Have you ever dreamed of going to the best music production school? Read on to know the 20 Best Music Production Schools in the World 2024.
Table of Contents
Best Music Production Schools in The World
Embarking on a journey in music production requires not only talent and passion but also proper education and guidance. With the increase of digital audio workstations (DAWs) and technological advancements, the demand for skilled music producers has never been higher.
Hence, we’ve compiled a list of the 20 best music production schools in the world. So, aspiring producers can kick start their careers on the right note.
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music is one of the best music production schools in the world. has campuses in Boston, New York and Valencia, Spain. It is renowned for its innovative approach to contemporary music education, Berklee offers a variety of programs in music production and engineering. Their on-site music production takes about 1 to 3 years for Master’s degree programs. While Bachelor’s degrees require two to four years at an average of 5 to 10 hours per week.
Some Music Production programs offered
- Music Production- 120 credits
- Music Production- 36 credits
- Songwriting and Producing Music- 120 credits
- Electronic Music Production and Sound Design- 120 credits.
Also, Berklee offers online production programmes at Berklee Online. Some of its notable alumni are Gustavo Borner, Andrew Dawson, Keith Harris, Paul Boutin and Charlie Puth.
Full Sail University (Winter Park, USA)
Full Sail’s Music Production Bachelor’s Degree program provides hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and software.
Music Production programs offered
- Audio Arts Bachelor of Science Completion Program | Audio Production Concentration
- Audio Arts Bachelor of Science Completion Program | Music Production Concentration
- Audio Arts Undergraduate Certificate
- Audio Production Associate of Applied Science
- Music Production Associate of Applied Science
Furthermore, Full Sail University offers online and on-site programmes that begin monthly. So, interested candidates can learn at their own pace.
Abbey Road Institute
Abbey Road Institute is a specialist music production school which serves as a training ground for music producers and sound engineers. With campuses in London, Amsterdam, Miami, Paris, and more, Abbey Road Institute offers immersive music production programs taught by industry professionals.
Some Programmes offered:
- Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering
- SONG PRODUCTION MASTERCLASS
- MUSIC THEORY FOR PRODUCERS
Furthermore, Abbey Road consists of three recording studios with a number of mixing, mastering and copying rooms.
SAE Institute
School of Audio Engineering (SAE) was established in Sydney in 1976. Now, it has 52 campuses in 21 countries around the globe. Fortunately, 5 locations are in the US. It offers audio engineering and music production programs at its campuses worldwide, providing students with practical skills and industry connections.
Its BA/BSc (Hons) Audio Production Degree, is a 2 year Audio Production degree across music production, live sound, film, games, audio drama, animation, immersive audio and programming.
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University offers a bachelor’s program in Music and Technology. Its School of Computer Science collaborated with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the School of Music. Here, undergraduates learn Pro-Tools, audio engineering, computer music, composition, performance, and recording technology.
The Master’s degree allows students to specialize in computer music systems, instrument design, composition, or performance with technological support. Additionally, students can explore musical robotics, where computers execute electromechanical instrumentation.
The tuition fees and other expenses of Carnegie Mellon University range from $73,000 to $86,812.
The Music and Technology program covers:
- Audio Engineering
- Interactive Music Software
- Music Composition
- Music Information Retrieval
- Musical Robotics
- Recording technology
- Sound Synthesis and Other Fields.
Icon Collective (Los Angeles, USA):
Aspiring EDM producers actively seek Icon Collective because it is renowned as a top institution for electronic music production. The curriculum, designed for electronic music, offers focused coursework, whether students are in Los Angeles or learning online. Icon emphasizes technical skills and creativity, with mentorship from industry specialists for personalized guidance. The programs cater to all levels, from introductory to 18-month courses, accommodating students’ expertise and commitment.
Icon’s intensive music production programs focus on electronic music production, sound design, and artist development.
Some Programmes offered:
- Advanced Music Production Program ($ 41,333)
- Flagship Music Production Program ($ 27,555)
- Online Music Production Program ($ 14,995)
Point Blank Music School
Point Blank Music School was established in 1994. It has campuses in London, Los Angeles, Ibiza, Mumbai, China and online, Point Blank offers a range of music production courses which range from £6,000 to £15,750 depending on your course and nationality.
Some Programmes offered:
- BA (HONS) MUSIC PRODUCTION & SOUND ENGINEERING (3 YEARS)
- BA (HONS) MUSIC PRODUCTION & DJ PERFORMANCE (3 YEARS)
- BA (HONS) MUSIC PRODUCTION & VOCAL PERFORMANCE (3 YEARS)
- CERT HE MUSIC PRODUCTION & DJ PERFORMANCE
New York University (New York City, USA)
NYU boasts two top-notch music production programs: the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music and the Music Technology program at Steinhardt. These schools excel in different areas. However, they are highly regarded as some of the best music production schools globally. The Clive Davis Institute focuses on recorded music, while the Steinhardt program emphasizes music technology. It’s no surprise that such excellence comes from a city that never sleeps.
BIMM Institute
With campuses in London, Berlin, Dublin, and more, BIMM offers music production courses taught by industry professionals.
The institute offers various music programs focusing on electronic music production, songwriting, and popular music performance. It provides hands-on experiences for students and has staff and lecturers connected to the music industry. This ensures students gain valuable skills and expertise for success in music production.
Some Programmes offered:
- CertHE Music
- Music and Sound Production
- Electronic Music Production
- Music Production
- Music Production & Music Business
- Songwriting & Music Production
UK students are expected to pay £9,250 for their courses while international students have some added fees.
EMS – Electronic Music School (Berlin and Cologne)
EMS is an electronic music school in Germany which offers courses in Berlin and Cologne. Using Ableton Live, these courses teach electronic music production skills like arrangement and sound design. The Beginner course meets for 3-hour sessions weekly over 5 months, making it convenient for those with day jobs. The Advanced course, lasting 3 months, delves into topics like track preparation for clubs and mastering, with one weekly session.
Tuition fees range from £850 to £1,475.
Pyramind (San Francisco, USA)
Pyramind’s music production programs combine technical training with creative exploration, preparing students for careers in the music industry.
Some Programmes offered:
- Complete Music Producer Program
- Complete Game Audio Program
- Electronic Music Producer Program
- Music & Audio Production Courses
- DJ & Live Performance Courses
- Advanced training in music and game audio production
Pyramind excels in electronic music production, offering top-tier training for aspiring DJs and producers. Their flagship course, “The Complete Producer,” covers diverse aspects of music creation, including band and film soundtracks.
Drexel University
Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, is a private research university. It provides a Bachelor of Science in the music industry focusing on recording arts and media production.
This program teaches students about digital audio workstations, music recording, arranging, composition, audio post-production, mixing, and mastering. The degree is offered by the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, which also provides co-op programs in the music industry.
Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (Melbourne, Australia)
Part of the University of Melbourne, this conservatorium offers undergraduate and graduate programs in music technology and composition.
Some of their programmes include:
- music core studies,
- music electives and
- complementary breadth subjects.
Shanghai Conservatory of Music (Shanghai, China)
The Shanghai Conservatory of Music was founded on November 27, 1927, by Cai Yuanpei and Dr. Xiao Youmei. It was formerly the National Conservatory of Music and China’s first higher music education institute
As one of China’s leading music institutions, the Shanghai Conservatory offers programs in music production and audio engineering.
Hamburg School of Music (Hamburg, Germany)
Hamburg School of Music offers a variety of courses in and relating to the performing arts, ranging from classical training in disciplines such as singing and drama, to theatre direction and music teaching.
The School of Music doesn’t demand tuition fees but students must prove their proficiency in the German language.
University of Southern California Thornton School of Music (Los Angeles, USA)
USC’s music production program provides students with access to world-class recording studios and industry mentors.
Its Music Production program runs for 4 years with 132 units. Students can also minor in Music Production and music recording with 19 units and 18 units respectively.
Furthermore, the tuition fee is $42,162.
London College of Music (London, UK)
London College of Music (LCM) is the largest specialist music and performing arts institution in the UK and has been in existence for over 130 years.
LCM’s music production courses cover topics such as studio recording, mixing, and mastering, preparing students for careers in the music industry.
Some Programmes offered:
- Audio Software Engineering
- Electronic Music Production
- Music Technology
- Recording, Mixing and Production
- BSc Sound Engineering
Tuition at LCM goes for £9,250 for UK students and £16,250 for international students.
JMC Academy
John Martin Cass Academy School of Creative Industries stands as a premier private institution. It is well-known for its excellence in music production and creative entertainment. With campuses strategically spanning Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, the academy actively offers specialization courses in music production.
Students benefit from state-of-the-art recording studios, post-production facilities, and sound and TV studios, providing unparalleled resources to hone their craft. The academy’s curriculum actively emphasizes cultivating creative musical ideas, mastering recording production principles, and achieving proficiency in music technology applications.
Its Music Production programmes include a Bachelor of Music with a Specialisation in Music Production and a Diploma of Music with a Specialisation in Music Production. These courses are for 2 years and 8 months respectively.
The Los Angeles Recording School (Los Angeles, USA)
LARS is a division of the Los Angeles Film School. Due to its facilities and, it can be regarded as one of the best music production schools in the world. It was created to groom experts in Audio and music production which it offers online and on-site.
Its audio production program has a length of 18 to 36 months, depending on the degree. Additionally, the area of study includes signal processing and Effects, Live Sound Production, Interactive Audio and Show production. Music Production only runs for 18 months covering topics like Music Composition, Producing Music for Media, Recording Principles, Mixing Concepts and Techniques
Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (Liverpool, UK):
Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts was founded by Sir Paul McCartney. It offers a range of music production courses, emphasizing creativity and entrepreneurship in the music industry.
Tuition at LIP goes for £9,250 for UK students and £19,250 for international students.
FAQ
What is the acceptance rate for the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts?
The acceptance rate stands at 8%. Students admitted are around 500 – 1000 each year in its undergraduate courses.
What is the acceptance rate for Bimm Institute?
Bimm Institute has an 83% acceptance rate.
How much does Abbey Road Institute cost?
The full program fee is 16,950 USD per term, in addition to a $500 registration fee.
Wrap Up
These 20 best music production schools in the world are equipped with essential knowledge, skills, and resources to thrive in the competitive music production industry. With them, you can explore specialized areas like electronic music production, audio engineering, and studio management for your career path.
