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    Study music abroad

    An in-depth guide to studying music as an international student.

    Find music programs

    Explore music programs abroad

    See other programs in music

    Music degrees abroad

    Music is a hugely broad subject that offers a number of specialisms and can cover performance, composition, production and theory. It is a creative subject that will allow passionate students to explore different genres, gain practical skills, and develop their own musical interests.

    You can study music at universities, art colleges or a conservatoire, which specialize in performance based study programs. Music programs are available all over the world, so by studying abroad you’ll have a huge number of options to choose from.

    Studying music abroad is a popular option for international students because it can mean learning a new approach to music. Every country has it’s own musical traditions and heritage, which can give you a new and unique perspective you wouldn’t get by studying at home.

    Music program structure

    At undergraduate level you can study for a BA or a BMus (Bachelor of Music) over three or four years. BMus degrees often include more technical modules, with a concentration on performance, and BA programs can be more academic and theory focussed.

    It’s possible to study music as a joint honours program with another subject, for example, music and English, or music and technology. If you choose to study at a liberal arts college, you can study music as a major or minor, alongside other subjects.

    You can also study music at other levels including certificate, diploma, master’s and doctorate. At master’s level you can study for an MA or MMus over two or three years, and it’s also possible to earn a PhD in music which can take up to six years to complete.

    Most music programs are taught through lectures, seminars and tutorials, but you also get individual tuition and workshops to develop your solo performance skills. Most universities give regular performances which you can take part in and some offer field trips to concerts. How you’ll be assessed will differ depending on the module, but they will usually include essays, exams and performances.

    Music programs can cover a huge number of areas, genres and techniques, so the structure and content will never be the same, however here are some common modules you could study:

    • Music history
    • Music composition
    • Performance
    • Harmony and harmonic analysis
    • Orchestration
    • Music business
    • Music technology
    • Musicology
    • Music psychology
    Music program structure

    At undergraduate level you can study for a BA or a BMus (Bachelor of Music) over three or four years. BMus degrees often include more technical modules, with a concentration on performance, and BA programs can be more academic and theory focussed.

    It’s possible to study music as a joint honours program with another subject, for example, music and English, or music and technology. If you choose to study at a liberal arts college, you can study music as a major or minor, alongside other subjects.

    You can also study music at other levels including certificate, diploma, master’s and doctorate. At master’s level you can study for an MA or MMus over two or three years, and it’s also possible to earn a PhD in music which can take up to six years to complete.

    Most music programs are taught through lectures, seminars and tutorials, but you also get individual tuition and workshops to develop your solo performance skills. Most universities give regular performances which you can take part in and some offer field trips to concerts. How you’ll be assessed will differ depending on the module, but they will usually include essays, exams and performances.

    Music programs can cover a huge number of areas, genres and techniques, so the structure and content will never be the same, however here are some common modules you could study:

    • Music history
    • Music composition
    • Performance
    • Harmony and harmonic analysis
    • Orchestration
    • Music business
    • Music technology
    • Musicology
    • Music psychology

    Types of music degrees

    Best countries to study music

    Best universities to study music

    See all universities offering music programs

    How to study music abroad

    1. University & program search

      Find the right program for you and your career aspirations

    2. Application guidance

      We'll get you to the right place to start your application

    3. Visa & travel advice

      Get help after application, all the way to your first day at university

    Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
    Our services are 100% free for students like you because we're funded by universities.

    Start your search Get free advice

    Music study abroad programs

    Music undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in music

    • false

      Music Education: Guitar - BM University of Hartford, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      45,144 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      May, January
      Show program overview about Music Education: Guitar
    • false

      Applied Music - BA Indiana Wesleyan University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      28,184 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, May, January
      Show program overview about Applied Music
    • false

      Instrumental Music - BME Baylor University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      44,544 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Instrumental Music
    • false

      Music - BMus University of Chichester, UK

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      13,500 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Music
    • false

      Education: Primary and Early Years and Music - BA (Hons) Bath Spa University, UK

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,300 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Education: Primary and Early Years and Music
    See all bachelor's degrees in music

    Associate in music

    • false

      Fine Arts: Music - AFA Elgin Community College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      9,510 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      February, September, August, June, January
      Show program overview about Fine Arts: Music
    • false

      Music - AA Laney College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      7,950 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, June, January
      Show program overview about Music
    • false

      Music - AA Douglas College, Canada

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      18,000 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, May, January
      Show program overview about Music
    • false

      Music - AA Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Canada

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      21,383 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, May, September
      Show program overview about Music
    • false

      Music (Transfer Pathway) - AA St. Charles Community College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      5,520 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Music (Transfer Pathway)
    See all associate degrees in music

    Diploma in music

    • false

      Music Therapy Studies Foundation - UGDip Douglas College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      18,000 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Music Therapy Studies Foundation
    • false

      Music Industry (Sound Production), Advanced - AdvDip RMIT University, Australia

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      20,500 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Music Industry (Sound Production), Advanced
    • false

      Music Industry Arts and Performance - OCADip Centennial College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      16,531 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Music Industry Arts and Performance
    See all undergraduate diplomas in music

    Certificate in music

    • false

      Music Theory - Cert Laney College, USA

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      7,950 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, June, January
      Show program overview about Music Theory
    • false

      Music, Introduction to Commercial Jazz Music - Cert Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      14,200 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Music, Introduction to Commercial Jazz Music
    See all undergraduate certificates in music

    Pathway in music

    • false

      Integrated Foundation of Music and Performing Arts - FD Bath Spa University, UK

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,300 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Integrated Foundation of Music and Performing Arts
    See all undergraduate pathways in music

    Music graduate programs

    Master's in music

    • false

      Music Education - MMus William Paterson University, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      20,454 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Music Education
    • false

      Commercial Music - Dual MA/BA (Hons) Bath Spa University, UK

      Program type
      Master's/Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,925 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Commercial Music
    • false

      Community Music - MMus York St John University, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      12,750 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Community Music
    • false

      Music Therapy - MMus University of Limerick, Ireland

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      11,173 EUR

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Music Therapy
    • false

      Music and Media - MMus University of Gloucestershire, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      13,200 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Music and Media
    See all master's degrees in music

    Doctorate in music

    • false

      Music - PhD University of Chichester, UK

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      13,950 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Music
    • false

      Music and Media - PhD University of Gloucestershire, UK

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      13,200 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Music and Media
    • false

      Music Education - PhD University of Southern Mississippi, USA

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      10,770 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Music Education
    See all doctorates in music

    Diploma in music

    • false

      Music - PGDip University of Tasmania, Australia

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      31,516 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Music
    • false

      Music Industry Arts - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      14 months
      Annual tuition fee
      18,136 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Music Industry Arts
    See all postgraduate diplomas in music

    Certificate in music

    • false

      Music - PGCert University of Tasmania, Australia

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      6 months
      Annual tuition fee
      15,758 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Music
    • false

      Music Scoring for Screen and Stage - PGCert Sheridan College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      30,492 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Music Scoring for Screen and Stage
    • false

      Secondary Music - PGCert Bath Spa University, UK

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      13,300 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Secondary Music
    See all postgraduate certificates in music

    Future music careers

    A music degree provides the perfect training for a wide range of careers both within and outside of the music industry. You will develop a number of transferable skills that employers value, including teamwork, communication and analytical skills.

    Here are some of the most popular careers for music graduates:

    • Music producer
    • Music therapist
    • Orchestra musician
    • Music teacher
    • Orchestra administrator
    • Sound engineer/technician
    • Community arts worker
    • DJ

    If you’re unsure what career path you want to follow after graduation, you can talk to the university’s career advice service. They can help you work out what roles might best suit you, and guide you on the best way to get your ideal job after graduation.