If music is the subject you want to study at uni, then you’ll want to know which unis are best for this subject. Our guide pulls out the top unis for music across a range of student-focused criteria.
Updated: 18 Jan 2026
So, you want to study music? Whether you’re hoping for a career in music journalism, a career as a classical musician or even becoming the world’s next pop star, you’ll want to be thinking about where you go to study. To help you decide, we’ve used Complete University Guide’s 2026 music league tables to put together a list of some of the best places to study the subject in the UK.
University of Sunderland
Located on England’s north-east coast, the University of Sunderland is a well-regarded modern university with four global campuses and an international reputation for teaching excellence. The fully modernised main campus sits close to the coast and has all the facilities and amenities its student population need to achieve academic success and personal development. The campus is well connected to the rest of the UK by public transport networks and national rail services, with an international airport close by.
NEXT: Read what students think of the University of Sunderland.
Royal Holloway, University of London
Found on a picturesque campus in Surrey, Royal Holloway is situated a short distance outside the vibrant city of London. The uni has academics with specialisms spanning traditional, modern and world music, so no matter what your area of interest, you’ll find someone publishing high-quality research in the area here.
NEXT: Read what students think of music at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Royal College of Music
It should come as no surprise that students at the Royal College of Music have experience great graduate outcomes, considering its speciality.
Durham University
Set in a unique and historic location, Durham University offers a student experience like no other. Founded in 1832, the university is made up of 17 individual colleges, many of which nestle among the city’s cobbled streets. You could even find yourself living in Durham Castle – which, along with the city’s cathedral, is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site.
NEXT: Read what students think of music at the Durham University.
The University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow welcomes students from over 140 countries around the world, offering a modern state-of-the-art learning environment in the heart of Scotland’s largest city. Founded in 1451, Glasgow is a top global university and part of the prestigious Russell Group for leading research universities. Glasgow’s rich academic history is reflected in its alumni, who include eight Nobel Laureates, three First Ministers of Scotland, and two UK Prime Ministers. Albert Einstein himself gave a lecture at Glasgow on the theory of relativity back in 1933.
Cardiff University
With over 20,000 students and 100 different nationalities represented, Cardiff University is definitely a good choice if you’re looking for a large and diverse uni. Located in the capital city of Wales, the uni benefits from good transport connections via Cardiff Station as well as everything a capital city has to offer. The city is relatively compact, so you won’t have trouble finding what you need within walking distance. On your walks, you’ll find a wide range of bars, pubs and clubs to keep you busy at night as well as museums, galleries and cinemas to entertain you during the day.
NEXT: Read what students think of music at Cardiff University.
Queen’s University Belfast
A member of the research-driven Russell Group, Queen’s University Belfast is world-renowned for its research, and provides excellent quality teaching to its students. Centrally located in Northern Ireland’s capital, students are within walking distance of everything Belfast has to offer. The uni offers music students the chance to hone skills to professional standard, providing training to set students up for a career in music while also equipping them with transferrable skills useful for any graduate role.
Durham University
The top uni in England and the top university overall, Durham University is certainly an excellent choice for any aspiring music students. Congratulations Durham!
NEXT: Find music courses now.