In India, Music is initially considered as a co-curricular activity in school but after 12th one can find different short-term and long-term courses. Short-term courses mostly include the certificate and the diploma courses and the Long term courses include the degree courses like the UG and PG courses.
The short-term courses are more precise and focused on particular topics and the Long term courses are conducted elaborately with both theory and practical classes.
The Certification courses in Music are available in both online as well as offline mode. Various online biotechnology certification courses are available on online sites like Udemy, edX, and Coursera. Check Top Music Colleges in India.
The below table shows the courses at different levels:
| Certificate Programs |
|
| Diploma Courses |
|
| Bachelor Music Courses |
|
| Master Music Courses |
|
| Doctorate Music Courses |
|
- The duration of these courses varies from level to level. It is from 3 to 4 years at graduate level, 2 years at postgraduate level and 1 year in case of diploma courses.
- Certificate programs related to the Music field can be as short as a few hours and can even run up to 1 year.
- Many online platforms offer Music Courses with zero fees also. Their programs are totally free and can be accessed, in some cases, for unlimited time.
- The top specializations in Music Courses include Vocal Music, Instrumental Music and Carnatic Music etc.
- After graduating, students of Music Courses get jobs like Performing Artist, Conductor in an Orchestra, Music Producer, Sound Engineer, Radio Jockey etc. The average salary for these roles ranges from INR 4,00,000 - 8,00,000 in India currently.
In India, Music is initially considered as a co-curricular activity in school but after 12th one can find different short term and long term courses. Short term courses mostly include the certificate and the diploma courses and the Long term courses include the degree courses like the UG and PG courses.
Check top Music Colleges in India here.
The short term courses are more precise and focused on particular topics and the Long term courses are conducted in an elaborate manner with both theory and practical classes.
The Certification courses in Music are available in both online as well as offline mode. Various online biotechnology certification courses are available in online sites like Udemy, edX and Coursera.
The below table shows the courses at different level:
| Certificate Programs |
|
| Diploma Courses |
|
| Bachelor Music Courses |
|
| Master Music Courses |
|
| Doctorate Music Courses |
|
- The duration of these courses varies from level to level. It is from 3 to 4 years at graduate level, 2 years at postgraduate level and 1 year in case of diploma courses.
- Certificate programs related to the Music field can be as short as a few hours and can even run up to 1 year.
- Many online platforms offer Music Courses with zero fees also. Their programs are totally free and can be accessed, in some cases, for unlimited time.
- The top specializations in Music Courses include Vocal Music, Instrumental Music and Carnatic Music etc.
- After graduating, students of Music Courses get jobs like Performing Artist, Conductor in an Orchestra, Music Producer, Sound Engineer, Radio Jockey etc. The average salary for these roles ranges from INR 4,00,000 - 8,00,000 in India currently.
Music Courses: Highlights
The Music Courses are pursued at different levels of both short term and long term courses. Below are given some highlights for the courses.
| Popular Courses |
|
| Duration |
|
| Eligibility |
|
| Average Fees |
|
| Online Courses | Available |
| Types of Online Courses | edX, Coursera, Alison, Udemy etc. (Includes Paid and Unpaid courses) |
| Top Job Prospects | Film Music Director/Editor, Music Critic, Advertising Specialist, Studio Musician, Music Teacher, Recording Technician, Artist and Music Journalist etc. |
| Average Salary |
|
Certificate Music Courses
The Certificate programs in Music Courses are offered through both Online and Offline mediums. The duration of the courses differs from institutions to institutions.
- Certificate programs of Music Courses are specially designed to impart the knowledge of different musical instruments, different types of courses, and other related components as well.
- Online courses are suitable for those employees who want to continue their jobs along with learning extra skill sets which can help them to learn some new activity.
- Most of these courses are self-paced and thus do not demand a lot of daily hours from you.
Those students who are looking for short-term Music Courses after 10th and 12th should opt for certificate Music Courses.
Earning additional certificates definitely offers one the opportunity to increase their pay package. For those who are starting their career in the field with a certificate course, the average salary is from INR 2,00,000 - 3,00,000 in the beginning.
Online Music Course Certificates
The table below shows some of the best Music course certificates available online on different platforms.
| Certificate Name | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pianoforall- Incredible New Way To Learn Piano & Keyboard | Udemy | 10 hours | INR 360 |
| Complete Guitar System- Beginner to Advanced | Udemy | 40.5 hours | INR 360 |
| Music Theory Comprehensive Complete (Levels 1,2 & 3) | Udemy | 12 hours | INR 360 |
| Music Production | Coursera (Berklee College of Music) | 5 months | Free |
| Fundamentals of Music Theory | Coursera (The University of Edinburgh) | 7 hours | Free |
| Developing Your Musicianship | Coursera (Berklee College of Music) | 5 months | Free |
| Music Theory: Instruments and Rhythm | Alison (Yale University) | 1.5-3 hours | Free |
| Introduction to Music Theory | Alison (Connexions) | 5-6 hours | Free |
| How to Write your First Song | ClassCentral (The University of Sheffield) | 6 weeks | Free |
| The Music of the Beatles | ClassCentral (University of Rochester) | 7 weeks | Free |
| Sound Synthesis Using Reaktor | ClassCentral (California Institute of the Arts) | 9 weeks | Free |
All the courses are available with certifications as well after the completion of the course. And besides these courses, there are several other providers as well with different types of online courses.
Offline Music Course Certificates
There are some institutions that provide offline Certificate Courses on Music. The courses are based on different types of music and also on related strategies and techniques based on music.
| Certificate Name | Colleges Offering | Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music Production | AAFT | NA | 7 months |
| Certificate Course in Music | Department of Music (University of Delhi) | NA | 1 year |
| Hindustani Vocal 102 | Mumbai Music institute | INR 9,299 | 12 weeks |
| Certificate in Performing Arts- Hindustani Music | Indira Gandhi National Open University | INR 4,000 | 6 months |
How are Admissions in Certificate Programs of Music Courses Done?
Admission to the Certificate courses are done on the basis of merit. And after 12th one can enroll in different platforms to get the admission. There are no particular entrance exams either which are conducted for admission in these courses.
- Enrollment in online certificate programs is simply done by applying on the website of the course provider.
- Some premier institutes do analyze your profile and based on merit admission is done.
- In case of offline certificate programs, colleges might admit you on merit basis. Your score in Class X or XII (as applicable) will be considered in such a case.
Colleges for Online Music Course Certificates
Some of the colleges from where you can take up Online Music Certificate courses are:
| Times Higher Education Global Ranking | College Name | Admission Process |
|---|---|---|
| 401- 500 | Berklee College of Music, USA | Merit-Based |
| 31 | The University of Edinburgh, UK | Merit-Based |
| 8 | Yale University, USA | Merit-Based |
| 101- 125 | The University of Sheffield, UK | Merit-Based |
| 147 | University of Rochester, USA | Merit-Based |
Colleges for Offline Music Course Certificates
Some of the colleges from where you can take up Online Music Certificate courses are:
| Collegedunia Rating | College/ University Name | Admission Process | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | Mumbai Music Institute, Mumbai | Merit-Based | INR 1,40,000 |
| 7.9 | University of Delhi, New Delhi | Merit-Based | INR 18,750 |
| 6.8 | IGNOU, New Delhi | Merit-Based | INR 48,000 |
Diploma and PG Diploma Music Courses
Diploma Courses are generally of 6 months to 1 year and PG Diploma Courses are mostly of 2 years. While a diploma Music course can be pursued after you complete class 12 (Class 10 also in some cases), a PG diploma or post graduate diploma is pursued after completing graduation.
- Diploma courses focus on practical work and skills requirement for a career in music, which includes compositions, orchestration and arrangement and the practical implementation of historical knowledge.
- PG Diploma courses focus on deeper aspects of composition, production and learning of music fundamentals.
- These courses are mostly preferred by those who want to join the job sector soon rather than going for a regular education.
- Just like certificate programs, few online diploma Music Courses also give you the flexibility to choose from a huge set of specializations.
The average salary after diploma courses is around INR 2,00,000 to 9,00,000 in India. After completing the course one can work as a Composer, Music Attorney, Editor, Music Critic and many more.
Top Diploma Music Courses
Some of the popular diploma courses which can be pursued in the field of Music are given below.
| Diploma Name | Colleges Offering | Duration (Mode) | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Music Theory | Alison (Yale University) | 10-15 hours (Online) | Free |
| Diploma in Music | Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication | 3 months to 3 years | INR 2,69,000 |
| Maharshi Dayanand University | INR 2,000 | ||
| WLC College India | INR 10,00,000 | ||
| Whistling Woods International Institute of Film, Communication and Media Arts | INR 15,00,000 | ||
| Ramoji Academy of Film and Television | INR 3,50,000 | ||
| MGR Government Film and Television Institute | INR 46,000 |
Diploma courses can be pursued in multiple fields related to Music and Musical Instruments, technical equipment as well.
How are the Admission in Diploma and PG Diploma Music Courses Done?
The admission process is mostly similar for all the colleges and educational institutions. You need to fill the application form and apply for the course.
- There are certain academic institutes which hold an entrance test for the interested candidates.
- The students who clear the entrance test may also be called for an additional round of interview.
- However, in some cases, direct admission on the basis of merit may also take place.
Colleges for Diploma and PG Diploma Music Courses
Some of the PG Diploma Music Colleges of India are as follows:
| Collegedunia Rating | College Name | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.4 | Whistling Woods International Institute of Film, Communication and Media Arts, Mumbai | Merit-Based | INR 14,805 |
| 8.3 | Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication, Delhi | Merit-Based | INR 97,000 |
| 7.8 | MDU, Rohtak | Merit-Based | INR 55,480 |
Bachelor Music Courses
Bachelors in Music is a 3 year undergraduate course which is offered after completing 12th from any stream. The courses are offered through regular as well as part time mode. It involves proper practical classes for practice and to develop their skills towards music.
- The course can be provided through different specializations like in Hindustani Music, vocal music, Instrumental music etc.
- Major subjects which are involved in this are History of Music, Music Theory and Music Interpretation and others as well.
Students who are willing to dedicate full time to this field and make a long-time career should opt for the bachelor Music Courses, rather than going for diploma courses.
Graduates of Music Courses can expect an average salary of INR 4,00,000 to 10,00,000 in the beginning and later it can be increased with time depending on their skills and knowledge.
Top Undergraduate Music Courses
The table below shows the major courses available for music in India:
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA Music | Miranda House | INR 12,160 | 3 years |
| Ramjas college | INR 9,712 | ||
| IP College for Women | INR 6,663 | ||
| Calicut University | INR 1,127 | ||
| BVDU | INR 16,000 |
Also check top BA MUsic Colleges in India here.
How are Admission in Bachelor Music Courses Done?
Admissions in bachelor Music Courses are done through both entrance exams as well as merit lists.
- Some of the top entrance exams for UG Music Courses include BHU UET, Bangalore University Entrance Exam etc.
- There are entrances which are conducted for all the undergraduate courses like DUJAT, conducted by Delhi University.
- Some of the institutions also provide admission on the basis of merit or marks scored in 12th.
- Students need to have completed their Class XII from a school affiliated to a recognized board, and should have also obtained a minimum of 50% marks.
Colleges for Bachelor Music Courses
Some of the best colleges for undergraduate courses in Music are listed below:
| NIRF Ranking | College Name | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miranda House, New Delhi | Merit-Based | INR 14,160 |
| 3 | Ramjas college, New Delhi | Merit-Based | INR 13,495 |
| 43 | IP College for Women, New Delhi | Merit-Based | INR 29,600 |
| 76 | Calicut University, Calicut | Merit-Based | INR 48,000 |
| 98 | BVDU, Pune | Merit-Based | INR 18,000 |
After completing the course one can work as a Music Critic, Music teacher, Recording Technicians, Artist and Music Journalist etc.
Master Music Courses
Master Courses are pursued by those who are interested in studying Music at a higher level. These are specialized with different elements of Music and Musical Instruments. After completing the graduation, one can pursue this course.
- The duration of PG Music Courses is 2 years in regular mode but can be extended in distance learning.
- The Master Courses focuses on the history and origin of different kinds of music.
- Admissions here also are majorly done through entrance exams. One of the popular entrance exams for Master Music Courses is BHU PET which is conducted by Banaras Hindu University.
Even those students who are looking to enter the research field should opt for master Music Courses as they are compulsory to pursue a PhD course.
The average salary of Master Music Courses graduates in India is INR 78,000 to 2,16,000 per annum through Job options like Performing Artist, Conductor in an Orchestra, Music Producer, Sound Engineer, Radio Jockey, Music Professor etc.
How are Admissions in Master Music Courses Done?
Admissions in master courses are also done through both merit and entrance exams.
- Some of the institutions like Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, conduct entrances for the admission in the Master courses.
- Some institutions consider the merit list created based on the graduation marks.
- Institutions also provide placement and scholarships to the meritorious students for further studies as well.
Top Postgraduate Music Courses
Given below are details of top Music Courses after graduation in India.
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA Music | Andhra University | INR 26,000 | 2 years |
| Banasthali University | INR 67,250 | ||
| Bangalore University | INR 11,640 | ||
| Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University | INR 6,741 | ||
| Kurukshetra University | INR 6,710 |
Colleges for Master Music Courses
The table below shows some of the most sought-after colleges for studying Masters Music courses:
| NIRF Ranking | College Name | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Andhra University, Visakhapatnam | Entrance-Based | INR 35,000 |
| 55 | Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur | Merit-Based | INR 74,500 |
| 69 | BAMU, Aurangabad | Entrance-Based | INR 6,740 |
Doctorate Music Courses
Research courses are mostly oriented with finding new and innovative techniques to learn something new related to the field. One such course is PhD in Music which is oriented with different aspects of music like Historical Musicology, Analysis and Music Cognition etc.
After completing this in 3 year or may be extended according to the need of the topic, one can become a Music Educator, Researchers, Professor in Music field etc.
Top PhD Music Courses
Most popular course offered in the PhD program is mentioned in the following table with the colleges offering the course, average fees, duration of the course and the domain of the course.
| Course | College | Admission Process | Average fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD Music | BHU, Varanasi |
Entrance-Based | INR 8,368 |
| Mysore University, Mysore | Merit-Based | INR 11,000 | |
| Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur | Entrance-Based | INR 1,07,000 | |
| LPU, Jalandhar | Merit-Based | INR 81,200 |
How are Admission in Doctorate Music Courses Done?
The admission process is done on the basis of the rank acquired by the candidates in the PhD entrance exams.
- Admissions for the biotechnology doctorate courses are done through entrance exams like CSIR-UGC NET, UGC NET, GATE, etc.
- Some of the colleges also conduct additional selection processes like the group discussion and personal interview after the entrance exams for shortlisting the candidates.
- The basic eligibility for this is the completion of master degree or the PG diploma degree.
Colleges for Doctorate Music Courses
Here we are with some of the best institutes for a PhD in Music course:
| NIRF Ranking | College | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | BHU, Varanasi | Entrance-Based | INR 8,368 |
| 47 | Mysore University, Mysore | Merit-Based | INR 11,000 |
| 79 | Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur | Entrance-Based | INR 1,44,500 |
| 99 | LPU, Jalandhar | Merit-Based | INR 81,200 |
After completing the course, one can get a job in the field of film industry, as composer, as a accompanist, music author and many more with an average salary of around INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 per annum.
What are the Top Job Options after Music Courses?
There are various job profiles available after completing the Music course according to one’s qualifications and capability. There are several institutions which provide placement opportunities as well for different job profiles. Some of the job Profiles are mentioned below along with some skills required for that.

Source: College Websites
Musician
A Musician is responsible for creating and performing music in a variety of genres such as classical, rock, pop and indie, jazz or folk. They may work on their own, as a freelance artist, in collaboration with others or as a salaried member of a band. They need to perform at concerts, festivals, theatres and other music venues, participate in recording sessions and at many other events as well.
Starting Salary: INR 6,00,000 to 9,00,000
Skills Required
- Analysis
- Creativity
- Confidence
Composers
Composers mainly apply their knowledge of musical elements such as rhythm, melody and texture to the song. Some of them are also involved in writing songs and lyrics on their own.
Starting Salary: INR 3,00,000 to 5,00,000
Skills Required
- Knowledge of musical elements
- Creativity
- Organization
- Analysis
Music Directors
Music Directors are responsible for selecting music to perform, manage, performances and work with artists to ensure that they perform well. They lead practices and performances.
Starting Salary: INR 8,00,000 to 10,00,000
Skills Required
- Organization
- Composing
- Creativity
Professors
A Professor teaches students a wide range of subjects related to music and its related components. They deliver articles, perform research and instruct the students to perform the task.
Starting Salary: INR 5,00,000 to 9,00,000
Skills Required
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork skills
- Flexibility
- Adaptability
- Initiative
What Skills are Required in Music Courses?
For creating a career in any of the music related fields, there are certain skills which can be expected from the learner that helps the learner to develop in their particular field and can achieve progress in their career. These skills are also needed for future periods when a person is working in some job prospect for a company where they need to deal with different demands and situations to prove their capacity of working efficiently.
Creativity Skills
Creativity Skills help to convert a simple song into a new and refreshing one. It requires one dedication for putting new and innovative ideas into an old one to turn it into a new phase.
Creativity Skills Courses
Some of the best courses in Creativity Skills course have been listed below:
| Course | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creativity and Innovation | VINSYS | Classroom based | INR 7,500 |
| Managing The Creative Mindset | Copenhagen Institute of Neurocreativity | 2 days | - |
| Creative Thinking Courses | Coursera | 24 hours | Free |
Creativity Skills Course Syllabus
Syllabus covered in the courses which helps to develop creative skills are described in this section.
| Introduction to creativity | Analyzing personal preferences |
| Assessing your preferred approach to thinking | Creative awareness and techniques |
| Creating personal creative competencies | Issues resolving tricks |
| Collaborative creative skills | The creative environment |
| Group creative thinking | The iterative mind |
Creativity Skills Job Profiles
- Craft Artist
- Multimedia artist
- Designers
- Media and Communication workers
- Editors
Average Salary: INR 2,40,000 to 5,00,000
Organization Skills
To provide a balance between different works, organization is important. It helps to effectively complete the task and also create a positive image for the company which needs this skill.
Top Organization Skills Courses
Some of the best courses in Organization Skills have been listed below:
| Course | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organisational Skills | Reed | 4 hours | £16.49 |
| Organisational Skills Training Course | iStudy | 1 day and 9 hours | £25.50 |
| Three Steps: Organizational Skills Course | Udemy | 1.5 hours | INR 700 |
Organizational Skills Course Syllabus
The topics covered in the Organizational Skills course syllabus are mentioned below.
| Introduction to General organization | Planning |
| Time management | Scheduling |
| Coordination resources | Meeting deadlines |
| Prioritizing | Tools to fight procrastination |
| SMART goal setting | Team building |
Organizational Skills Course Job Profiles
- Travel agent
- Sales manager
- Event planner
- Project manager
- School administrator
Average Salary: INR 3,00,000 to 6,00,000
Music Courses Online Fees and Rating Comparison
Besides the degree courses, there are several other courses which are mentioned in the table below. The students can go through the courses according to their need and demands. Courses are mentioned with their providers, ratings and fees structures as well.
| Course | Provider | Duration | Ratings | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Your Musicianship | Coursera (Berklee College of Music) | 5 months | 4.8 | Free |
| Music Production | Coursera (Berklee College of Music) | 5 months | 4.8 | Free |
| The Singer Songwriter Specialization | Coursera (Berklee College of Music) | 5 months | 4.7 | Free |
| Pianoforall- Incredible New Way to Learn Piano & Keyboard | Udemy | 10 hours | 4.7 | INR 360 |
| Music Theory Comprehensive Complete( Levels 1,2 & 3) | Udemy | 12 hours | 4.6 | INR 360 |
| Fundamentals of Music Theory | Coursera (The University of Edinburgh) | 7 hours | 4.6 | Free |
| Complete Guitar System- Beginner to Advanced | Udemy | 40.5 hours | 4.5 | INR 360 |
| Music + Audio Production in Logic Pro X- The Complete Guide | Udemy | 40 hours | 4.5 | INR 360 |
| The Professional Guitar Masterclass | Udemy | 7.5 hours | 4.4 | INR 360 |
| Become a Great Singer: Your Complete Vocal Training System | Udemy | 23.5 hours | 4.2 | INR 360 |
| Introduction to Music Theory | Alison (Connexions) | 5-6 hours | 3.7 | Free |
| Music Theory: Instruments and Rhythm | Alison (Yale University) | 1.5-3 hours | 3.3 | Free |
| Diploma in Music Theory | Alison (Yale University) | 10-15 hours | 3 | Free |
Comparison of Online Platforms Offering Music Courses
Online Music courses offered by two different online courses providing platforms like Udemy and Coursera are compared with each other based on some parameters. The famous courses in each of the websites are compared.
| Parameters | Udemy | Coursera |
|---|---|---|
| Name of the course | Music Theory Comprehensive Complete( Levels 1,2 & 3) | Fundamentals of Music Theory |
| Fees | INR 360 | Free |
| Student Rating | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Enrolment | 71,696 | 219,564 |
| Duration | 12 hours | 7 hours |
| Created by | Jason Allen | The University of Edinburgh |
Music Courses: FAQs
Ques. What type of Certificate courses are available for Music Courses?
Ques. What is the duration for a Certificate course?
Ques. What are job profiles one can get after completing the Diploma courses?
Ques. What is Audio Engineering?
Ques. How many courses are present through an online platform?
Ques. Name some colleges available for Distance learning for BA Music?
- Miranda House, New Delhi
- Ramjas College, New Delhi
- Indraprastha College for Women, New Delhi
Ques. What are the specializations available for Masters in Music?
- Music Composition
- Music Management
- Carnatic Music
- Hindustani Classical Music
- Vocal Music
- Instrumental Music
Ques. Name some colleges available for Distance Learning for MA Music?
- Subharti University
- Annamalai University
- Jaipur National University
- NIMS University
- Periyar University
Ques. Who are Radio Jockey?
Ques. Name some top recruiting companies for Music?
- Commission of Fine Arts,
- National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs,
- National Endowment for the Arts,
- National Endowment for the Humanities
- Institute of Museum and Library Services etc.
Ques. What is the difference between BA Music and BA Vocal Music?







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