From famous musicians like Michael Jackson to Madonna to Rihanna, these musicians have always entertained the world with their mind-blowing compositions. Whether music is your passion or you are planning to pursue a degree in it, a music college helps polish one’s natural talent. If you are planning to pursue a degree in music then what better nation than the UK? The British land is home to some of the best music colleges in the UK that boast & are known for their high-quality education and training.
11 Best Music Colleges in the UK
We have made a list of the best music colleges in UK to help you make the right choice. Whether you want to make your career in composition, production, or research, these music schools will broaden your skills and open the way for a better future in the music industry. Let’s take a look at some of the best colleges in UK to help you make the right choice.
1. Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Year of Establishment: 1880
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Location: Silk St, London EC2Y 8DT, United Kingdom
Notable Alumni: Daniel Craig, Lily James
Top Courses: BA in Music
Ranking: Top 10 Performing Arts Institutions in the World (QS World University Rankings 2023)
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is known as one of the best music colleges in UK for its wide range of courses that it offers. With an easy application process students can take admission and pursue their dreams of becoming a musician. The school has a thriving community of musicians, composers, and actors that makes the culture of the school vibrant and dynamic. Fulfill your dream of becoming the next musician by understanding the core values of music and applying them.
2. University of Surrey
Year of Establishment: 1966
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Location: Stag Hill, University Campus, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
Notable Alumni: Susan Blackmore
Top Courses: BMus (Hons) Music
Ranking: 244 in QS World University Rankings 2024
The Department of Music at the University of Surrey is highly regarded for its program that focuses on providing students with a broad understanding of music theory, performance, history, and technology. The University’s state-of-the-art facilities are known for hosting musical events, including workshops, concerts, and masterclasses that give students exposure to the world of music. Students will learn about a wide range of music subjects, from medieval music to women in music, fundamentals of music technology and production, and screen music studies. It is considered one of the best music schools in UK.
3. Royal Academy of Music
Year of Establishment: 1822
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Location: Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5HT, United Kingdom
Notable Alumni: Evelyn Glennie
Top Courses: Bachelor of Music (Honours) Jazz
Ranking: 3 in QS World University Rankings by Subject
Royal Academy of Music has become one of the best music colleges in UK for its world-class facilities and various industry-related programs in the field of music. The program offered at the university focuses on covering the historical context of jazz music in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. These programs ensure that even a novice can master aural, transcription, and rhythmic skills.
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4. Royal College of Music
Year of Establishment: 1882
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Location: Prince Consort Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2BS, United Kingdom
Notable Alumni: Evelyn Glennie
Top Courses: Bachelor of Music (BMus)
Ranking: 1 in QS WUR Ranking by Subject 2023
When discussing the best music colleges in UK, how can we forget to include the Royal College of Music? RCM’s diverse subjects and programs are designed to present a global musical perspective that will help students understand the core of music. Students will be introduced to the history and cultural elements in the first year, which will help them build a strong base.
5. University of Cambridge
Year of Establishment: 1209
Acceptance Rate: 21%
Location: The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN, United Kingdom
Notable Alumni: Stephen Hawking
Top Courses: BA (Hons) Music
Tuition Fees: £30,322/Year
QS Ranking: 1
Some of the finest music composers, such as Judith Weir, Errollyn Wallen, Thomas Ades, and Steven Price, have been associated with the University of Cambridge. Students will get an environment where they can enhance their musical skills as the staff focuses on the strong academic component, history of music, analysis, composition and performance. The University of Cambridge offers a spectacular professional concert hall with a seating capacity of 500 people. An extensive library of music, books, periodicals, and recordings lets students enhance their knowledge. With a wide range of facilities at one's disposal, the University of Cambridge is definitely one of the best music colleges in UK.
6. University College London
Year of Establishment: 1826
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Location: Gower St, London WC1E 6AE, United Kingdom
Notable Alumni: Christopher Nolan
Top Courses: MA Music Education
Ranking: 9 in QS World University Rankings 2024
Another one on our list of the best music colleges in UK is the spectacular University College London. The university is known for its unique approach to teaching, which has made it part of the list of top 20 universities in the world. UCL currently has over 18,000 international students from around 150+ countries across the world.
7. University of Edinburgh
Year of Establishment: 1583
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Location: Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, United Kingdom
Notable Alumni: J.K.Rowling
Top Courses: MA in History of Art and History of Music
Ranking: 22nd in QS World University Rankings 2024
The University of Edinburgh has rightly made its way onto the list of the best music colleges in UK. This world-renowned university is known for its research techniques, which have made it ranked 4th in the UK. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
8. King’s College London
Year of Establishment: 1829
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Location: Strand, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
Notable Alumni: John Ruskin
Top Courses: Music BMus
Ranking: 40 in QS World University Rankings 2024
King George IV and the Duke of Wellington founded this public research university in London. The university has consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, which makes it one of the best music colleges in UK. The university is famous for its modern techniques and equipment, libraries, lecture halls, and student support services.
9.The University of Manchester
Year of Establishment: 2004
Acceptance Rate: 27%
Location: Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
Notable Alumni: Benedict Cumberbatch
Top Courses: MusB Music
Ranking: 32 in QS World University Rankings
Talking about the best music colleges in UK then, the University of Manchester has to be on the list. At the university, students would get the chance to develop an advanced understanding of the interpretation of music through analysis, historical research, cultural critique, and performance. Get hands-on experience with various musical instruments exclusively available for students at the university.
10. University of Bristol
Year of Establishment: 1876
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Location: Beacon House, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1QU, United Kingdom
Notable Alumni: Simon Pegg
Top Courses: BA Music and French
Ranking: 55 in QS World University Rankings 2024
The University of Bristol offers a wide range of units across composition, performance, and music history, which makes it one of the best music colleges in UK. The city is the centre of the creative industry, which gives students and staff to participate in various musical events that happen in the city. Ranked amongst the UK’s top 10 universities in league tables for its unique research method and a special focus on teaching techniques.
11. University of Birmingham
Year of Establishment: 1900
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Notable Alumni: Tim Curry
Top Courses:
Ranking: 84 in QS World University Rankings
Presented with the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London, the University of Birmingham has made its way to our list of the best music colleges in UK. With a mission to provide world-class research and outstanding global education, this university attracts many music lovers every year. Known for its highly diverse communities, staff, and multifarious student body, the university provides a thriving culture for students to grow.
This was our list of the best music colleges in UK that excel in the music industry and have made their mark by producing some of the greatest musicians of all time. These best music schools in UK have paved the way for future musicians by providing them with all the means to become professional musicians. If you have already made up your mind to study in one of these music colleges in UK, then make traveling around the city easy by referring to Ultimate Guide To UK Transportation.