Music is Universal, it is more than a billion-dollar industry. How many hours in a row do you ever go without listening to music? Everywhere you go, everything you watch— music, always music.
We are literally surrounded by it, bathe in it, and soaked in it.
Then why would you not want to know more about something that is constantly present in our lives?
The importance of music education continues to be recognized in everyday life and as such music schools in London must not compromise on the quality of instructors or curriculum in order to ensure children are taught correctly and gain life skills from the instruction.
As a matter of fact, Music and all Fine Arts should be considered “academic electives” in secondary schools and available to all students on a multi-year basis to allow adequate time for skills to develop sufficiently for informed decisions about college programs and career choices.
In this article, we will not only list the top music schools in London, but also the numerous benefits of Music Education.
Study in London
London is one of Europe’s leading cultural capitals. It is a city of remarkable heritage. It has a vibrant social activity and cutting-edge development.
Therefore whatever your interests are, it has something for you.
London is home to a truly international community, from across Europe and beyond.
London offers an electric mix of food, shopping, arts and entertainment.
The city regularly hosts leading orchestras and musicians from around the world at acclaimed venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Southbank Centre, Wigmore Hall, Barbican Centre and Royal Opera House. There is also world-class theatre, dance and art on offer.
You will not only find the top music schools in London but also London has iconic historical monuments and respected cultural institutions.
Whether you’re looking for artistic masterpieces, ancient treasures, a slice of British history, or a tranquil rest in the park, there’s always something to keep you captivated.
Many of the city’s museums and galleries are free and several attractions offer discounted tickets for students.
Study in the UK
When it comes to education, business, communications and the arts, the UK is a world leader.
All that is reinforced by a spirit of bold experimentation, creativity and growth, as well as a healthy celebration of heritage and tradition.
The UK is a fantastic destination for students of the arts, who can easily take advantage of access to some of the most revered names in music, theatre, opera, film, news media, broadcasting and journalism.
Educational excellence
As you know, some of the world’s most respected higher education institutions are based in the United Kingdom and the country’s reputation for educational excellence is well known, drawing in more than 500,000 international students each year.
Not just about the music schools in London, the teaching and learning in the UK are usually rated first-class, thanks in part to an excellent reputation for academic innovation over the last 1000 years.
A welcoming society
British people are known to be friendly and welcoming. They happily show you around and give you tips on where to go and what to see.
It is easy to enjoy the full richness of the British culture on a reasonable budget thanks to the compact size of the country.
Modern art galleries, ancient monuments, dramatic mountains, beautiful coastlines, towering cities and rolling countryside are all within easy reach.
Meet people from all over the world
If you have decided to study in the music schools in London, UK society is a safe one, their society is tolerant and respectful.
It embraces and celebrates many different cultures and faiths, particularly in places like London.
In the UK, people who share similar cultural backgrounds often form small communities, which provide specialist shops, restaurants and places of worship. However, people from all backgrounds work, live and socialise together.
That simply means that wherever you come from, you’re almost sure that you will find others who speak the same language and who share your values.
Apart from that, UK Universities are known to be culturally vibrant and making friends is so easy.
Choosing to study in the UK can be an unforgettable and life-changing experience.
Some of the benefits of Music education
(1) Individuals who study music in the music schools in London tend to have larger vocabularies and advanced reading skills than their peers who do not participate in music lessons.
(2) Children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all of their studies, work better in teams, have enhanced critical thinking skills, stay in school and pursue further education.
(3) Individuals who study music tend to have increased coordination. This simply means that students who practice with musical instruments can improve their hand-eye coordination.
(4) Music is the fabric of our society, and music can shake abilities and character.
Students in band or orchestra are less likely to abuse substances over their lifetime. Musical education can greatly contribute to children’s intellectual development as well.
(5) The music schools in London with music programs have an estimated 90.2% graduation rate and 93.9% attendance rate compared to schools that do not offer music education, which has about 72.9% graduation and 84.9% attendance.
(6) A Stanford study has shown that music engages areas of the brain which are involved in paying attention, making predictions and updating events in our memory.
(7) Music offers emotional development and as such students of music can be more emotionally developed, and above all with empathy towards other cultures.
Students who study music in the music schools in London also tend to have higher self-esteem and above all are better at coping with anxiety.
(8) Music helps students develop better communication as well.
The 10 Best Music Colleges in London
Below are the top 10 music schools in London.
- Royal College of Music
- Royal Academy of Music
- Guildhall School of Music and Drama
- Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music and Dance
- The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP)
- University of East London
- London College of Creative Media
- BIMM Institute
- City University London
- Goldsmiths, University of London
Now let us review these 10 music schools in London.
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is one of the world’s greatest conservatoires. True to their founders’ intentions, they teach exceptional students from all backgrounds and cultures, encouraging music as an art form, as well as enriching our society and shared experiences.
With a student cohort numbering some 60 nationalities, the Royal College of Music is determined to play its part.
Their most talented students have all their fees covered by scholarships and almost half of RCM students receive some financial support from them.
Tuition fees are revised annually for Home and Overseas students. The increase is normally between 2% and 5% and is applied annually to each year of the programme.
Find tuition here.
Royal Academy of Music
This is one of the music schools in London that is for students who are interested in expanding their boundaries through music composition, performance, or scholarships.
This is one of the music schools in London that is staffed with professional musicians, music scholars and composers.
This is one of the music schools in London where you can join any of the following departments:
- Academic studies
- Brass
- Composition & Contemprary music
- Guitar
- Historical performance
- Junior academy
- Open academy
- Organ
- Piano accompaniment
- Strings
- Vocal studies
- Accordion
- Choral conducting
- Harp
- Jazz
- Musical theartre
- Opera
- Piano
- Research
- Timpani & Percussion
- Woodwind
At the Royal Academy of music, scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and bursaries and also based on financial need.
See Royal Academy of Music tuition.
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.
It is ranked as a 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 are global leaders when it comes to creative and professional practice while they promote experiment, innovation and research.
This institution is one of the music schools in London that is the UK’s leading provider.
of lifelong learning in the performing arts, offering inspiring training for children, young people, adult learners, and creative and business professionals.
Bachelor of Music: Years 1 to 4: £23,120
BA in Production Art: Years 1 to 3:£23,120
BA in Video Design for Live Performance: Years 1 to 3: £23,120
Guildhall School of Music and Drama fees and funding
Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music and Dance
This is one of the music schools in London that offers innovative course provision, exciting performances, and groundbreaking education.
Their teaching facilities are world-class and above all, they bring together performers and practitioners to train, collaborate, research and perform in inspiring creative, intellectual and physical spaces.
Their roster of teaching staff is made up of highly respected musicians and dance artists, including performers, eminent composers and choreographers.
They have the following departments:
- Composition
- Jazz
- Keyboard
- Strings
- Vocal Studies
- Wind, Brass & Percussion
- Music education
- Popular Music
- Junior Trinity
This is also one of the music schools in London that offers a wide range of scholarships that are aimed at rewarding and encouraging students to help them fulfil their potential.
The majority of their scholarships are given in form of reduction of fees, though there are full-tuition awards to especially gifted musicians.
For instance, Six awards available (1 x £10,000 and 5 x £5,000 for each year of study) to support international fee-paying students enrolling on the BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance opens in a new window for 2021/22 entry.
Tuition; Dance: (Home-£9,250, International students- £20,210)
Tuition; Music: (Home-£9,250, International students- £23,390)
See the full details of Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music and Dance fees.
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP)
ICMP, based in London, has been developing and delivering music education and training to students of contemporary music for over 30 years, longer than any other UK school.
This is one of the music schools in London where within 6 months of graduating over 94% of their graduates are in employment or further education.
And in 2017, their graduates were earning an average salary of £24,000 six months after graduating, which is £5,000 higher than other UK music students.
Unlike some music schools in London, they understand the fact that every student is unique and have therefore always focused on the needs and potential of individual students.
They have the following departments:
- Guitar
- Bass
- Drums
- Vocals
- Songwriting
- Creative Artist
- Music Production
- Music Business
- Digital Marketing
- Live Event Management
There are industry courses, evening courses, online courses and summer schools as well.
Every year, there are music scholarships and bursaries that are meant to support many people from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds who are interested in pursuing the study of music.
ICMP offers a scholarship up to the value of £4,500 to each eligible EU, EEA or Swiss student enrolling on one of our undergraduate or postgraduate programmes, starting in September 2022.
See the tuition fee full details.
University of East London
This is referred to as one of the music schools in London whose teachers- all producers, composers, theorists and performers themselves – will help you find your way in the music industry.
They will develop your specialist skills in music production, songwriting, performance, and sound design. They will give you the facilities and equipment to create with and the stages to perform on.
In their program, over the three years, your theoretical studies will include music history, investigations into how technology affects the composition and consumption of music and explorations into how sound connects with the body.
Full-time fee(3 years) for home students: £9,250 per year.
Part-time fee(6 years) for home students: £2,310 Price per 30 credit module.
International students Full time, 3 years: £13,740 per year.
Find out about additional costs.
London College of Creative Media
This is regarded as one of the best music schools in London because their music degrees are for aspiring musicians and entrepreneurs that are seeking a music degree in the United Kingdom.
They are the only higher education college in the UK to specialize solely in how music and writing have converged in creative and commercial terms.
In addition to their music degrees, they offer a Making Music summer course for 14-18-year-olds.
In this institution, you can receive a 𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 when you enrol on an undergraduate programme at LCCM.
They are offering a 100% scholarship to help their students achieve their goal of working in the creative industry.
Fees vary for each program. Please visit the program page for specific fees.
Bachelors: £ 15,000
The annual cost of living at the University is £9,000 approx.
BIMM Institute
BIMM Institute music courses equip you with the best tools and expertise required to develop a fulfilling and sustainable music industry career and is the reason they are regarded as one of the top music schools in London.
They are one of the music schools in London whose courses have been designed and developed with the industry, for the industry.
This means that everything you learn while studying with them is 100% relevant for when you make the move into the workplace.
You can go for any of the following music degrees:
- BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance – Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboards and Vocals.
- BMus (Hons) Songwriting
- BA (Hons) Music and Sound Production
- BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production
- BA (Hons) Music Production
- BA (Hons) Music Marketing, Media and Communication
- BA (Hons) Event Management
- BA (Hons) Music Business
- BA (Hons) Music Production & Music Business
- BA (Hons) Music Business & Event Management
- BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance & Event Management
- BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance & Songwriting
- BA (Hons) Songwriting & Music Production
- BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance & Music Production
Tuition Fee for overseas applicants: £15,950 (per year).
Tuition fee for UK students: £9,250 (per year).
Automatic early confirmation scholarship of £2,000 available.
The cost of your tuition fee depends on the course level you choose to study. Scholarships and bursaries are available to students from specified countries/regions.
City University London
City University London is regarded as one of the music schools in London because they offer a stimulating and creative environment in which to study and to develop your musical creativity.
Their facilities for performance, sound recording and composition are outstanding.
Students will be able to benefit from private instrumental and vocal lessons from the schools visiting professional musicians.
In the 2018 National Student Survey, the Music Department of this institution received a 100% satisfaction rating in teaching, a 97% score for learning resources and an overall satisfaction score of 95%, placing them 5th in the UK for Music.
Academic scholarships are up to 50% off the fees for the first year.
Your annual tuition fees will depend on where you are from and what course you’ll be studying.
For UK undergraduates, tuition fees will be £9,250 for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years.
Tuition fees for international students and all postgraduate courses vary.
There are loans available to students to help them finance their degrees.
Eligible postgraduates can also access government loans. Up to £11,222 is available for master’s degrees. PhD students can apply for doctoral loans of up to £26,445 over three years.
Goldsmiths, University of London
The department of music at Goldsmiths is a vibrant and friendly department with a long tradition of committed teaching at all levels.
They have three undergraduate programmes which are: a BMus in Music, which looks at styles of music from classical to jazz, electronic to audiovisual, a BMus in Popular Music, and a joint honours programme with the Computing Department: BMus/BSc Electronic Music, Computing and Technology.
They are one of the music schools in London whose degrees offer both depth and flexibility, enabling you to construct a programme of study that is exactly right for you.
Get the full details about the tuition fee here.
I’m an international student
Please note, non-UK students who require a student visa to study in the UK must show they have sufficient funds to support themselves.
Living in London (accommodation, food and travel) is likely to cost £1,150 to £1,340 a month.
If you are a student visa applicant, you need to have at least £1,334 per month (£12,006 per academic year) available for living expenses and be able to demonstrate this as part of the visa application process.
We advise all international applicants to budget for additional expenses such as overseas travel. This is particularly useful for getting home in an emergency.
International students on Tier 4 or Student Visa are usually allowed to work up to 20 hours per week within the restrictions of their visa regulations.
Opportunities to earn money as a musician might be possible if the work is organised through the Academy’s External Bookings department.
Things to do and see in London
London is home to some of the most renowned performers that you know. London is also a home for the best venues and recording studios.
Specialists in early and contemporary repertoire expand the range on offer.
There are a lot of festivals of different sizes that draw audiences from around the world.
The largest classical festival, the BBC Proms, is based across the road from the RCM at the Royal Albert Hall, with additional performances across the city.
The musical credentials of London span all genres. Some popular venues include:
- O2 Arena
- Camden Roundhouse
- Shepherd’s Bush Empire
- Brixton Academy
- Ronnie Scott’s
These venues attract big names in pop, rock, folk, jazz, dance and urban music.
As a student, London can be a particularly inspiring and resourceful place. The city boasts a wide selection of music shops, instrument specialists and music publishers, as well as respected artist management agencies and other valuable professional contacts.
London has an impressive roaster of session musicians, which includes RCM graduates, who benefit from varied and regular work, including engagements in the burgeoning industry of media music.
Finally, whether you want to soak up this diverse musical culture or you’re itching to roll up your sleeves and take part, London is a truly musical city, rich with opportunities.
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