional orchestras around the world, shining the name of this world-class institute for music.

20. Sibelius Academy

Located in the beautiful capital city of Helsinki, the Sibelius Academy is one of the pioneering education providers in music across the EU. The institute is named after Jean Sibelius, an iconic composer born and nurtured in the city of Helsinki. The institute has significance for its connection to the rich culture and vibrance of the musical world.

The school has a bottleneck acceptance rate of 8% filtering out only the most competent applicants from the crowd for their undergraduate, graduate, doctorate, and licentiate degree programs. It welcomes talented students from around the world and also has an overseas exchange program with our previously listed school, the Peabody Institute. Past students include highly skilled musicians like Sakari Oramo, conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

 

There are many music schools and conservatories worldwide that can offer you quality education and training should you want to pursue a musical career. However, earning a degree from these world-class universities – some of which are household names to even those who know nothing about the performing arts – will get you far ahead of the game and push your career far beyond expectations.

 

We hope that this article on the Best Music Schools in the World was helpful. Make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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