Does music transport you to another dimension, where the churning guitars of Linkin Park’s ‘In the End’ pump you up and Taylor Swift's ethereal voice makes your heart skip a beat? Behind every song creation lies a good amount of dedication, teamwork, passion, and creativity. From The Beatles and Pink Floyd to One Direction and Coldplay, every great musical journey begins in the classrooms of the world’s best music production schools. So, sit back, music makers, as we take you through the 10 best music production schools in the world in this blog!
10 Best Music Production Schools Around the World
Step into a world where beats are born and beautiful melodies take shape. The best music production schools are not mere classrooms but places where talent, efforts, and creativity unite to produce music legends who make our lives more fun and exciting. You will find several best music colleges in the UK, US, Canada, and more. Let’s get on with exploring the 10 best universities for music production.
1. BIMM University
Ranking: #84 in QS ranking
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Fees: £9,250 - £9,500
Degree Offered: BA (Hons), BMus (Hons), and MA
Location: Birmingham, England
Course Link: Music and Sound Production
Pursue your musical degree in a city pumping with creativity and vibrant music scenes at BIMM University, one of the best music production schools in the world! The university has been churning out world-class musicians such as Mimi Webb, Gaetan Judd, and Adam Pitts for over 40 years now. The university features seven colleges across cities like the UK, Ireland, and Germany. Learn everything from performance, music business, and songwriting to production, event management, and vocals. Plus, talented students can also apply for the many scholarships and bursaries the university offers, including the Future Talent Scholarship, The Fatboy Slim Martlets Scholarship, and The Fair Access Fund.
2. Berklee College of Music
Ranking: #39 in Regional Universities North
Acceptance Rate: 54.2%
Fees: $45,467 - $50,000
Degree Offered: BA, BMus, MA, and MM
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Course Link: Music Production and Engineering
Welcome to the world’s premier learning lab for the music of today and tomorrow - Berklee College of Music! One of the best music production colleges, it offers a range of undergraduate and graduate courses in music. Situated in Boston’s lively Back Bay neighbourhood, the college has been training students in performance, production, songwriting, music therapy, film scoring, and music business since 1945. Over the years, the school has produced some really talented individuals like Okkyung Lee, Tariqh Akoni, and Mindi Abair. Get your hands on rehearsal rooms, dance studios, stages, and best-in-class recording studios. Plus, a chance to meet like-minded music enthusiasts like you.
3. University of Michigan
Ranking: #33 in QS ranking
Acceptance Rate: 17.7%
Fees: $24,601 - $25000
Degree Offered: BA and MA
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Course Link: Music & Technology
Known for excellence in research, learning, and teaching, the University of Michigan is considered one of the best universities for music production. Set on a beautiful green campus, the university’s School of Music, Theatre, & Dance enables students to hone their skills in the classroom, on the stage, and in the studio. Here, you will learn from highly skilled faculty, including Richard Aaron, Liz Ames, and Matt Albert. You will also get to be part of some amazing concerts, dance showings, instrumental ensembles, and choirs. The university also offers the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) scholarship. If you’re aiming to study here, then do learn about the University of Michigan acceptance rate.
4. Monash University
Ranking: #42 in QS ranking
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Fees: AU$38,700 - AU$50,000
Degree Offered: BA (Hons), BMus, and MA
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Course Link: Music
Established in 1958, Monash University is home to over 86,000 students, 17,000 staff, and 485,000 alumni. One of the best music production schools in the world, Monash University, offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music. Students will gain both theoretical and practical skills in music. What’s more? You will gain a global perspective and opportunities to perform in the university’s world-class spaces. You can also avail of the many scholarships offered at Monash, including the Monash Relocation Grant, Monash Kickstart Scholarship, and Sir John Monash Scholarships for Excellence. At Monash, one of the best colleges for music production, you will be part of several amazing clubs, connect with students from diverse backgrounds, and share invaluable experiences.
5. University College Dublin
Ranking: #171 in QS ranking
Acceptance Rate: 20%
Fees: €21,520 - €24,550
Degree Offered: BMus, BA, MMus, and PhD
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Course Link: Music
Focused on research and innovation, University College Dublin is one of the best music production colleges. Composers, producers, performers, and thinkers - become whatever you want here. You will get to gain deeper insights into music history, and the way music is shaping societies around the world. You can also apply for the different scholarships available at UCD. It is definitely one of the best music production schools in Ireland.
6. Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Ranking: #7 in QS ranking
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Fees: £9,250 - £10,000
Degree Offered: BMus, MA, MMus, and MPerf
Location: London, England
Course Link: Music Production in Logic Pro
Become part of a vibrant, international community of musicians, actors, and production artists at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Located in the heart of London, it is one of the good schools for music production. The famous alumni network of the school includes Alison Balsom, Anthony Marwood, and Jessica Case. From West End theatres to Covent Garden’s Royal Opera, Guildhall has world-famous cultural institutions at its doorsteps. You can pursue a range of courses in music, including Advanced Music Theory, Artist Diploma, and Advanced Aural Skills.
7. Manhattan School of Music
Ranking: #251 in QS ranking
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Fees: $47,969 - $50,000
Degree Offered: BM and MM
Location: New York, United States
Course Link: Music Education & Performance
Home to over 950 students from over 50 countries, the Manhattan School of Music is also one of the good colleges for music production. Nestled in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the school presents over 700 concerts every year. The Peter Jay Sharp Library and the Evelyn Sharp Performance Library are where you will find a range of recordings, books, music, and digital resources. You can pursue a range of courses, including musical theatre, jazz arts, and contemporary performance. You also get several scholarship options at the school.
8. Catalonia College of Music
Ranking: #51 in QS ranking
Acceptance Rate: 33%
Fees: £25,04 per credit
Degree Offered: BA
Location: Breisgau, Germany
Course Link: Production and Management
One of the best music production schools in the world, Catalonia College of Music, was founded in 2000. In Catalonia, you can enjoy and be part of several concerts, conferences, and master classes, which are also open to the external public. Here, you can pursue a bachelor’s degree in musicology, composition, jazz and modern music, and classical and contemporary music. Besides the Catalonia School of Music, there are several other best music schools in Germany.
9. New York University
Ranking: #38 in QS ranking
Acceptance Rate: 12.5%
Fees: $21,001 - $22,250
Degree Offered: BM, MA, BA, and PhD
Location: New York, United States
Course Link: Music Technology
A leading innovator in higher education, New York University is one of the best music production schools in the world. NYU’s Steinhardt School offers a range of programs in the music business, music education, music technology, songwriting, screen scoring, and vocal performance. The university provides theoretical knowledge with a keen focus on practical skills.
10. Carnegie Mellon University
Ranking: #52 in QS ranking
Acceptance Rate: 11.3%
Fees: $41,000 - $45,000
Degree Offered:
Location: Pittsburgh, United States
Course Link: Music & Technology
Last on our list of the best audio production schools in the world is Carnegie Mellon University. The university is home to over 14,500 students, 1,300 faculty, and 109,900 alumni members. Studying music at Carnegie means you will be part of an orchestra, chorus, wind ensemble, and chamber group. One of the best music production degree colleges that offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees. You can study instrumental performance, composition, electronic music, and music & technology.
How to Decide on the Best Music Production Schools?
‘Which music school should I go for?’ This is the question many students face when it comes to choosing one of the best music production colleges in the world for themselves. We’re here to make your life a little simpler! To make an informed decision on the top music production schools, you can follow the below steps:
1. Set a clear goal: The first step is to understand your aim. Do you want to pursue a degree in music as a hobby or make it a career? Do you want a short certification in music or a proper degree?
2. Location: Next, you must shortlist the country or city where you want to pursue your musical degree. This will be based on your budget, a place you’ve always wanted to go to, and the culture and vibe of the place.
3. Cost and financial aid: This is a crucial factor in deciding upon the top colleges for music production. Consider the tuition fees and scholarships offered by the university.
4. Curriculum and focus: When deciding on the good colleges for music production, get an idea of the course curriculum. See if the school offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of music production, such as recording, mixing, and digital audio workstations, with hands-on experiences.
5. Employment rate: Also, consider the employment rate when deciding on good schools for music production.
So this is our list of the 10 best music production schools in the world. As you embark on your musical journey, keep in mind to find an institution that meets your goals and gives you the opportunity to flourish and let your creativity soar. Attending these best music production colleges will help you forge long-term connections and pave the path to success.