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Study music performance abroad
An in-depth guide to studying music performance as an international student.
Explore music performance programs abroad
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PhD programs in
music performanceNo programs listed
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
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
Alternative music degrees
Best universities to study music performance
How to study 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 Piano - BMus William Paterson University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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21,768 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September, January
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Music Performance - BM University of Dayton, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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44,890 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- August, May, January
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Music Performance - BA Hope College, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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36,400 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- January, August
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Music Performance - Woodwinds - BM University of South Carolina, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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33,928 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- January, August
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Music Performance - BMus University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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29,800 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- January, August, May
Associate in music performance
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Music Performance - AA Hesston College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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28,992 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- August, January
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
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10,900 GBP
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September, January
Music performance graduate programs
Master's in music performance
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Classical String Performance - MA University of Limerick, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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11,173 EUR
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
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Music (Performance) - MA Long Island University Post, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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44,100 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September, January
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Music - Performance and Pedagogy - MM Texas State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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15,034 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- August, January
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Music Performance - MA Bath Spa University, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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14,300 GBP
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September, January
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Music Performance - MM DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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24,320 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September, March, January
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.
