€$£
Study composition abroad
Find programs that match your eligibility and aspirations then apply with reduced application fees, a free assessment and access to a dedicated advisor.
Find your perfect composition programs abroad
Find composition programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.
-
PhD programs in
compositionNo programs listed
Composition degrees abroad
If you are an aspiring composer, a degree in composition will help you develop the musicianship skills and professionalism you’ll need to succeed. Your program will focus on both the creative and commercial aspects of being a composer, and prepare you for the future challenges that face the music industry.
Most composition programs will have an emphasis on practice-based learning, and you may get the opportunity to take part in public concerts with professional soloists, ensembles, and orchestras. You’ll also get the chance to develop your own compositions and ideas, and perform them as part of your course.
Music is a truly international language, and by studying and living abroad you’ll be able to experience different musical influences first-hand. Music composition is available to study in universities and conservatoires all over the world, including cities and countries with long and fascinating musical histories.
Why use Studee?
-
Find your ideal program
Filter 10,000s of programs down to a shortlist perfect for you, where you have a strong chance of getting admitted
-
Apply online via Studee
Complete our application form and enjoy reduced application fees and access to unique Studee scholarships for many universities
-
We assess within 48hrs
We complete an 85-point assessment within 2 business days, help you with improvements then submit to your university
-
University offer in 2-4 weeks
We chase the university for your admission decision and keep you updated. We all celebrate your admission!
All our services are 100% free as we're funded by universities. You pay deposits and tuition fees directly to the university.
Composition program structure
You can study composition at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The most common option for undergraduate students is a BMus (Bachelor of Music), which can be studied over three or four years.
For many programs, you’ll be asked to select an instrument specialism that you will study during your course. Some programs allow you to choose a primary and secondary instrument, but others may only allow you to study one.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a related subject like music, you can choose to study an MMus (Master of Music) in composition over one or two years. These programs are often more focussed, for example, composition for screen, so could be an ideal option if you want to specialize in a specific area.
Although rare, doctorate level degrees are available at some music schools or conservatoires. These can take between four and seven years and will consist of your own unique research and the creation of a doctoral dissertation.
Learning will be through a combination of one-to-one tutoring sessions, performance classes, workshops, masterclasses with experienced composers, seminars, and lectures. The content of your program will depend largely on where you study and what you choose to specialize in, but common areas of study include:
- Orchestration
- Music and narrative
- Composition and harmony
- Language of music
- Score reading
- Music for media
- Interactive composition
Composition study abroad programs
Composition undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in composition
-
Commercial Music: Composition - BM Florida Atlantic University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
20,584 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- January, May, August
-
Composition - BM Indiana Wesleyan University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
31,168 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September, January, May
-
Composition - BMus (Hons) Western University, Canada
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
41,658 CAD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
-
Music: Composition - BM MacEwan University, Canada
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
26,400 CAD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
-
English: Rhetoric and Composition - BA California State University, Long Beach, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,392 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- August, January
Associate in composition
-
Composition - AA College of the Canyons, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,260 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- August, February, June
Diploma in composition
-
Contemporary Music & Technology: Composition - Dip Selkirk College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,020 CAD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
Composition graduate programs
Master's in composition
-
Composition - MM DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,800 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
-
Music Composition (Tempe Campus) - MM Arizona State University (in partnership with Kaplan International), USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
35,280 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- January
-
Composition and Creative Music Practice - MA University of Limerick, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,900 EUR
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
-
English: Composition - MA California State University, Sacramento, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,800 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- January, August
-
Music Composition - MA Maynooth University, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,000 EUR
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
Future composition careers
Composition degrees are vocational programs that aim to prepare you for a successful career in the music industry, and there are a number of exciting roles you could pursue. Here are some of the roles composition graduates have taken up:
- Composer
- Orchestrator
- Orchestra musician
- Music director
- Music editor
- Music teacher
- Arts critic
Roles in the music industry are notoriously competitive, so putting in extra work outside of the classroom could help give you the edge. Joining your university music societies or playing in local orchestras can give you valuable experience that employers value.
