Scotland is the place to study contemporary music

Music is big business in the United Kingdom. It makes more than £2.5bn for the economy annually but it's extremely hard to get a foot on the ladder. But with an increasing range of contemporary and traditional music courses now on offer throughout Scotland there's never been a better time to have a go.

If you're thinking of studying music in Scotland, the wealth of tradition here can inspire you. Folk music remains extremely popular. But more modern bands such as Franz Ferdinand, The Fratellis and singer KT Tunstall are now well-known in the world.

Musical training in Scotland is well supported by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Arts Council who launched their Youth Music Initiative in 2003. In 2008 Glasgow was assigned UNESCO City of Music status.

Here are some of the opportunities available if you're thinking about coming to Scotland to study music.

Courses

The following list doesn't show all the music courses available in Scotland but is an example of some of the opportunities you'll find in contemporary music training.

James Watt College (Glasgow area)

The Music and Performing Arts department offers courses including:

NC Urban/Electronic Music Production
Provides broad-based training in the composition and performance of contemporary dance music, encompassing the use of turntables, MIDI, sampling, recording, promotion and DJ skills.

• Entry Requirements: No formal entry requirements. Selection for the programme is by interview but prospective students should have an understanding of contemporary genres and proven musical/technical ability.

University of the West of Scotland (Glasgow area)
School of Media, Language and Music offering courses including:

BA/BA Hons Commercial Music
Incorporating performance, business, technology and sociology elements, allows students to select modules in Performance and/or Production and/or Industry Environment/Sociology.

• Entry Requirements:
  Higher - BBC including English and Music or a science. 
  A-Level - CC including Music or a science, plus three GCSEs including English. 
  Further Education - Advanced entry with relevant HND or Advanced Diploma in Music, Performance, Music Technology or Music Business. For other related qualifications contact the Admissions Officer.

Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama (Glasgow area)
Music Degree courses offered including:

BA Scottish Music
Offers a broad-based training to talented traditional musicians, enabling them to pursue a variety of careers, or further study.

• Entry Requirements: Based on audition, see website for details.

Lews Castle College (Highlands & Islands area)
Traditional Music and Gaelic department offering courses including:

HNC Music
Provides training in digital music recording and production.

• Entry Requirements: School leavers must have at least two Highers at C level or better. One of the Highers must be Higher Music. Entry is by interview and recorded/live audition.

FE Course in Traditional Music and Gaelic
This course is suitable for people wishing to increase their skills in traditional music and Scottish Gaelic. It also provides supportive learning experiences for those completely new to Gaelic and traditional music.

• Entry Requirements: No formal entry requirements for this course, but some previous knowledge of Gaelic and Music is desirable. Applicants will be asked for a live or taped audition.

Information correct as of October 2008

Related links

• Find out more about studying in Scotland
• Fiddle player, Aly Bain
• Singer/Songwriter, KT Tunstall
• Violinist, Nicola Benedetti
• RSAMD Principal, John Wallace
• Clarsach player, Katie Targett Adams
• Aly Jones – Works in music
• Musician, Toby Shippey
• Music festivals in Scotland