One common debate is what is the best way for aspiring artists to succeed in the music industry. Do you learn and experiment on your own or do you invest in a proper music degree?

There are takers for both sides of the argument but opting for a music degree can have distinctive advantages. This blog dives into the importance of a formal music degree and the kind of career advantages it can offer.

Do you need a music degree to pursue a musical career?

Music is a relatively creative field and you, therefore, don’t technically need a degree to display your creativity or musical talents. However, pure talent or a passion for music cannot help you sustain a career in the intensely competitive music industry.

As a practicing musician, you need to have a comprehensive knowledge of music composition, theory, and insights within the music production process. A good music programme can provide you with all that and much more. Pursuing musical education also gives you a chance to interact with industry professionals and experienced musicians and learn from their experiences.

What type of music degrees are available for you to pursue?

The music education sector is a bustling one and you can choose from scores of music degrees catering to virtually every genre. The right music degree depends on your professional aspirations and interest in a specific genre.

Here are some of the most common music degrees that you can choose from to further your career in the music industry.

  1. Bachelor of Music Composition
  2. Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory
  3. Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition
  4. Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance
  5. Bachelor of Science in Sound Recording
  6. Bachelor of Science in Audio Engineering

What can a formal music degree in the UK offer you?

While your passion for music can motivate you to build a career in the industry, a formal music degree can enhance your employability. A quality music programme can give you industry expertise and relevant skills as well as expose you to the creation processes being used in the music industry.

Here are the top advantages of signing up for a music programme at a good music school in London.

  1. An entry into the competitive music industry: A music degree teaches you the ins and outs of working in the music industry. You are also exposed to different approaches of music creation and popular genres. Thus, the music degree can act as a foot in the door of the competitive entertainment industry.
  2. Enhanced career opportunities: A music programme is sure to boost your career prospects by making you industry-ready. You learn how to approach music producers, sign up with agents or register your music for the protection of your IP rights. Additionally, many music programmes offer placement assistance to help you land a well-paying first job.
  3. Improved chances of solo gigs: Many music programmes feature practical music and auditioning training which can help you find lucrative gigs in the industry. Some music programmes also have a work-placement aspect which can count as industry experience. Enrolling in such a programme can help you score a lot of well-paid gigs as a solo artist.
  4. An immense professional network: Immense networking opportunities are another prime advantage of studying in an established music school. You can meet and interact with experienced musicians and potential employers from the industry which can boost your career prospects.

What kind of skills can you get from a formal music degree?

A well-designed music course can provide you with many industry-specific and transferable skills which can help you establish and sustain a successful career in the music industry. Here are the top skills you can expect to gain from pursuing a music course from a good school.

  1. Communication skills
  2. Creative thinking
  3. The ability to perform under pressure
  4. A keen eye for new music genres
  5. Planning and organisational skills
  6. Self-discipline for regular practice
  7. Memory skills
  8. Critical reflection skills

Jobs and career options that you can get as a music graduate

As a music graduate from a renowned university, you can find a lot of diversity in the type of career roles available for you. Here are some of the most lucrative career roles to choose from in the music industry.

  1. Artistic director
  2. Artist manager
  3. Band director
  4. Chloral director
  5. Composer
  6. Music copyright consultant
  7. Digital recordist
  8. Disk Jockey
  9. Film score producer

Other fascinating career roles in this domain include music historian, private music teacher, sound engineer, sound designer or music therapist.

As a musician, you can work both as a freelance or a full-time artist. You can also pick up short contracts which can give you greater control over the type of work you do. Typical employers in the industry include music production companies, music retailers, media organisations and film production companies.

A good bachelor’s programme in music can help you carve a successful career path in the global music industry. Your professional prospects can be enhanced further if you pursue your programme at a renowned music school.

The London College of Creative Media (LCCM) offers a great BMUS (Hons) Contemporary Music Performance and Production that might be apt for you. The programme is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurial musicians who want to produce and manage their own music projects.

The course can help you develop versatile music literacy and comprehensive industry expertise. You also get a chance to learn and mentor under professional musicians who bring their expertise and experience into the classroom. LCCM also has a dedicated placement cell that can help you score lucrative career openings.

Click here to check out other features of this programme at LCCM.

Frequently asked questions

Question 1: Why should I focus on London as the centre for your musical studies?

London is renowned throughout the world for fostering a booming music industry. The city is famed for hosting the greatest number of live music gigs in 2017 throughout Europe.

Thus, choosing a music degree in London can expose you to multiple career and networking opportunities.

Question 2: How much can I make as a fresh music graduate in London?

Depending on your music specialisation, you can stand to earn a decent income as a musician in London in 2022. According to Totaljobs.com, an average music graduate in the UK can earn around £ 29,000 per year.

Question 3: What kind of academic options do I get as a music graduate if I choose to study further?

You might wish to specialise in a specific music genre or gain further expertise in the field of music once you graduate with a bachelor’s degree. In that case, you can choose from a wide range of courses as a master’s in music production or a doctorate in classical music.

Question 4: What kind of professional domains are open to me as a musician?

Music graduates are in demand across numerous entertainment and creative art industries. A few notable ones include arts and design, film and TV production, retail, education, and other industries.