{"id":18643,"date":"2025-03-13T16:35:37","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T11:05:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/?p=18643"},"modified":"2026-04-21T12:13:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T06:43:45","slug":"top-music-schools-in-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/top-music-schools-in-london\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Music Schools in London: Admissions, Courses, Rankings, Acceptance Rates, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/top-music-schools-in-london\/#Royal_Academy_of_Music\" >Royal Academy of Music<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/top-music-schools-in-london\/#Royal_College_of_Music\" >Royal College of Music<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/top-music-schools-in-london\/#Guildhall_School_of_Music_and_Drama\" >Guildhall School of Music and Drama<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/top-music-schools-in-london\/#Royal_Birmingham_Conservatoire\" >Royal Birmingham Conservatoire<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/top-music-schools-in-london\/#Royal_Northern_College_of_Music_RNCM\" >Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/top-music-schools-in-london\/#Trinity_Laban_Conservatoire_of_Music_and_Dance\" >Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/top-music-schools-in-london\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>London is home to some of the <strong>best music schools in the world<\/strong>, attracting talented students from across the globe. Whether you dream of becoming a professional musician, composer, or performer, these top institutions offer <strong>world-class programs, amazing facilities<\/strong>, and the chance to learn from industry legends. In this blog, we\u2019ll explore the <strong>top music schools in London<\/strong>, including their <strong>courses, rankings, and admissions<\/strong>, so you can find the perfect place to kick-start your music career!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Royal_Academy_of_Music\"><\/span>Royal Academy of Music<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Royal Academy of Music (RAM)<\/strong>, founded way back in <strong>1822<\/strong>, is <strong>the oldest music school in the UK<\/strong> and still one of the very best today! In the <strong>2024 QS World University Rankings<\/strong>, RAM came in <strong>#2 globally<\/strong>, just behind RCM. The academy is known for its creative approach to music and offers courses for everyone from beginners to professional musicians. RAM is full of amazing performance spaces and even has a museum filled with rare instruments. Legendary musicians like <strong>Sir Elton John<\/strong> and <strong>Sir Simon Rattle<\/strong> started their journeys here. Below are the key details of <strong>Royal Academy of Music (RAM):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Aspect<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Founded<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>1822&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Global Ranking<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>#2 in the 2024 QS World University Rankings for Performing Arts&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Programs<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral degrees&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Facilities<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Duke\u2019s Hall, concert rooms, recording studios, and a museum&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Under 5,000 students \u2013 53% UK, 19% EU, 28% International&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Famous Alumni<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Sir Elton John, Sir Simon Rattle, Katherine Jenkins, Annie Lennox&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>London, United Kingdom&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Royal_College_of_Music\"><\/span>Royal College of Music<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Royal College of Music (RCM)<\/strong>, founded in <strong>1882<\/strong>, is one of the world\u2019s best places to study music. It ranked <strong>#1 globally<\/strong> in the <strong>2024 QS World University Rankings for Performing Arts<\/strong>, making it the <strong>top music school in the world<\/strong>! RCM offers a wide range of courses, from <strong>undergraduate degrees to PhDs<\/strong>, and is famous for its impressive concert halls, high-tech recording studios, and practice rooms. With over <strong>900 students from around the world<\/strong>, RCM is home to future music stars. Big names like <strong>Gustav Holst<\/strong> and <strong>Benjamin Britten<\/strong> once studied here too! Below are the key details of Royal Academy of Music:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Aspect<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Founded<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>1882&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Global Ranking<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>#1 in the 2024 QS World University Rankings for Performing Arts&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Programs<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral degrees&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Facilities<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Concert halls, recording studios, museum, and practice rooms&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>About 930 students \u2013 45% UK, 21% EU, 34% International&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Famous Alumni<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Gustav Holst, Benjamin Britten, Dame Joan Sutherland&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>London, United Kingdom&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Guildhall_School_of_Music_and_Drama\"><\/span>Guildhall School of Music and Drama<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Guildhall School of Music and Drama<\/strong>, founded in <strong>1880<\/strong>, is one of the UK&#8217;s most exciting places to study music, acting, and production arts. Ranked <strong>#5 in the world<\/strong> for Performing Arts in the <strong>2024 QS World University Rankings<\/strong>, Guildhall is all about creativity and performance. Big stars like <strong>Daniel Craig<\/strong> and <strong>Bryn Terfel<\/strong> have walked its halls, and with over <strong>1,000 students from across the globe<\/strong>, the energy is always electric! Below are the key details of <strong>Guildhall School of Music and Drama:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Aspect<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Founded<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>1880&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Global Ranking<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>#5 in the 2024 QS World University Rankings for Performing Arts&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Programs<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees in Music, Drama, and Production Arts&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Facilities<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Concert halls, theatres, rehearsal spaces, and studios&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Over 1,000 students from around the world&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Famous Alumni<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Daniel Craig, Sir Bryn Terfel, Ewan McGregor&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>London, United Kingdom&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Royal_Birmingham_Conservatoire\"><\/span>Royal Birmingham Conservatoire<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Royal Birmingham Conservatoire<\/strong>, founded in <strong>1886<\/strong>, is a hidden gem in the heart of Birmingham. It became a <strong>\u201cRoyal\u201d conservatoire in 2017<\/strong>, a rare honor that highlights its incredible contributions to music and the arts. Although not currently in the top QS rankings, this school is known for its <strong>world-class facilities<\/strong>, including a <strong>500-seat concert hall<\/strong>, a <strong>jazz club<\/strong>, and nearly <strong>100 practice rooms<\/strong>. Famous graduates like <strong>Laura Mvula<\/strong> and <strong>Shabaka Hutchings<\/strong> started their creative journeys here! Below are the key details of <strong>Royal Birmingham Conservatoire:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Aspect<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Founded<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>1886 (received Royal status in 2017)&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Global Ranking<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Not ranked in the 2024 QS World University Rankings&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Programs<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral degrees in Music, Acting, and Stage Production&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Facilities<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Concert hall, jazz club, organ studio, 100+ practice rooms, and recording studios&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Over 900 students from the UK and abroad&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Famous Alumni<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Laura Mvula, Shabaka Hutchings, Rhydian Roberts&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Birmingham, United Kingdom&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Royal_Northern_College_of_Music_RNCM\"><\/span>Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Based in <strong>Manchester<\/strong> and founded in <strong>1973<\/strong>, the <strong>Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM)<\/strong> is a powerhouse in the performing arts world. In the <strong>2024 QS World University Rankings<\/strong>, it landed at <strong>#5 globally<\/strong>, which is a huge achievement! RNCM is famous for its vibrant atmosphere, with over <strong>400 live performances<\/strong> each year, giving students the chance to shine on stage regularly. The college is home to talented musicians from all over the world and has produced stars like <strong>Stephen Hough<\/strong> and <strong>Stjepan Hauser<\/strong> of 2CELLOS fame. Below are the key details of <strong>Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM):<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Aspect<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Founded<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>1973 (after merging two historic music schools)&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Global Ranking<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>#5 in the 2024 QS World University Rankings for Performing Arts&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Programs<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral degrees in a range of music disciplines&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Facilities<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Concert hall, theatre, studio theatre, recital hall, and extensive practice spaces&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Around 900 students from across the globe&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Famous Alumni<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Stephen Hough, Stjepan Hauser (2CELLOS), Sir Mark Elder&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Manchester, United Kingdom&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Trinity_Laban_Conservatoire_of_Music_and_Dance\"><\/span>Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Formed in <strong>2005<\/strong> by merging Trinity College of Music and Laban Dance Centre, <strong>Trinity Laban<\/strong> is a top spot for students who love music and dance. Ranked <strong>#19 in the world<\/strong> for Performing Arts in the <strong>2024 QS Rankings<\/strong>, this school is famous for its modern style and creative vibe. With bright, open studios, performance halls, and a forward-thinking approach, Trinity Laban is a place where students really shine. Alumni like <strong>Debbie Wiseman<\/strong> and <strong>Sir Matthew Bourne<\/strong> got their start here! Below are the key details of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Aspect<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Founded<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>2005 (merger of Trinity College of Music and Laban Dance Centre)&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Global Ranking<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>#19 in the 2024 QS World University Rankings for Performing Arts&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Programs<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees in Music and Dance&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Facilities<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Dance studios, concert halls, and specialist libraries&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Students<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Over 1,200 students from around the world&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Famous Alumni<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Debbie Wiseman, Sir Matthew Bourne, Fela Kuti&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>London, United Kingdom&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing the right music school is a big step toward a successful career in the arts. London\u2019s top music schools like <strong>RCM<\/strong>, <strong>RAM<\/strong>, and <strong>Guildhall<\/strong> offer <strong>incredible opportunities, expert teachers<\/strong>, and a chance to join the ranks of famous alumni. With each school offering something unique, from classical music to cutting-edge performance spaces, there\u2019s a perfect place for every aspiring artist. Take your passion for music to the next level and discover where your talent can truly shine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Finding the top schools is just the first step\u2014next, secure a safe and convenient student home!<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moving to London to pursue your passion for music? Secure a <strong>safe, comfortable, and student-friendly accommodation<\/strong> near your university with <strong>University Living<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f <strong>Verified<\/strong> student homes<br>\u2714\ufe0f <strong>Close to top music schools<\/strong><br>\u2714\ufe0f <strong>24\/7 support for a hassle-free experience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Book your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/united-kingdom\/city\/london\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">student accommodation in London<\/a> today!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>London is home to some of the best music schools in the world, attracting talented students from across the globe. Whether you dream of becoming a professional musician, composer, or performer, these top institutions offer world-class programs, amazing facilities, and the chance to learn from industry legends. In this blog, we\u2019ll explore the top music [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":18666,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[974],"tags":[81,229],"class_list":{"0":"post-18643","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-admission-guide","8":"tag-london","9":"tag-united-kingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18643","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18643"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24317,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18643\/revisions\/24317"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}