8 Best Music Schools in the World – Global Ranking

Best Music Schools In The World – If it is your dream to attend a prestigious music school to become a master in the music profession, then you are in the right place.

There are a number of music programs, but only a few have a well-developed reputation for how good they are. In this article, I’ve listed 8 of the best music schools you can find in the world.

Let’s get to it:

Best Music Schools in the World

1. Juilliard School

The Juilliard School is a private performing arts conservatory in New York which was established in 1905. It is known as the most prestigious performing arts educational institution in the world. The school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, music, and drama.

The school is attached to the similarly prestigious Lincoln Center, which plays host to some of the best live music performances to be found anywhere, with a focus on all things classical and opera.

This option is best for those who one day would like to compose or perhaps play in an orchestra, but it probably isn’t ideal for anyone looking to create more contemporary popular music. Notable alumni include Barry Manilow, Yo-Yo Ma, John Williams, etc.

2. Berklee College of Music

Berklee college of music is a private music college in Boston, Massachusetts founded in 1945. It is the largest independent college of contemporary music I think the world. It is the premier institute of music and the performing arts, offering degrees at its campuses.

Unlike many other music programs all around the world, Berklee College of Music is focused on bringing out artists who go on to top the charts and own the pop culture conversation.

Many of the most successful alumni aren’t in orchestras or crafting classical compositions, but rather, they have squarely focused their musical efforts on pop, rock, and other modern genres. Notable alumni include Melissa Etheridge, Quincy Jones, John Mayer, etc.

3. Yale School of Music

The Yale School of music is one of the 12 professional schools at Yale University and it was founded in 1894. It offers three graduate degrees which are master’s of music, master’s of Musical Arts, and Doctor of musical arts.

The acceptance rate is around 8%. The legendary university’s musical wing is world-renowned and not just because of the name, It has truly earned its stellar reputation and it lives up to the Yale brand, producing many incredibly accomplished musicians. Notable alumni include Marco Beltrami, Michael Daugherty, Matt Brubeck, etc.

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4. New England Conservatory of Music

The New England Conservatory of Music is a private music school in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the oldest independent music conservatory in the U.S., founded in 1867, and is among the most prestigious in the world.

With so many schools in such a relatively small area, it’s impossible to avoid including more than one institution from the city on any ranking of great universities.

While Berklee does get the majority of the music-focused collegiate attention when it comes to Beantown, there is plenty of room for the New England Conservatory of Music, as the two don’t overlap very much.

Where Berklee is focused on creating hitmakers and pop stars, NECM keeps its eye on helping those with a passion for playing become some of the best in the world at strung, woodwind, and brass instruments.

5. Curtis Institute of Music

Curtis Institute of music is a private conservatory in Philadelphia founded in 1924 and it offers courses of study leading to a performance diploma, Bachelor of music, master of music in opera, or professional studies certificate in opera.

The school, which is coming up one hundred years of age, has been quietly producing some of the most accomplished musicians in the world for a long time. While you might not have heard of it, everybody in the opera field certainly has.

Its acceptance rate is 5% so if you want to be accepted you need to show them something really special. Notable alumni include Leonard Bernstein, David Brooks, Lang Lang, etc.

6. The Royal Academy of Music

The Royal Academy of Music in London, England is the oldest conservatoire in the UK, founded in 1822 by John Fane and Nicolas Charles Bochsa. It received its Royal charter in 1830 from King George IV with the support of the first Duke of Wellington. 

If you are a foreign student who hopes to study music, the Royal Academy of Music may be exactly what you need. The school accepts students from dozens of countries so you definitely have a chance of going but you’re going to need to be really impressive to be included in the incoming class. Notable alumni include  Elton John, Annie Lennox, etc.

The college is also connected to the University of London which can come in handy if you’re looking to study something other than music.

 7. Royal College of Music

The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire established by the Royal charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, UK. It offers training from the undergraduate to the doctoral level in all aspects of Western music including performance, composition, conducting, music theory, and history.

If you are unable to get into the Royal Academy of music then the Royal College of music is another great option. The two universities are part of the ABRSM (the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), four wonderful educational institutions in the U.K. dedicated to teaching the art of performance.

Only two of the four are located in London, which is where you probably want to live if you’re moving to the country for college.

In addition to helping people become better musicians, the Royal College of Music does a lot of research into all things related to performance, which further influences teaching methods and how live events are staged and buildings are created.

Notable alumni include Andrew Lloyd Webber, James Horner, Vanessa-Mae, etc.

8. Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University

The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, was a conservatory established in 1921. Until 2005, it was known as the Indiana University school of music. 

It may not be quite as impressive as the other music schools, but the Jacobs School of Music, which is based at Indiana University, offers the greatest chance of acceptance for many up-and-coming artists.

Many universities only admit a small group of new applicants every year, while the Jacobs School has almost 2,000 students at any given time.

As a public university, this option is often offered at a lower price than many private choices, especially for those from the region. The school has also produced notable alumni such as  Joshua Bell, Carl Broemel, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions about Best Music Schools In The World

What is the hardest music school to get into?

As of 2019, the Curtis Institute of Music was the hardest music school to get into. Curtis has a tiny 4.5% acceptance rate. In comparison, Harvard has a 4.7% acceptance rate and Stanford has a 4.4% acceptance rate. Although this figure changes each year, Curtis’ acceptance rate generally holds steady somewhere between 4-5%.

Now It’s Your Turn

Now I’d like to hear from you:

Which of the Best Music Schools in the World picked your interest?

Are you going to apply for admission right away?

Or maybe you’re ready to start searching for scholarships.

Either way, leave a comment below right now