Music is a blessing on earth. Studying music is not just about academics, as it also has aspects that can effectively heal your soul. However, choosing a suitable music school is a significant step towards your music career. 

This blog highlights some of the world's finest musical institutions, but remember that the best school for you is one that aligns with your specific goals and aspirations. This connection can blossom into a lifelong musical journey for aspiring musicians. To help cultivate these talents, a variety of schools offer exceptional music programmes.

Top 10 Music schools in the world

Juilliard School (New York, USA)

Established in 1905 in New York City, Juilliard School ranks highly among the best music schools in the world. The school was first founded as the Institute of Musical Art and was named Juilliard after Augustus D. Juilliard in 1946.

The school offers undergraduate and postgraduate music degrees, where you will learn everything about Instruments, Vocal arts, Jazz Studies, Historical Performance, Composition, and orchestral conduction.

• World ranking: #5

• Top courses: Composition, conduction, and Jazz Studies.

• ‍Acceptance Rate: 7%-8%

Royal College of Music (London, UK)

The Royal School of Music was opened in 1883 by King Edward VII. The school has trained many important musicians in the world of British and international music, such as Alfie Boe,  Roger Norrington, Vaughan Williams, and Holst. 

The school offers various programmes, such as the Bachelor’s degree in music, which offers specialisation in Jazz, Historical Performance, Music Theory, and Conduction. There are also numerous postgraduate programmes, including the Master of Music, Artist Diploma, and Graduate Diploma in Vocal Performance.

The college also provides courses for highly talented high school students, like their Junior and Piano Accompaniment Fellowships.

• World ranking: #1

• Top courses: Classical Instrumental & Vocal Studies, Musicology, Electronic Music Composition

• ‍Acceptance Rate: 5%

Berklee College of Music (Boston, USA)

Berklee College of Music is a private music school that was established in 1945 by Lawrence Berk. It plays a major role in teaching music and introducing new professional musicians to the world. 

The college offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for bachelor's and Master's degrees, which you can choose between taking online or on campus. Furthermore, the school provides summer programmes.

• Regional ranking: 39

• Top courses: Jazz, Modern American Music

• ‍Acceptance Rate: 35%

The New England Conservatory of Music  (Boston, USA)

The New England Conservatory of Music is more than a prestigious music school. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the school was founded in 1867, which makes it the first and oldest conservatory in America. It also stands as a keystone in musical education in the US and worldwide. 

This school offers a diverse curriculum and a wide range of musical disciplines, from classical instrumental and vocal performance to contemporary improvisation, composition, and music history. The school's Integrative Curriculum opens the way to develop musicians holistically, equipping graduates with tools for artistic excellence and sustainable careers in the music industry.

Many notable musicians called the school home, including renowned singer-songwriters Aoife O'Donovan and Sarah Jarosz, well-known for their work in Americana and folk music; pianist John Medeski, one of the founding members of the jazz fusion trio Medeski, Martin & Wood; and Don Byron, a highly respected clarinettist and composer who has explored both traditional and avant-garde jazz.

• Top courses: Classical Performance, Contemporary Improvisation, Music Composition

• ‍Acceptance Rate: 38%

Conservatoire de Paris (Paris, France)

Conservatoire de Paris is one of the best music schools in the world and the oldest as well, as it was founded in 1795. This school has nurtured legendary musicians, including Hector Berlioz, Frédéric Chopin, Pierre Monteux, Maurice Ravel, and Maurice André.

The school provides specialised training and programmes at the highest level in different music fields, including Classical and contemporary music (instrumental, vocal, early music, jazz), Composition, Conducting, Musicology, and analysis. 

• World ranking: #2

• Top courses: Classical music performance (instrumental and vocal), Composition, and Conducting.

• ‍Acceptance Rate: 5%

The Gnessin Russian Academy of Music (Moscow, Russia)

Situated in Moscow, Russia, the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music has a distinguished past and a justifiable standing as one of the top educational establishments and music academies in the world. Established in 1895 by the Gnessin sisters, who were all Moscow Conservatory alums: Eugenia, Elena, and Maria. They founded the school with an innovative curriculum that prioritises artistic growth in addition to demanding technical instruction, with an emphasis on recognising individual talent and igniting a love of music. 

The school provides a wide variety of programmes covering almost every aspect of music and the performing arts. These programmes include classical and folk vocal studies, composition, conducting, and classical instrumental performance. The Academy also incorporates general education courses with early childhood music education programmes to create a comprehensive learning environment.

The Academy has produced many well-known musicians, such as pianists Nikolai Lugansky and Denis Matsuev and conductors Vladimir Fedoseyev and Mikhail Pletnev.

• Top courses: Classical instrumental performance, Vocal studies, Composition.

• ‍Acceptance Rate: 30–40%

Guildhall School of Music & Drama (London, UK)

Guildhall School of Music & Drama is one of the most prestigious, oldest, and top music schools in London and worldwide. It was founded in 1880 as the first music school in Great Britain. 

The school teaches a wide range of music programmes to match different ages; from short courses, summer schools, and workshops for those under and above 18 years old, or various postgraduate studies, to many bachelor degrees in music. 

Courses offered by this school for undergraduates include BMus – Bachelor of

Music Honours is a bachelor’s programme that offers intensive, personalised training for performers, composers, and electronic musicians, with a strong emphasis on developing practical musicianship. 

Furthermore, a two-year online course called Guildhall Young Artists Online provides foreign musicians with a unique opportunity to experience the first year of Guildhall School's BMus programme through an advanced two-year online study.

• World ranking: #5 (tie).

• Top courses: Performance, Composition, Conducting, and Music Therapy.

• ‍Acceptance Rate: Highly Selective.

Moscow State Conservatory P. I. Tchaikovsky (Moscow, Russia)

Moscow State Conservatory P. I. Tchaikovsky is one of the best music schools in the world. The school was established in 1866 by Nikolai Rubinstein as the first music conservatory in Russia, and it quickly proved itself as a leading centre for musical education. 

The conservatory provides a range of departments that offer a wide range of disciplines, including Vocal Studies, which focuses on teaching and developing vocal techniques and principles. Orchestral Conducting, which specialises in choral and opera performances. In addition to Historical Theory, which is dedicated to studying and teaching music history and theories.

Over the years, the school has nurtured important musical figures, such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Sviatoslav Richter, and Alery Gergiev.

• World ranking: #8

• Top courses: Performance (classical), Composition, Conducting, Musicology, Music Theory.

• ‍Acceptance Rate: 36%

Curtis Institute of Music (Philadelphia, USA)

The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1924 by Mary Louise Curtis Bok. It offers various programmes, including bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and diplomas. 

The institution aims to train and educate young musicians with great talent to use the highest calibre of artistry to engage local and global society. It has brought to the world many remarkable musicians, including composers like Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Barber, violinists like Hilary Hahn and Joshua Bell, and librettists like Gian Carlo Menotti.

• World ranking: #9

• Top courses: Performance (instrumental, vocal, piano, orchestral), Composition (limited).

• ‍Acceptance Rate: 3-5%

The Peabody Institute, (Baltimore, USA)

The Peabody Institute, Baltimore is a part of Johns Hopkins University. It has a rich history and is considered one of the oldest music conservatories in the United States, as it was founded in 1857. The school offers a wide variety of curriculum focusing on classical, jazz, and contemporary music, as well as music education and music therapy. 

The school opens its doors to graduates and undergraduate students, as it provides bachelor's and master's programmes and diplomas. Also, students with the highest level of professional training are welcome to apply, thanks to the doctoral programmes.

Many notable musicians are alumni of this school, such as the great composer and pianist Frederic Rzewski, the pianist and conductor Leon Fleisher, and the trumpet player Wynton Marsalis.

• Top courses: Performance (various styles), Composition, Music Education, Music 

Theory, Musicology, Jazz Studies.

So there you have it. These were some of the world’s top music schools, along with all the reasons that make each of these schools special. The information presented here should help you make an informed decision about your musical future. 

Now, it's time to turn those dreams into beautiful melodies. If you’d like to know more about other top universities in the world, check out our additional blog resources, such as Top Universities in the UK and How to Find Yours, Top Universities in Australia, and Top Computer Science Universities in the UK about their rankings, top courses, and acceptance rates!