Find the best UK universities for Music in 2026. Discover courses with expert teaching, vibrant creative communities, and great performance opportunities.
Best Universities for Music: Unifresher Student Rankings 2026
The top universities earn Gold, Silver, and Bronze badges based on student satisfaction, graduate employability, teaching quality, and value for money. For full details, see our Ranking Methodology below.
| Rank | University | Academic | Social |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gold | Royal Academy of Music | 92 | 75 |
| 2 Silver | Royal College of Music | 90 | 74 |
| 3 Bronze | Guildhall School of Music & Drama | 89 | 78 |
| 4 | University of York | 85 | 82 |
| 5 | University of Edinburgh | 84 | 81 |
| 6 | University of Glasgow | 82 | 79 |
| 7 | University of Bristol | 81 | 77 |
| 8 | University of Leeds | 79 | 78 |
| 9 | University of Birmingham | 78 | 76 |
| 10 | University of Sussex | 77 | 75 |
1. Royal Academy of Music Gold
2. Royal College of Music Silver
3. Guildhall School of Music & Drama Bronze
4. University of York
5. University of Edinburgh
6. University of Glasgow
7. University of Bristol
8. University of Leeds
9. University of Birmingham
10. University of Sussex
How We Ranked These Universities
Our Music rankings combine trusted academic data with student lifestyle factors to reflect what matters most to music students.
- Academic (40%): Graduate employability, teaching quality, research output, entry standards
- Social & Lifestyle (60%): Cost of living, nightlife, cost of a pint and Uber, crime rate, student satisfaction
- Data Sources: HESA, NSS, REF, UCAS, WhatUni, and Unifresher’s student surveys
- Weighting: Scores out of 100; ties broken by academic score.
Top-Ranked Music Universities Explained
Royal Academy of Music
World-renowned conservatoire offering exceptional performance training and industry connections.Royal College of Music
Focus on classical and contemporary music with strong graduate employability.Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Offers a blend of music and theatre with cutting-edge facilities and collaborative culture.University of Leeds
Known for diverse music programs and active student societies.University of York
Strong academic research and vibrant campus music scene.University of Edinburgh
Combines high teaching quality with rich cultural experiences.University of Manchester
Excellent facilities and support for a wide range of musical genres.University of Birmingham
Balanced focus on performance, composition, and music technology.University of Southampton
Offers innovative courses and strong links to the music industry.University of Bristol
Great student satisfaction and extracurricular music opportunities.Career Prospects After a Music Degree
Graduates work as performers, composers, producers, teachers, and sound engineers. Related fields include Drama, Theatre and Performance.
Music Course Requirements & Entry Standards
Entry often requires auditions alongside academic qualifications, with UCAS points usually between 100 and 140 depending on the university.
Cheapest Cities to Study Music in the UK
Leeds, Manchester, and Edinburgh offer good value living costs with lively cultural scenes.
Best Unis for Nightlife & Social Life
Manchester, Leeds, and London provide excellent venues and vibrant social life for music students.
Student Wellbeing, Mental Health & Study Support
Universities like Leeds, Birmingham, and Southampton are noted for their strong student support services.
Not Sure About Music? Consider These Alternatives
Try Drama, Theatre and Performance or Media and Communication.
Summary: Which Music Uni is Right for You?
Think about course focus, performance opportunities, city vibe, and student support when picking your music degree.
FAQs on the Best UK Universities for Music
Top UK universities for Music include the Royal Academy of Music, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, renowned for their expert teaching and facilities.
The Royal Academy of Music often ranks highest for Music, combining performance excellence with academic rigour and industry connections.
A Music degree offers diverse career paths including performance, teaching, composition, and music technology, though success often depends on passion and networking.
Many courses require Music at A-level or equivalent, with some also valuing Maths or English. Auditions and portfolios are often key for admission.
Graduates pursue careers as performers, composers, music producers, teachers, sound engineers, or roles in music therapy and the music industry.
While competitive, demand exists in education, media, live performance, and digital music sectors for skilled and versatile music graduates.
Salaries vary widely; starting roles may range from £18,000 to £28,000, with higher earnings possible in performance, production, or education.
Courses with intensive performance, composition, or music technology components can be challenging, requiring dedication and technical skill.
Graduates often work in orchestras, studios, schools, media companies, or freelance as performers and composers.
Yes, Music is respected for its creativity and discipline, with strong appreciation in academia and the creative industries.
Unifresher Team
Led by our editors and co-founder, we apply student-first principles and editorial rigour to shape each ranking.
Student Writers
Over 20 student writers and contributors from across UK universities help define what really matters to students.
Expert Panel
We bring in specialists from sustainability founders to employability coaches to help shape categories with depth and credibility.
Our judging combines real student input with expert guidance. Here’s how:
- Public nominations: Through our homepage form, with responses from our student users.
- Social polls: Shared on our Instagram and TikTok channels (20,000+ followers).
- Student panel: 20+ student contributors guide how each category reflects real priorities.
- Editorial team: Our founder and senior editors bring experience in youth-focused media and ranking design.
- Expert advisors: Each award features insight from a relevant industry or academic figure.
This ensures each ranking is transparent, meaningful, and powered by those it’s meant to serve: students.
✅ Why You Can Trust This Ranking
- Data-backed: Official sources: HESA, NSS, REF, UCAS
- Student-led: Over 1,000 UK students surveyed
- Balanced scoring: 40% academic + 60% student life
- Independently verified: No sponsored placements, ever
- Reviewed by editors: All results checked for fairness & accuracy
- Updated for 2025: Last checked
