Choosing to study music in any of the music schools in England is a great move. Music is an abstract language that connects different parts of your brain in ways that only language can. Learning and playing music produces synapses that connect visual, audio, motor skills, abstract thinking and so on in ways that even Language cannot do so.
By connecting your brain in various ways, research has shown that students test better at math, science and engineering, and when they are getting old, they remain very innovative in thinking.
There are almost no other activities that require the simultaneous use of both halves of the brain, which is one reason why the corpus Colosseum, the part of the brain that connects the two halves of your brain, is always larger in musicians. Yes, music makes you smarter.
As adults, we are just beginning to learn the health benefits. Music can slow or stop the progress of Parkinson’s disease, dementia and Alzheimers. It reduces depression, and also lowers heart rate and cholesterol ratings, among other things, lowering the risk for stroke and heart disease.
So, you see, music is beyond arts and all those soft squishy reasons. Music makes you a better person. Read on to see the music schools in England.
The list of the top music schools in England
- Birmingham Ormiston Academy
- Chetham’s School of Music
- The Purcell School for Young Musicians
- Yehudi Menuhin School
- Wells Cathedral School
- Royal College of Music
- Royal Academy of Music
- Guildhall School of Music and Drama
- Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
- Royal Northern College of Music
- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
- Leeds Conservatoire
- London College of Creative Media
Birmingham Ormiston Academy
This is regarded as one of the top music schools in England because they offer BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Practice.
Their BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Practice is an intensive and exciting 2-year course, delivered by highly-qualified teaching staff.
This qualification has a strong practical basis giving students the opportunity to develop their personal potential and acquire a wide range of practical skills which will support further study or entry into employment in relevant industries.
The course makes extensive use of BOA’s excellent resources including a recital room, 11 practice rooms and a Recording Studio.
This program is a medical program and is designed for students who already have a passion for and love to experience music.
The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Practice consists of 4 Modules over 2 years.
The modules are made up of assessment units that contribute to the final overall grade awarded at the end of the course.
BOA is one hundred per cent selective based on aptitude within the specialisms and is unique in both its admissions and approach to education.
Chetham’s School of Music
The thriving creative community at Chetham’s involves over 300 students aged 8-18, whose common passion is simply music.
This is one of the music schools in England that is based solely on musical ability or potential, never on background or ability to pay, thanks to the generous bursaries through the Government’s Music and Dance Scheme.
Chetham’s is the largest specialist Music School in the UK and is the only one based in the north of England.
The school is also a national and international resource for music education.
They welcome teachers, professional players, composers and conductors.
They also welcome community groups, school children and other young musicians-whether they are experienced or inexperienced-to make music.
Their network of partnerships with professional orchestras and organizations extends across the music industry.
Based in the heart of Manchester, Chetham’s is housed in a state-of-the-art New School Building, with an acoustically designed concert hall offering a flawless venue for student performances and professional concerts.
Chetham’s long history began in 1421, and students still enjoy opportunities to perform in the 600-year old Baronial Hall attached to Chetham’s Library.
If you are offered a place at Chetham’s your parents will be asked to provide their income details to the Bursa who will then calculate what their annual contribution to the fees will be.
As a rough guide, if your parents earn less than £13,000 per year they will pay nothing towards your boarding fees and education.
If your parents earn over £196,000 a year then they will be asked to pay full fees.
MDS, UK & Existing Overseas day Students: £ 25,846 per annum
MDS, UK & Existing Overseas Boarding Students Fee: £ 33,357 per annum
See full details of their tuition.
The Purcell School for Young Musicians
The Purcell School is a co-educational boarding and day school for young musicians aged 10 to 18, and Britain’s oldest music school.
Based on the outskirts of London, in Bushey, Hertfordshire, the school provides a rounded education with music at its heart to approximately 180 talented young players, singers and composers.
Getting into the school is based mainly upon musical ability and potential.
It doesn’t depend on the background or ability of students to pay, thanks to the Government’s Music and Dance Scheme and the School’s own Bursaries.
Oftentimes, students of The Purcell School regularly win scholarships to the best music colleges in the UK and abroad and enjoy frequent success in competitions across the globe.
The school offers financial assistance with fees in the form of music and dance schemes and other bursaries.
Means-tested bursaries are available via the Department for Education’s Music and Dance Scheme. In order to be eligible for the Scheme in September 2022, the student must have been resident in the UK from 1st January 2020 to 31 December 2021.
Students who are not eligible for the Music and Dance Scheme may apply for assistance from the School’s Bursary Fund.
Boarding students Tuition Fee: £34,188
Day students Tuition Fee: £26,775
These fees cover the cost of tuition, including instrumental lessons as allocated by the School. Boarding fees include accommodation, all meals and laundry costs.
Yehudi Menuhin School
This is one of the top music schools in England that was founded in the year 1963.
When the School was founded in 1963, students studied either the violin (with all violinists also playing the viola), cello or piano.
Since then, the double bass and classical guitar have been added to the list of instruments taught as a principal study.
In addition, the majority of pupils have a supporting study, with all string players learning the piano and the pianists studying either a stringed instrument, the harpsichord or harp.
Singing is also available as a further supporting study.
They can take you on:
- Violin & Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Piano
- Guitar
- Improvisation
- Chamber music
- Composition
- General music
- Harpsichord
- Harp
- Singing
Wells Cathedral School
This is one of the independent schools that is also regarded as one of the top music schools in England with various school stages such as the Little Wellies Nursery, Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form.
This institutions music school boasts of a wider educational context so that non-specialist and specialist musicians can benefit from a comprehensive range of academic subjects and co-curriculum activities.
They have world-class instrumental teachers, visiting artists and access to amazing facilities.
Wells is one of the music schools in England that offers a specialist music scheme for pupils who wish to pursue a career in music.
In Wales, pupils are considered to have the potential to become musicians and develop their musical skills and interests.
Therefore each student is provided with the right balance of subjects as they journey through school.
Here are the musical disciplines that they offer:
- Brass
- Choristers
- Composition
- Jazz
- Keyboard
- Percussion
- Popular music
- Strings
- Vical and Choral
- Woodwind
Every year, this institution offers a number of financial awards and scholarships to recognize talent and potential in a wide variety of fields.
They do award a finite number of scholarships worth up to 50% of day fees for truly exceptional candidates, which will be awarded solely at their discretion.
See full details about their tuition.
Royal College of Music
This has been one of the world’s greatest conservatoires. They teach exceptional students from all backgrounds and cultures, encouraging music as an art form, as well as enriching our society and shared experiences.
Royal College of Music degrees is designed to build students’ academic and practical skills, allowing them to develop into well-rounded professionals with high levels of musicianship. RCM students are flexible, thoughtful and well-informed about music.
They have shaped their courses to allow for specialization and flexibility. See details about fees.
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music is dedicated to training the musicians of the future.
They were founded in the year 1822 and have been focused on musical excellence.
Students get to perform and learn with their outstanding teaching staff.
Their students represent the very best talent from over 60 countries.
There are students loans, bursaries, funding from external organizations, and scholarships to help students pay for school.
Find out about their tuition on their website.
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School is a vibrant, international community of musicians, actors and production artists in the heart of the City of London.
They are ranked as the top conservatoire in the Guardian University Guide music league table and second in the Complete University Guide arts, drama and music league table we deliver world-class professional training in partnership with distinguished artists, companies and ensembles.
They offer an undergraduate degree-BMus (Hons) with Principal Study in:
- Strings
- Harp & Guitar
- Wind
- Brass & Percussion
- Keyboard
- Vocal Studies
- Composition
- Electronic
- Music
- Jazz
There are postgraduate degrees and other music short courses.
Studying at Guildhall School is affordable and the School is committed to ensuring that the cost of tuition should not deter you from applying. There are a number of measures in place to help you meet the cost.
See tuition details here.
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
Trinity Laban is a pioneering force in music education, influential in the training of musicians for classroom teaching, 1-2-1 teaching and community music-making.
They have the following departments:
- Composition
- Jazz
- Strings
- Keyboard
- Vocal studies
- Wind, Brass & Percussion
- Popular music
- Music Education
- Junior trinity
This is one of the music schools in England that offer a wide range of scholarships to reward and encourage students and help them fulfil their potential.
The majority of our scholarship awards are given in the form of a reduction in your tuition fees. See tuition details.
Royal Northern College of Music
Founded in the year 1973, this is one of the top music schools in England that was founded through a merger.
Royal Manchester College of Music and Northern School of Music gave rise to the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM).
This music school is home to over 900 students from more than 60 countries, it is dedicated to providing an outstanding education that propels students into careers as inspiring and versatile musicians, fully-equipped for exciting futures both on and off stage. Check out their tuition details on their website.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
This is not just one o the top music schools in England, it is a world-class institution providing exceptional training for the musicians, actors, stage managers and performers of tomorrow.
With limitless collaboration opportunities for staff and students, the Conservatoire is a stimulating environment with an international reputation that celebrates diversity.
Some of their departments include:
- Browse all
- Brass
- Chamber Music
- Composition
- Conducting
- Early Music
- Jazz
- Keyboard
Depending on your course or level, this is one of the music schools in England where you can be able to receive financial support when it comes to tuition fees and living costs.
Leeds Conservatoire
Leeds Conservatoire is one of the music schools in England that offers a broad range of courses across music performance, composition, production, and performing arts.
They also have a suite of music and performing arts postgraduate courses that helps students develop their career and become innovative professionals.
Leeds conservative provides a range of scholarships and bursaries to ensure that no applicant is deterred from applying because of financial reasons.
BA (Hons) Music and Performing Arts courses (single, combined and foundation year) – £9,250 per year.
Foundation Degrees – £9,250 per year.
The fees are per academic year and may be subject to government-approved increases in future years.
London College of Creative Media
LCCM is the highest-ranked provider of music performance and music business degrees in the UK by student satisfaction (NSS 2019, 2020 & 2021).
They have degrees awarded by the University for the creative arts.
This leading arts university in national league tables (2020) and awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
Tuition: Bachelors: £ 15,000(Fees might vary )
The annual cost of living at the University is £9,000 approx.
What’s next after graduation from the music schools in England
Graduates from any of the music schools in England can successfully enter the music and audio industry across a wide range of destinations.
From music production, sound design and audio post, through technical development, acoustic consultancy and education.
Some students after graduation from the music schools in England progress to postgraduate studies, doctoral and post-doctoral research and academic careers.
Graduates from music schools in England also take jobs as assistant studio engineers, DSP engineers, music technicians, junior audio designers, audio dubbing engineers and many more.
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