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Study music performance abroad

: We maximize your chance of getting admitted to your chosen universities

The smart alternative to applying direct for music performance degrees abroad and the easy way to find programs that match your eligibility and aspirations

Find your perfect music performance programs abroad

Find music performance programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

Find other programs in music performance

Music Performance degrees abroad

Music performance programs are designed to equip students with the tools, confidence, and experience they’ll need to become successful professional musicians.

You’ll study the art of performance and work towards mastering your instrument. Alongside developing a detailed understanding of topics including composition, musicology, songwriting, and audio production, you’ll get to grips with industry-standard recording equipment and top-notch music software.

Studying abroad is a great opportunity to explore a range of musical styles, genres, and cultures in their original environments. You’ll see first-hand how the music industry operates across the globe, sharpen your performance skills, and make lasting friendships and memories.

Music Performance program structure

At the undergraduate level, you can study music performance as either a BA or a BMus. A BA lasts for a minimum of three years and includes a wide variety of music-related topics. A BMus is a more specialized four-year program that is highly structured around performance-focused modules.

If you’ve always wanted to study in the US, you’ll probably select music performance as your undergraduate major. In the US educational system, you must spend the first two years of your degree taking general education classes, before focusing on music-specific courses for the remaining half of the program.

Those wanting to pursue a postgraduate qualification can enroll in a master’s program. An MA is normally studied on a full-time basis over one year. By contrast, an MMus requires two years of full-time study because students are expected to complete an additional year-long research project.

If you’re aiming to get the highest qualification possible, you can follow a doctorate program. A research-based PhD typically takes between four and seven years to complete.

Teaching methods on music performance degrees include lectures, seminars, tutorials, ensemble rehearsals, performance classes, and hands-on studio sessions. You’ll likely be assessed through a combination of exams, essays, reports, independent research projects, practical assessments, and live performances.

Music performance is a highly flexible program and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to tailor your degree to reflect your strengths and interests. While program content will differ between students and universities, most institutions will cover these core areas:

  • Understanding music
  • Performance skills and techniques
  • Composition
  • Sound, technology, and music
  • Music in context
  • Improvisation in performance
  • Ensemble performance
  • Music research skills

How we maximize your chance of studying music performance abroad

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Music Performance study abroad programs

Music performance undergraduate programs

Bachelor's in music performance

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    Music: Performance - BMus Canadian Mennonite University, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    7,021 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 9,536 CAD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Bachelor of Music: Performance
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    Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance - BA (with foundation) Dublin City University, Ireland

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    40 months
    Annual tuition fee
    16,533 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,500 EUR

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance
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    Music: Performance - BM Alma College, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    42,352 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 42,352 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Music - Performance
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    Music Performance - BMus Stephen F. Austin State University, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    18,564 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 18,564 USD

    Start date
    January, August
    Show program overview about Music Performance
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    Music Performance - Percussion - BM University of South Carolina, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    33,928 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 33,928 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Music Performance - Percussion

Associate in music performance

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    Commercial Music Performance - AA Diablo Valley College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    8,304 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 8,304 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Commercial Music Performance
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    Music Performance - AA Cuesta College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    10,650 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 10,650 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Music Performance

Certificate in music performance

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    Popular Music Performance: Bass - Cert HE The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, UK

    Program type
    Undergraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    17,056 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 13,750 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Popular Music Performance (Bass)

Pathway in music performance

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    Music Performance & Production (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK

    Program type
    Undergraduate pathway
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    14,513 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 11,700 GBP

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Music Performance & Production (Foundation)

Music performance graduate programs

Master's in music performance

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    Irish Traditional Music Performance - MMus University of Limerick, Ireland

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    16,853 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,800 EUR

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Irish Traditional Music Performance
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    Music: Performance - MA Long Island University Post, USA

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    44,100 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 44,100 USD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Music (Performance)
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    Music Performance - MM DePaul University, USA

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    24,320 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 24,320 USD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Music Performance
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    Music Performance - MA Bath Spa University, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    20,226 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 16,305 GBP

    Start date
    January, February
    Show program overview about Music Performance
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    Music Performance - MM Arizona State University, USA

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    25,200 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 25,200 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Music Performance

Future music performance careers

As a music performance graduate, you’ll be poised to start a successful career within the music industry and beyond. Your communication, collaboration, and technical skills will be transferable across a wide range of sectors and roles, including:

  • Professional musician
  • Music producer
  • Music therapist
  • Music teacher
  • Studio manager
  • Composer
  • Sound engineer
  • Conductor

Securing some work experience during the university holidays is helpful for those looking to take their employability to the next level. Getting involved in your university’s music societies, radio show, or bands will also demonstrate your passion and talent to potential employers.