Schools

10 Best Music Schools in Europe 2024

Best Music Schools in Europe

As a high school student who is interested in music and looking into the Best Music Schools in Europe, planning the music college you want to apply to is one of the most stressful things to do. Students have to carry out extensive research to find out which department in music it is that they are passionate about.

A music career is something that has fascinated a lot of students. It can be a highly rewarding career and is specially picked by students who have a passion for music and would want to follow it strictly. Attending a reputed music school can open doors of opportunities for various students in different positions and roles. 

This career does not necessarily have a fixed route and depends on one’s strength, determination, and resilience. Reputed colleges make the process of networking simple which is essential for having a good career in this field. Hence, getting into a school with a well-earned reputation in terms of opportunities is important. 

Because of their extensive offerings of music courses, excellent conservatories, and professional music ensembles, European nations are popular choices for students studying music. Furthermore, European nations are renowned for introducing a wide range of musical genres, including current and classical. 

Last but not least, these nations provide exceptional chances for overseas students to benefit from high employment and living standards. Students may find it challenging to choose which music school to attend.

We have discussed the top music schools in Europe in this blog so students can choose the one that is worth their time and money. Similarly, students who are interested in film-related careers can also explore film schools in Europe because Europe has some of the best film schools in the world.

What is a music school?

A music school is an educational institution that specialises in the study, training, and research of music. The courses and training here consist of learning musical instruments, singing, musical composition, conducting, musicianship, musicology, music history, and music theory. 

Many nations have specialised music schools, whose mission is to find and help students with extraordinary potential to gain access to top-notch specialised instruction as part of a comprehensive and well-rounded education, allowing them to pursue self-sustaining careers in music if they so choose.

List of Top 10 Best Music Schools in Europe:

1. Royal College of Music:

The Royal College of Music was established in the year 1882 and became one of the world’s greatest conservatories. This is one of the best music schools in Europe and has been ranked as one of the top institutions for music in the content for two years by the QS World University Ranking for Performing Arts. 

This music school has a huge library with more than 400,000 scores, books and recordings, professional-grade studios, and performance spaces. The museum exhibits almost 15,000 instruments, as well as portraits, photographs, and engravings dating back to the 15th century, demonstrating their commitment to providing students and tourists with an unparalleled experience.

  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Degree offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D.

2. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland:

This music school was also known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. It is located in Glasgow which is the largest city in Scotland. It is also known for being a cultural powerhouse of music, theatre, and creative arts. With over 500 public performances hosted by RCS annually, the city itself is already a great learning environment for students, and this will undoubtedly give them amazing exposure to the world of performing arts.

  • Location: Scotland
  • Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D.

3. Royal Academy of Music:

Well-known musicians including Simon Rattle, Annie Lennox, and Elton John are among the distinguished alumni of this top European music school. The oldest conservatoire in the United Kingdom is the Royal Academy of Music, which was established in 1822. 

One of the biggest advantages of this school is its nearly 200-year history, which allows for both tradition and innovation in providing students with top-notch instruction. Additionally, this institution is also accepted as a full member of the University of London which means, interested students can study other subjects in addition to music.

  • Location: United Kingdom:
  • Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional and Advanced Diploma.

4. Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris

The Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris in Europe is the National Conservatory of Music and Dance of Paris. It was established in the year 1795 and is also known to be the first French public institution to offer musical and choreographic arts to students who are passionate and interested in performing arts. 

They enrol over 1,400 students every year and welcome students from around the globe as well. This institution is situated in Paris, France, a stunning city that is also a hub for expanding artistic and creative endeavours. With over 400 artists serving as instructors and mentors, along with other international relationships, this institution can undoubtedly offer students an exceptional education.

  • Location: France
  • Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D.

5. Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien

The Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien also known as University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna is one of the world’s largest and reputed music schools. 

It is located in Vienna, the place also known as the capital of classical music. It is the same place where famous composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud moulded their music. With 4.7 students per instructor, this school has a very advantageous student-instructor ratio that places it among the top music schools in Europe.

  • Location: Austria
  • Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., Diploma Studies. 

6. Norwegian Academy of Music:

The Norwegian Academy of Music is the largest music academy in the nation which offers the best calibre of music instruction and is situated in Oslo, Norway. They provide degree programs covering a broad range of performing arts specialisations, ranging from bachelor’s to doctorate. 

Along with a sizable collection of historical and musical instruments, the site is home to Norway’s largest academic music library. Their research labs, performance halls, and well-equipped teaching and practice studios give students enough opportunity for learning and creative growth.

  • Location: Norway
  • Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., Continuing studies. 

7. Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki

One of the three esteemed academies of the University of Arts Helsinki, the Sibelius Academy is regarded as one of the biggest music academies in Europe. This Helsinki, Finland-based institution has been the mainstay of Finnish music culture for many years due to its excellent faculty, active research program, and abundance of creative learning opportunities for students.

 In addition to housing more than 1,400 gifted and creative students, this institution grants bachelor’s, master’s, licensure, and doctoral degrees.

  • Location: Finland
  • Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Licentiate, Ph.D.

8. The University of Hull:

The University of Hull is a famous one-campus institution that has a proud heritage of academic excellence. The University of Hull provides a music program that prepares its graduates for success in the quick-paced, constantly changing modern music industry. 

Offering a program that allows students to achieve their goals as performers, composers, and songwriters, this is one of Europe’s top music schools. A variety of fundamental technical skills are covered in the curriculum, including festival programming and music theory analysis.

  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Degrees offered: Bachelor’s

9. University of Lincoln:

A public university known for its accomplishments both domestically and abroad is the University of Lincoln. This university is renowned for its cutting-edge research, engaging instruction, and strong business connections. 

The University of Lincoln’s Music Program offers a flexible curriculum with a primary focus on non-Western, pop, rock, and classical music genres. The goal of this program is to support and enhance the practical skills of gifted pupils.

From the most fundamental musical abilities to the ultimate goal of curating an entire music festival in their senior year, the curriculum takes the graduates on a trip.

  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Degrees offered: Bachelor’s

10. Guildhall School of Music and Drama:

The independent conservatoire Guildhall School of Music and Drama is approved by the government. Among the most distinguished institutions in London and all of Europe is this school. 

With a strong desire for innovation and creativity, Guildhall offers students of all ages and backgrounds a top-notch education. By drawing underrepresented students and providing them with an opportunity that could change their lives, the school hopes to make a difference. 

The Guildhall School’s extensive and adaptable music program is designed to accommodate each student’s unique needs. Each student will certainly have at least thirty one-on-one lessons with industry experts. Teachers who are innovative and successful musicians can collaborate with the students hence allowing them to learn more. 

  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Degrees offered: Bachelor’s

Career to pursue with a music degree:

Although musicians and singers hold a prominent place in the music industry, numerous other professionals, including audio engineers, educators, and marketers, can also find work in this field. With a music degree students can apply for the following positions:

1. Music director:

A music director composes, directs, and plans musical performances. A musical group’s whole operation is overseen by the music director. Interpreting composers’ works, marketing tours, raising money, planning unique workshops, and setting up rehearsals are all a part of their profession. Among their responsibilities at work are conducting musical concerts, conducting practices, giving musicians comments, and conducting auditions.

2. Musician:

Professional musicians perform songs, play a variety of instruments, and captivate an audience. They play multiple instruments and are masters of a certain type of music. While some musicians play solo, others could be a part of a band or chorus. These experts play in a variety of musical settings, including theatres, festivals, and concerts. To grow their fan base, musicians consistently submit content on social media sites, hence maintaining a strong online presence. 

3. Audio engineer:

When artists record albums, they need recording equipment that needs to be managed by an audio or sound engineer. Through the selection of suitable microphones and sound manipulation, they capture the instruments and vocals of musicians. Their work entails employing auto-tuning on recordings, incorporating synthesised sound into tracks, and combining segments of other tunes. They frequently work alongside producers and entertainers. 

4. Sound technician:

The technical apparatus used to record, amplify, mix, and reproduce sound is put together, run, and maintained by a sound technician. These experts make sure that the right sound levels and accurate sound mixing are achieved by using a variety of soundboards and audio equipment. They also assist in the balancing, mixing, editing, and polishing of pre-recorded videos during the post-production phase.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Which is the best music school in the world?

College of Music at Berklee. The biggest independent music school in the world and a pioneer in modern music teaching is Berklee. Numerous Grammy Award winners and other accomplished individuals from their programs are well-known worldwide.

2. Which is the cheapest music school in Europe?

The Norwegian Academy of Music is among the least expensive music schools in Europe. The greatest teachers and internationally recognized artists teach at this renowned institution, which is recognized as the most prominent music academy in the nation. The institution provides undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs.

3. Which is the most prestigious music school in the world?

A global pioneer in the teaching of performing arts, The Juilliard School was established in 1905. The goal of this school is to provide exceptional musicians with the best education possible worldwide. It provides undergraduate and graduate music programs.

4. Which is the best music course?

There are various music courses that students can take. However, the top suggested course in music is a Diploma in Music Production followed by a BA in Music and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music. 

5. What are the most prestigious music schools in the UK?

Royal Academy of Music is one of the top most prestigious schools in the United Kingdom followed by University of Oxford and Royal College of Music. 

Conclusion:

Working in the music business provides excellent learning opportunities. With expertise and the quantity of concerts or live performances they do, students’ earnings can rise. Famous people in the music industry include musicians, songwriters, lyricists, and music directors. Being in the music business might make you feel accomplished because there’s a possibility of being recognized.

A wide number of specialisations are available to those who desire to work in this industry, including music production, audio editing etc.

Excellent courses that prepare students for successful careers in the music industry are offered by music schools around Europe. A career in music is one that is always in style and incredibly fulfilling.

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