What does it take to succeed in music today? Is being technically brilliant enough, or is there more to the journey? How do students move from the classroom to the stage, and beyond?
Studying music or any arts programme is just as much about refining technique as it’s about understanding how the industry works. Experience is essential. Performing at festivals, composing for short films, or interning at studios teaches you how to meet deadlines, handle feedback, and deliver under pressure.
But industry exposure alone isn’t enough. Behind the scenes, a strong careers and enterprise team makes a big difference. From helping you build a professional portfolio to offering tailored guidance on contract negotiations, this kind of support shapes you into confident graduates. Some students get help landing spots in national music competitions or securing placements with touring companies too — opportunities that rarely come without solid backing from their university.
Preparation is everything, especially in a competitive industry. And at these three UK music schools, you’ll find just that:
Leeds Conservatoire is the UK’s largest and has plenty of music and drama programmes for students to explore. Source: Leeds Conservatoire
Leeds Conservatoire
With over 200 venues hosting world-class performances, Leeds is an inspiring backdrop for aspiring artists. At the heart of this creative hub is Leeds Conservatoire. Its lessons are grounded in what the industry actually needs, which is how 97% of graduates find themselves in full-time work or further study within six months. The secret behind the numbers? Collaborations with industry-leading partners like Opera North that give students access to industry insights and connections that set them apart.
Meanwhile, students regularly take the stage in The Venue, a 350-seat concert hall, or in the 120-seat Recital Room. Then, with help from the for what’s next. Besides job application support, resources like the Musicians’ Survival Guide and Q&As explore portfolio career tips, A&R and royalties, orchestral management, and more.
But the creative world is competitive, and the Conservatoire gets that. That’s why it provides even more support, from masterclasses to tutors. Drama students even get professional headshots and showreels, and all graduates can join Spotlight, a platform that connects them to casting opportunities across theatre, TV and film.
What makes all this even better? Leeds Conservatoire is dedicated to making arts education accessible for all. Not only was it the first UK conservatoire to remove audition fees but it is also committed to fostering a community that respects individuality. The Leeds Conservatoire Disability Support Team provides personalised adjustments for students with special needs, like making learning materials available ahead of time.
Student well-being is another priority. The Performers’ Wellbeing programme offers free physiotherapy sessions and hearing checks, ensuring students stay healthy and performance-ready. All staff undergo digital accessibility training too to create accessible learning materials.
Extending its commitment beyond campus, the Conservatoire recently partnered with Dark Horse, a theatre company that brings together actors with and without learning disabilities. This reflects the Conservatoire’s broader goal: not only to foster inclusivity within its walls but to shape a more inclusive performing arts industry for the future.
Join a community that champions diversity and prepares you for what’s next.
The Creative Careers Centre at RCM partners with industry consultants, arts organisations, and local communities to place students in real-world opportunities. Source: Royal College of Music/Facebook
Royal College of Music
There are many numbers that the Royal College of Music in London, UK is known for. It was named the Global No. 1 Institution for Performing Arts for the fourth year in a row. It’s widely recognised as one of the world’s greatest conservatoires, located in South Kensington, a district deemed the home of arts, science, and inspiration. It’s home to 900 students from over 50 countries across the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels – with 90% of them securing employment or further study within 15 months after graduating.
In this ever-so-demanding line of arts, RCM nurtures students with unique artistic styles that stand out. Students achieve holistic artistic and career growth as they participate in a wide array of performance opportunities. More than 500 events take place every calendar year at RCM, whether that’s in the 400-seater Britten Theatre – one of the city’s most beloved opera stages – or beyond campus. The university is located just opposite the Royal Albert Hall, where students often perform to global audiences at the modern Elgar Room. With the many visiting ensembles that visit RCM, students get to perform alongside professionals like the Brodsky Quartet or the Sacconi Quartet.
Since artistic skill isn’t the sole determinant of a successful career, the Creative Careers Centre offers tailored, one-on-one support throughout the process too. The Centre understands that to launch successful arts careers, students will need a strong hold of business skills. That’s why they work to host numerous workshops, special events, and professional development experiences – all to build up their CVs to become competitive graduates. Their entrepreneurial spirit is championed through RCM Accelerate, a grant that funds students to bring their initiatives to life.
Through RCM’s vast network of industry partners, these opportunities are rich and seemingly endless. The best part is that such resources aren’t just face-to-face events. RCM ensures that opportunities are accessible to everyone through digital resources, from masterclasses to performances with industry partners through video conferencing and lecture capture platforms. In 2021, RCM launched the Global Conservatoire in partnership with global institutions to connect students to different artists and talents across the world.
Want to be a part of RCM’s 9,500 global alumni network? Click here to learn more.
RCS’s roots are the main reason why aspiring musicians flock to its Glasgow campus every year. Source: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Founded in 1847, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) has been building on its roots as a national academy of music since its inception. Today, it has grown to become one of the most interdisciplinary institutions in the world –– with a new collaborative curriculum across music, drama, dance, production, and film.
RCS’s roots are the main reason why aspiring musicians flock to its Glasgow campus every year. Here, music teachers commonly hold positions in national orchestras. Within the past year, its teaching staff have won accolades such as Music Tutor of the Year, A Gramophone Award, a BBC Music Magazine Award, Jazz Educator of the Year and a British Composer Award.
Those ready to gain advanced knowledge from these professionals can opt to pursue one of RCS’s many postgraduate offerings. The year-long Artist Diploma was designed for music students on the cusp of a professional career, vying to hone a distinctive musical personality.
Meanwhile, the Advanced PG Diploma in Music enables students with existing master’s qualifications to further explore and progress within their discipline. It also provides opportunities to present solo and/or collaborative performances within a proto-professional musical environment, to harness new skills and perspectives, and to stimulate a critical and reflective musicianship — all of which will prepare students for the challenges of the profession.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
