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

How to use this table:
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

Academic: 92
Social: 75

2. Royal College of Music Silver

Academic: 90
Social: 74

3. Guildhall School of Music & Drama Bronze

Academic: 89
Social: 78

4. University of York

Academic: 85
Social: 82

5. University of Edinburgh

Academic: 84
Social: 81

6. University of Glasgow

Academic: 82
Social: 79

7. University of Bristol

Academic: 81
Social: 77

8. University of Leeds

Academic: 79
Social: 78

9. University of Birmingham

Academic: 78
Social: 76

10. University of Sussex

Academic: 77
Social: 75

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.
✅ Verified by Unifresher Editorial Team | Last updated:

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.

Aminah Barnes
Aminah Barnes – Manchester Metropolitan University
Topic expertise: University & Degree choice, Applications, Travel and Student life

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

Unifresher Team

Led by our editors and co-founder, we apply student-first principles and editorial rigour to shape each ranking.

Student Panel

Student Writers

Over 20 student writers and contributors from across UK universities help define what really matters to students.

Expert Panel

Expert Panel

We bring in specialists from sustainability founders to employability coaches to help shape categories with depth and credibility.

How are the Unifresher Awards judged?+

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
By students, for students.
See full methodology →

Author

  • Connor is a seasoned content expert at Unifresher, specialising in publishing engaging and insightful student-focused content. With over four years of experience in data analysis and content strategy, Connor has a proven track record of supporting publishing teams with high-quality resources. A graduate of the University of Sussex with a BSc in Accounting and Finance, he combines his academic background with his passion for creating content that resonates with students across the UK. Outside of work, Connor enjoys staying active at his local gym and walking his miniature dachshunds.

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